All Services Honored At Veterans Day Boulder City Event

By Chuck N. Baker

(Boulder City) — With strict COVID-19 restrictions in place, the Southern Nevada Veterans Home was able to celebrate Veterans Day this year with a small ceremony, a few dignitaries and lots of appreciation for the veterans in attendance.

The annual Veterans Day ceremony held at the Southern Nevada Veterans Home is normally staged in the parking lot and includes several hundred people. But this year that large ceremony was yet another event that fell victim to the dreaded coronavirus. Still, Veterans Day is too important a date on the calendar not to have at least some type of recognition honoring the millions of men and women who have served in the nation’s military. So a short and sweet ceremony was produced complete with social distancing and wearing of masks that assured that health rules were followed while still honoring the men and women who served in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard. This year, one speaker even mentioned the newly formed Space Force, which is still being created and developed by leaders in Washington.

With a welcoming statement by Veterans Home Administrator Eli Quinones, the Pledge of Allegiance led by Nursing Supervisor Poppy Hellgren and the “Star Spangled Banner” played by trumpeter Larry Ransom, the brief ceremony was off and running. Several dozen residents of the Home sat on the patio bundled up against a chill in the air. Quinones presented a plaque to Boulder City Police Chief Timothy J. Shea, a veteran of the Coast Guard. “He has been very supportive of our Home for many years,” Quinones said of the chief. In giving thanks for the award, Shea humbly added, “It’s an honor to be here.”

Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske represented Governor Steve Sisolak and read a statement he provided. He acknowledged that “Maintaining our freedom is not without cost.” He noted that Nevada has some 250,000 veterans, plus active duty personnel and members of the Reserve and National Guard. He reiterated what several governors have stated before him, that Nevada is determined to be the best State for veterans and military members.

Boulder City Mayor Kieran J. McManus spoke, telling the attendees that the community is honored to be the location of the veterans Home. He praised the home’s residents in “a spirit of gratitude and pride.”

Representative Steve Horsford told the audience that he knew the Home was taking great care of veterans as evidenced by its five-star rating. He and representatives of other elected officials all presented proclamations honoring the eterans Home.

When the speeches were completed, a home-town parade made its way around the traffic circle in front of the facility. Fire engines, Boulder City and State of Nevada police vehicles, and vintage collector automobiles in mint condition passed in review. They were led by three law enforcement troopers on horseback. Veterans Home resident Jonathan Vanaller commented about the parade. “It was pretty good!,” he exclaimed. He said that he and the other residents have been unable to go anywhere due to the virus, so they were pleased to be outdoors to witness the Veterans Day event. They weren’t about to let something like a pandemic take away the opportunity to honor their own on a special national day of remembrance.

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