Free Surviving Spouse Planning Session

By Len Yelinek  

(Las Vegas, Nevada) – The Southern Nevada Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) will be hosting a “Personal Planning and Surviving Spouse Symposium” on May 16, 2022, at the Clark County Library Theater.  There will be no admission charge.  Joining MOAA in sponsoring this educational event are the Nevada Department of Veteran Services, Humana, Nathan Adelson Hospice and the Veterans Reporter News.   

Starting at 6:00 pm, the event will feature speakers discussing steps every adult should consider to help his or her survivors before and after death to insure they are aware of their entitlements and financial benefits and how to receive them while avoiding costly probate costs.   

The featured speaker is Mrs. Virginia ‘Gail’ Joyce, a member of the MOAA Board of Directors and chairman of its Surviving Spouse Advisory Council.  She will discuss challenges a widow or widower faces when proper planning hasn’t been accomplished.  Gail is a Gold Star Mother.  Her youngest son, Sergeant James Casey Joyce, an Army Ranger, died Oct. 3, 1993, in Mogadishu, Somalia. The story of his mission is told in Black Hawk Down. 

Colonel Richard Marshall, USA Retired, will discuss how to plan properly using the “Surviving Spouse Guide – A Personal Inventory for Peach of Mind”.  All attendees will receive this guide. 

Colonel Ken Roberts, USAF Retired, a local attorney, will review important legal documents everyone should have and optional documents to help the surviving spouse avoid or minimize stress, taxes and legal fees. 

Fred Wagar, Deputy Director of Operations with the Nevada Department of Veteran Services, will provide information about the Northern Nevada and Southern Nevada Veteran Homes and Veteran Memorial Cemeteries related to eligibility, admission or internment process, costs and ratings. 

Event sponsors HUMANA, Nathan Adelson Hospice, and Veterans Reporter News will provide information about their services and will have representatives available during the reception to answer questions. 

Following all presentations, the speakers will answer questions from the audience, followed by a reception with hors d’oeuvres and beverages in the theater lobby. 

MOAA plays an active national role in military personnel matters, especially proposed legislation affecting active-duty personnel, the National Guard, retired community, and veterans.  Its primary goal is preserving earned entitlements for those in the military, Guard and Reserves, their families and survivors. 

The Southern Nevada Chapter promotes the purposes and objectives of MOAA.  In addition, we annually recognize an outstanding cadet in each of Southern Nevada’s 22 high school JROTC units and the two ROTC units at UNLV with awards at the school’s Spring Award Ceremonies plus an award dinner in the Fall. 

In June MOAA hosts the appointees who will be attending the service academies at a “Send-off Dinner”.  This includes cadets and midshipmen at West Point, Annapolis, Air Force Academy, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine academies. 

To register for the “Personal Planning and Surviving Spouse Symposium” go to www.MOAALasVegas.org.  The symposium commences at 6:00 pm and the doors will open at 5:15 pm.  The Clark County Library Theater is located at 1401 E. Flamingo Rd., Las Vegas. 

About Len Yelinek 

Len Yelinek, former Lt Commander, US Navy, is the President of MOAA Southern Nevada and the State Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.  He is a graduate of Las Vegas High School (1961) and the Univ. of Southern Mississippi (1965 BS; 1967 MS).  A former executive with Del Webb Hotels in Nevada, he owned Escape Travel/Tour Services for 36 years and then was a certified financial planner before retiring.