Message from the Director – June 2022

To my fellow veterans, families, and supporters:

There is a lot of new information to share with you this month. At the top of the list is a shift in NDVS personnel. I’m pleased to announce I have appointed Evan Rush, our former Southern Nevada Community Outreach Director, to serve as the new Deputy Director of Benefits. 

Evan is known and well respected within the veterans’ community. His strengths of teamwork, collaboration, and flexibility set him above a very talented pool of candidates, who also vied for the position. He will oversee our two State Veterans Memorial Cemeteries, the Veterans Advocacy and Support Team, the Community Outreach Team, and Emergency Management Operations.

Another significant personnel change is taking place on the Veterans Services Commission. Outgoing Chairman Bill Baumann announced his retirement earlier this year. His term ends on June 30^th. Chairman Baumann has served Nevada veterans well.  I encourage you to read more about his work over the years under Honoring Our Heroes. Chairman Baumann improved the lives of so many Nevada veterans, service members and their families and we thank him for his selfless service.

Last month, veterans and their supporters across the state honored and remembered our fallen and departed heroes on Memorial Day. It was nice to see so many of you turn out for Flag-In and attend the Memorial Day ceremonies at both our State Memorial Cemeteries. I encourage you to check out the photos and the recap of the Memorial Day events, also under Honoring Our Heroes.  

Looking forward, June marks several significant anniversaries. June 16^th is set aside as a National Day of Recognition for Nursing Assistants. Our Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) are key players, who provide necessary and needed support at our State Veterans Homes. Under Health and Wellness, a profile, highlighting a day in the life of CNA, places a spotlight on these healthcare professionals.

Speaking of our CNAs, my congratulations go out to the third graduating class of the PFC David “Nick” Crombie Certified Nursing Assistant Training Academy. They are set to graduate on June 7^th. The Crombie Academy is a FREE CNA training program that prepares graduates for Nevada’s CNA Certification Exam. Crombie Academy graduates who pass the exam will have potential CNA job opportunities at the Southern Nevada State Veterans Home.  CLICK HERE if you want to learn more about the academy or to apply to be considered as a participant of the program.

Another important anniversary is June 25^th. It marks the 72nd anniversary of the start of the Korean War. To mark the occasion, NDVS is again making available the nationally acclaimed book and DVD set, Korea Reborn: A Grateful Nation Honors War Veterans for 60 Years of Growth and the 2014 GI Film Festival documentary, Remembered War. The book/DVD set is a gift from the South Korean government and is available to Korean War veterans for FREE. Korean War veterans may obtain their gift by emailing pio.ndvs@veterans.nv.gov to learn how to obtain their copy.  

Finally, the entire month of June is designated as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month with June 27th designated as PTSD Awareness Day. We hope this month-long recognition and day of observance will bring awareness and understanding that PTSD treatments are not only available, but they work and can lead to a better life. Learn more about this issue under the Health and Wellness section in this newsletter. 

Thank you so very much for your continued support of Nevada’s military community and our veterans and their families. Please look at our calendar online HERE for more information about our upcoming events and I look forward to seeing you this summer. 

Respectfully,

Fred Wagar
NDVS Director