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Governor Brian Sandoval recognized David Cairns of Reno as Nevada’s Veteran of the Month during a presentation in Carson City, March 20, 2013.  “I’m always humbled when I spend time with veterans like Mr. Cairns. His personal sacrifice is another example how important veterans are in our community and why it’s important we do everything we can to assist veterans in Nevada,” said Governor Sandoval.

Mr. Cairns has served veterans and his community since leaving the U.S. Air Force in 1981 as a Senior Master Sergeant. He has served as a three time President of Western States Racing Association and was a three term President of American Legion Riders. But it is his personal attention to each individual veteran’s needs which highlights his ongoing service to the veteran community.

While Mr. Cairns has assisted many veterans over the years, it was his ownership of a blind veteran and wife’s needs that brought attention to his service with the Veterans Service Commission.  By his willingness to sacrifice his time and personal expense to assist a fellow veteran and his family show only his own commitment to Nevada’s veteran community. “Mr. Cairns selflessness epitomizes the idea of veterans helping veterans and is another example of how veterans are valuable to communities throughout Nevada,” said Cage.

The Veteran of the Month program is managed by the Nevada Office of Veterans Services under the direction of Executive Director Caleb Cage. “Board members of the Veterans Services Commission review nominations and choose a recipient during quarterly meetings for the following three month period,” stated Cage. “Our office is very proud to staff this project on behalf of Governor Sandoval.” The public is invited to submit nominees for consideration by the Veterans Services Commission. Guidelines and a nomination application can be downloaded from the NOVS website at www.veterans.nv.gov and sent to the NOVS office in Reno. Candidates for the next quarter will be reviewed for their volunteer service and recipients will be chosen at the next Veterans Services Commission meeting in March 2013.