Honoring Veterans and Supporters

By Chuck N. Baker
(Las Vegas) — Three individuals shared the podium to receive honor and recognition for their volunteer work in helping veterans. In a special ceremony at the Grant Sawyer Building in Las Vegas, Terry Estabrook, was named Veteran of the Month, while Su Phelps and AARP Nevada shared the honor of being named Veteran Supporters of the Month.

Estabrook invested 35 years in the Army and the National Guard as a parachute rigger. As a current volunteer, he supports the local Fisher House that allows family members of veterans to stay at no charge while their loved one is in the VA hospital. He also volunteers with the Disabled American Veterans and places small American flags on gravesites at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery during various holidays. He accepted his framed award from Governor Steve Sisolak in the ceremony afterwards commenting, “It’s a great honor. I really feel humble.”

In receiving the award and honor of Veteran Supporter of the Month, military widow Su Phelps gave a moving commentary about being born in Taiwan and coming to the United States as the wife of a military veteran. Today she serves as the publisher of the Veterans Reporter News. She explained that as a publisher, she normally wants to be seen and not heard. “But today I want to be heard,” she told the attendees adding she is grateful to be a citizen of the United States. She said her newspaper is her way of saying “thank you” to America. She works on behalf of veterans to honor the memory of her late husband. Several people sang her praises during the ceremony and noted Phelps is often “like triplets,” since she is in so many places at the same time!

The second awardee was AARP Nevada, the organization for seniors that believes that age and experience can expand one’s possibilities. AARP Nevada was also named a Veterans Supporter of the Month. Accepting the framed award from the Governor was Barry Gold, the director of government relations for the local AARP chapter, and Wayne Leroy, AARP state president. Gold explained how the chapter promotes a Fraud Prevention Program, entitled “Prepare to Care.” The organization also provides education for former servicepeople to beware of “nine ways con artists target veterans,” including benefits fraud and Identify theft. Leroy commented, “We’re a team of veterans who also happen to be AARP members.”

In his remarks Governor Sisolak said “Veterans never ask why, it’s in their DNA. We can never do enough to honor our veterans.” He also noted his office is allowing additional funds to be allocated for the State of Nevada to hire more Veteran Service Officers adding, “I’m honored to be here today to praise individuals throughout the veterans community.”

If you would like to nominate a veteran worthy of the Veterans of the Month award, please click here: https://veterans.nv.gov/benefits-and-services/veteran-of-the-month-program/)

For Veteran Supporter of the Month, go here: https://veterans.nv.gov/benefits-and-services/veteran-supporter-of-the-month/