Standing Room Only for Special Ceremony

(Carson City, Nev.) – The pandemic placed the monthly Veteran of the Month and Veteran Supporter of the Month ceremonies on pause. But a special “catch-up” ceremony, to honor recipients in northern Nevada who missed their in-person ceremony, brought out a crowd. The old Assembly Chambers in Carson City was packed as 16 recipients of the Veteran of the Month and/or Veteran Supporter of the Month were recognized by Governor Steve Sisolak, along with Veterans Services Commission Chair, Bill Baumann and Vice Chair, Mike Musgrove. Expect more “catch-up" ceremonies to honor our veterans and supporters in the months ahead. Congratulations to the recipients who are as follows:

March 2020

Ms. Alison Pratte is the March 2020 Veteran Supporter of the Month. She has dedicated countless hours to serving our veteran and military population through the Truckee Meadows Mayor’s Challenge Team and continues to support the health and wellbeing of our Nevada National Guard.

April 2020

Mr. David Sousa is our Veteran of the Month for April 2020. He has expanded awareness about the sacrifices of military families and participated in major efforts spearheaded by the VFW throughout Nevada.

July 2020 (In Memory)

Mr. William Danny McGinley is our Veteran of the Month for July 2020. Following Mr. McGinley’s award, sadly, he passed away. We honored him with a moment of silence. Mr. McGinley was an active member of the Sparks Elks Lodge. He hosted poker games, ice cream socials, BBQ dinners at the Reno VA. He arranged for veterans living in the Community Living Center to go to the Sparks Elks Lodge for a home–cooked meal, and supported veterans at the Center during Christmas.

August 2020

Wild Whimsical Women is the August 2020 Veteran Supporter of the Month. These ladies support veterans through many community events and programs like a “Christmas for Veterans Giving Tree,” where many household items went to veterans in need.

September 2020

Mr. John Warden is the Veteran of the Month for September 2020. Mr. Warden has served in many capacities within the American Legion, the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery Advisory Board and the UVLC. He also donates time as a CPA to help veterans with their taxes.

Ms. Wendy Simons is the 2020 Veteran Supporter of the Month for September. She has dedicated many years to NDVS as the Deputy Director of Health and Wellness. She also successfully oversaw the building of the Northern Nevada State Veterans Home, as well as many other programs within and outside of NDVS.

October 2020

Mr. Norman Allen is the 2020 October Veteran of the Month. Mr. Allen has worn many hats in the veteran community, such as long-time board member for VVA Chapter 989, leader and life member of the VFW, and board member for the Veterans Development Group.

February 2021

Mr. Robert Edwards is the Veteran of the Month for February 2021. Mr. Edwards has been involved with VVA Chapter 989 an VFW Post 3819. He also served as a “relief” driver for a van that transported veterans from Winnemucca to their VA appointments in Reno.

April 2021

Mr. Raymond Scow Sr. is the Veteran of the Month April 2021. Mr. Scow is always available to support his brothers and sisters in VVA Chapter 989, serving as Color Guard Captain, Homeless Veteran Standdown Coordinator, Parade Coordinator, Sergeant at Arms, and Board Secretary.

June 2021

Jerome Washington is the June 2021 Veteran of the Month. He is well-respected within the veteran and military community. He is passionate in his role with the Veterans Benefits Administration, and in his off hours, serves in many capacities for his respective DAV, VFW, and American Legion posts.

September 2021

Mr. Jesse Tiffany is the Veteran of the Month for September 2021. Mr. Tiffany has been dedicated to the veteran community by holding peer to peer counseling sessions, advocating for suicide prevention, addiction support, and many other programs that are beneficial to Nevada’s veterans.

October 2021

Mr. JR Stafford is the Veteran of the Month for October 2021. Mr. Stafford has been involved in many successful community events and programs: starting Military Appreciation Night with the Reno Aces, posting color for Veterans in Care Ceremonies, heading VVA 989’s role in the Homeless Veteran Standdowns, and much more.

Mrs. Brigitte Stafford was named Veteran Supporter of the Month for July 2021. Mrs. Stafford has executed many high-profile events for the Associates of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 989. Some of these events include assisting with National Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day and securing donations for Honor Flight Nevada and the NNSVH.

December 2021

John Dickinson is our December 2021 Veteran of the Month. His many accomplishments include serving in various positions within VVA 989 and conducting outreach events wherever is needed. He is also instrumental in the VVAs Scholarship program that supports northern Nevada students.

February 2022

Mr. Miguel Orozco is our Veteran of the Month for February 2022. He is known for his beautiful “Honor Escorts” when a veteran passes away at the Reno VA. Mr. Orozco is a Nursing Supervisor at the hospital. He found a way to continue these “Honor Escorts” throughout the pandemic creating a protocol, that included creating a flag and gurney that could be sanitized each time they were used. He made sure these ceremonies continued despite the challenges presented by pandemic.

May 2022

The Katie Grace Foundation is our Veteran Supporter of the Month for May 2022. Kimberly Weingartner and her organization have supported the veteran community through relocation gift baskets, bicycle programs, and many donations to the NNSVH to include laptops, planter boxes, hand sanitizer, and more.