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Dozens of bills and resolutions are currently under review in the Nevada Assembly and Senate. Every two years elected officials grapple with proposed regulations concerning many issues. Several of those proposed laws are drafted to help the veterans community in the Silver State. 
 
Veterans and Military Day at the Legislature brings together those who are brothers and sisters in arms. The governor, members of the Assembly and the Senate, appointees from the Nevada Department of Veterans Services (NDVS) and other state agencies congregate to invest time and energy to formally and openly confer appreciation and affection for former and current Service Members. 
 
This year’s festivities began on the grounds of the Legislature with opening remarks by Kat Miller, Director of the NDVS, and the presentation of colors by members of the Nevada National Guard. The chair of the Veterans Services Commission, Bill Baumann, led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Sandra Tenbour sang the “Star Spangled Banner.” She is a retired Air Force Master Sergeant. 
 
Miller introduced Assembly Speaker Jason Frierson, an attorney whose background includes service as a Deputy Attorney General, being a member of the Nevada Cybercrimes Task Force volunteering at an elementary school as well as experience as a Deputy Public Defender. Throughout his years working as an attorney, he has continued his involvement with youth in the community, working as a football official with high school and youth football programs. 
 
Taking to the microphone, he spoke highly of the many veterans in attendance, and singled out some individuals in particular. “It is my honor to sit next to John Louritt who is the veteran today who we are honoring as Veteran of the Month,” Frierson began. “He is a decorated U.S. Marine who served his country in Vietnam. But his service to our country extends far greater than that.” Frierson then described the work in law enforcement that Louritt accomplished after his discharge. “John Louritt made it his mission throughout his life to serve his community. His service to his country, and to Nevada, is deserving of great praise and thanks from the Legislative members, as well as our citizens.” 
 
Continuing his praise for those about to be honored, he said “Today we’re also honoring our Veterans Supporter of the Month … Honor Flight Nevada.” Frierson explained that the organization has taken more than 800 Nevadans to Washington, D.C. to experience the nation’s capitol and view monuments dedicated to the specific wars in which they served. 
 
He concluded by saying, “It’s an honor for us to be here, and of course there is business over in the Legislature that we have to conduct. But we are here to honor those veterans that allow us to be over here to conduct that business. We are here to show our veterans that every day in everything we do we are working hard to make sure that what you fought for, we don’t take for granted.” He continued, “This is a reminder to each of us of the persistent dedication that you have, the men and women who have served, (that you) show this country on a daily basis.” Further, “Just as these service men and women commit their lives to service, we of the citizens Legislature must remain constantly grateful to these brave Americans who we are indebted to not just today, but everyday.” 
 
Miller Heralded praise on the next speaker. “It is now my very great honor to introduce Senate Majority Leader Aaron Ford.” She continued by saying “In addition to advocating for education, and a better economy, he is a friend and ally of veterans and their families, and also of those serving in the military.” 
 
Ford took to the microphone and began by noting that before giving his prepared remarks, “I want to offer a little insight into my heart right now. I have goose bumps standing before you, because of the sacrifices and the work that you put in for us. My brother is Army Reserve, and he stands ready to fight for and protect those living, and all that we enjoy here in this country.” As he concluded that sentence a flock of noisy ducks flew overhead, and their airborne presence was humorously acknowledged by Ford, bringing a moment of laughter to the otherwise serious proceedings. 
 
He continued by saying, “Veterans Day at the Legislature is a long standing tradition in Nevada. It’s a day set aside during our biannual Legislative session to honor those like you who now serve in our armed forces and those who have served, both living and dead. It’s also a day to honor the families and loved ones, the mothers and fathers, the husbands and wives, and the children and siblings who support, and supported them, during their service. These loved ones wait patiently at home, bearing loneliness and anxiety, and sometimes sorrow. Our military men and women are extraordinary Americans who have done extraordinary things. They answered the call of our country, and hazarded everything; their health, their hope for the future, and their lives, in every opportunity for our defense. It is proper that we should pause for a few moments to honor them today.” 
 
After a brief moment of silence, Ford continued his praise by saying, “Service in the military creates a strong and unbreakable bond. The bond of a shared experience, and danger that survives for a lifetime. As you know, many of the current and former members of the Nevada Legislature are former veterans themselves. They bring with them a deep understanding of the problems faced by those in the military and by veterans and their families.” 
 
Ford noted that a century and a half ago at the close of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln “spoke of the close obligation to care for he who has borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan. These words are engraved at the entrance of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, D.C. They remind us of the debt we owe to all of those who have served their country in the armed forces. How can we best honor our nation’s veterans and those who gave their lives for our country by serving the country that they loved so well, and for which they sacrificed so much? As we leave this day, let us resolve that we will serve our country and honor our military men and women by strengthening the bonds that bind all Americans together. By rejecting the voices of suspicion and hatred that threaten to divide us from one another and to weaken our country. Let us resolve that we will reach out to all of the people of this great nation including those who are different from us … In doing so we can show our devotion to that great cause to which the members of our armed forces have given so much.” 
 
Ford ended his talk by describing Phillip Freneau, known as “The Poet of the American Revolution.” Freneau died in 1832 and was a witness to the Revolution, experiencing life as a soldier, a veteran, a sea captain, a newspaper editor and a polemicist. Ford praised Freneau in that his poems often honored those citizens who fought “for that great cause” and bled and died for the nation. 
 
Miller heaped praise upon the two legislators for their remarks and explained to the crowd that the men showed up on schedule and stayed within the prepared time line. To a loud round of applause, and with a twinkle in her eye, Miller noted that “For the military, there’s nothing worse than standing around waiting for ammo or chow. Thank you gentlemen … that was amazing!” 
 
Moving on, she explained that the Nevada Veteran of the Month (VOM) Program recognizes former servicemen and women throughout the state who go above and beyond the call of duty in support of veterans and the military and the community through volunteerism. “It’s an opportunity for all of us to shine a bright light on the work veterans continue to do for our nation once they leave service.” The state’s Veterans Service Commission assists in the selection of the monthly honorees. 
 
John Louritt was named Veteran of the Month for March of this year. He was seated on the stage as Miller read his biography and noted that among other volunteer work, Louritt is a Certified Nevada Veterans Advocate, a program that trains individuals to assist others who qualify for benefits from the state and from the VA. He also helps veterans by volunteering through other agencies. “It is for this service and love of community” that he has been singled out for honors, she said. Louritt was asked to approach the podium, and Miller asked Gov. Sandoval and Bill Baumann to do the honors. They attached a “VOM” pin to Louritt’s sweater and presented an official VOM certificate. 
 
In a separate interview, Louritt said he joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1966, “There was no doubt about going to Vietnam,” he explained. A resident of South Lake Tahoe, he said that “My dad retired out of the Navy out of Fallon, so I spent my last three years of high school in South Lake Tahoe, and went to junior college for a year. Then I joined the Marines.” 
 
After basic training, his work in Vietnam was assured when he was sent to ammunitions school. “I was an ammo tech, basically a part of a supply unit that takes care of the ammo. Everything from little bullets to bombs and all kinds of things. We supplied the ammo.” 
 
When he arrive in Vietnam he was stationed at the DaNang ammunition dump. “We worked in the dump all day, and at night we would run patrols or stand guard.” He did get to sleep a bit in between assignments. Working with ammunition can be dangerous, but after awhile “it was a regular routine,” he said. 
 
After 22 months in Vietnam he was sent to Camp Pendleton to serve out his enlistment, which totaled four years. He left as a Sergeant E-5. When he had attended college he also worked for Harvey’s Casino. When he returned to the States he was able to get his job back. He also joined the police force reserve, and later tested for and was hired as a regular police officer. Even then he was involved as a volunteer in the community, as a coach of Pop Warner Football, and as a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He ran for the local school board, and came in third. But the winner was unable to keep the position, and Louritt was appointed in his place. In the ensuing years he was duly elected and kept the seat to become a valuable member of the board. 
 
He is also a member of the volunteer board of Senior Service, a program of the Douglas County board of commissioners. And he volunteers with the Young at Heart board for the elderly that assists local seniors, and is also involved with the Parks and Recreation division of Douglas County. 
 
Married for 48 years, he and his wife have one daughter. Part of his commitment to veterans stems from his 30-year membership in the Elks Lodge. He explained that one day an Elks representative approached him and “I was asked to take part in a veterans boot camp, where individuals learn more about government rights for veterans. We were sponsored by the Partnership for Community Resources. We got a grant.” Later, he joined the local WAVE’s — Welcome All Vets Everywhere — where members help veterans in and around Douglas County. 
 
Along the way he learned about the Veterans Advocate program, a course produced by the Nevada Department of Veterans services. “It’s on-line. I took the 20 segments and passed them all. I was given Certificate Number Four in the whole state.” 
 
Having received training in veterans benefits through the various programs he undertook, he began putting in several days a month at the Community Center in Douglas County. “I meet veterans in the conference room there to discuss their benefits. The NDVS gave me a Veterans Service Officer, Jim Babb, out of Fallon. He’s a part of the state’s ROVER program who go to rural areas and help veterans file claims. He comes over and we work with vets and file their claims.” Describing his part in the process, he laughed and said, “You could call me the front man.” His help touches many, but there are many yet to be helped. “We have between five and six thousand veterans in the Douglas area. I try to make contact with them and point them in right direction and get them moving,” Louritt said. He also encourages veterans to become Veterans Advocates, and even to go on and become certified Service Officers. 
 
It’s a goal that Louvitt himself may aspire to some day soon. 
 
After Louritt’s presentation, Miller announced the name of the Veterans Supporter of the Month for March. “This distinction recognizes both organizations and non-veteran community members who provide exceptional support” to military, veterans and their families, she said. The award was presented to Honor Flight Nevada. Seven board members of the organization took the stage to loud applause. Miller explained how the group sends veterans to Washington to visit war memorials, and “Because of Honor Flight Nevada there is no cost to our veterans.” She noted the group “has provided hundreds of veterans with once in a lifetime experiences.” Gov. Sandoval then congratulated each board member and shook hands with each one. 
 
Miller then introduced “The man who will stop at nothing to make sure that Nevada is the most veteran and military state in the nation, Governor Brian Sandoval.” 
 
Sandoval began by saying that he was humbled to be in the presence of “so many men and women who I admire so much.” He said that Nevada continues to serve its veterans “as well as they have served us. We take care of our own, and military families deserve nothing less.” 
 
About the military and former military members he was addressing, he told them “You have my heartfelt and eternal gratitude for your service and your sacrifice. There’s no tribute, no handshake, no parade that can truly capture the magnitude of one’s answering the call to serve our country.” 
 
Sandoval then announced that he was honored to sign legislation concerning veterans that was passed with bi-partisan support. “These are the first three bills of this session.” The first was A.B. 24, which codifies provisions governing college tuition charges assessed against out of state Gold Star spouses and children, and exempts them from tuition under stated conditions. Next was S.B. 70, that mandates the state preserve items left at the Veterans Memorial on the grounds of the Grant Sawyer building in Las Vegas. Those items deemed to be of historical value will be claimed for safekeeping and transfered to museums or other proper organizations. The third bill was S.B. 58 that adds a seat on the Veterans Commission for student veterans and women veterans. 
 
Sandoval then announced that “there is one more item” that he is committed to, a veterans home in the Northern part of the state. “It will fill a gap providing much needed skilled care to our veterans,” he said. He has implemented in his budget more than 43 million dollars to be advanced to begin construction of such a home on July 17 of this year. The home is expected to open its doors In February or March of 2019. The structure will include a community center for veterans to gather and hold meetings and other functions. 
 
Shortly after his remarks, he signed the bills with ceremonial pens and presented them to individuals who aided in preparation and passage of the legislation. 
 
Miller concluded the program by inviting all to attend meetings in the Assembly and the Senate chambers where a resolution was to be read to honor Nevada’s fallen. 
 
In a brief interview later, Miller was asked how legislation for financing the Northern Veterans Home came about. “It was the governor’s idea,” she reported. 
 
“We were waiting for the federal grants to come through, but the governor wasn’t willing to have our veterans wait any longer. So he was the one that came to us and said ‘Is this executable?’ and we said ‘absolutely’.” 
 
She added that “This was all the governor. It had nothing to do with the Department of Veterans Services.” Miller pointed out matching funds will be paid to Nevada from the VA’s portion of the federal budget. Nevada is currently number 50 on the list of projects to be funded by Washington. But rather than wait to get to number one, Sandoval will use local funds now and collect the federal money when Nevada reaches the top of the VA list. Miller said it was also the governor’s idea to make the home a community facility. “There will be a very vibrant town hall … we want to bring the world to our veterans center,” Miller said. She was asked about adding similar facilities to the existing veterans home in Boulder City. She said the state is looking at a number of different options including an adult medical day care facility. “But we are in the very early planning stages.” 
 
When asked, Governor Sandoval said a veterans home in the North “has been a priority for me for many years and this is the time I want to get it done.” The governor explained, “We are in constant communication with Washington” about the project and Nevada will seek matching funds as soon as they are available. 
 
Andrew LePeilbet and Gil Hernandez of the Military Order of the Purple Heart were honored in the Assembly and the Senate with a continuing resolution that made Nevada a Purple Heart State. “It recognizes for now and forever all killed in action and wounded in action from the State of Nevada,” LePeilbet said. “The resolution asks the entire state to treat all Purple Heart recipients with special respect because they shed their blood on the battlefields of the world.” LePeilbet is the Adjutant and Legislative Officer and Past State Commander of the local Purple Heart organization. In addition, both houses issued a joint resolution to honor Nevada’s fallen.