Memorial Day Ceremonies in Northern and Southern Nevada

By NDVS Staff Members
(Fernley, NV) — Governor Steve Sisolak was among those who paid tribute and honor to our fallen military heroes during the annual Memorial Day ceremony at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley. This year, the ceremony paid special honor to women who have or are serving in the U.S. military.

In Boulder City, the “Battle Born Ruck to Remember” added a new element to the annual Memorial Day ceremony. A group of 250 students from Truckee Meadows Community College in the north and the University of Las Vegas in the south, combined forces to conduct a 400-mile group marathon known as Operation Battle Born Ruck March. The end to the march became part of the ceremony.

Summaries of the ceremonies are below.

NORTHERN NEVADA

In his remarks, Governor Sisolak mentioned the names of women who have served throughout America’s history starting with Deborah Sampson. She is the first female American soldier, who enlisted as a Continental Army soldier under the name, “Robert Shurliff.” He also noted the names of the women over the years who have broken glass ceilings within the military, including the Nevada National Guard.

More than 2,000 people jammed under tents and stood in the warm sunshine. The bright sunlight and blue skies were welcomed by the Master of Ceremony, NDVS Director Kat Miller. She made note and gave thanks to applause as dark clouds that had been hanging around all morning suddenly gave way as the ceremony began.

In addition to the Governor, U.S. Army Captain Kandace Gonzalez also served as a keynote speaker. The decorated combat soldier began her career by joining the Nevada National Guard in 2003 as an enlisted medic.  Gonzalez served as MEDEVAC black hawk pilot, with duty assignments that include; Aeromedical Platoon Leader, Charlie Medical Company Executive Officer, 991st Aviation Headquarters and Headquarters Company Commander, and 991st Aviation Troop Command Logistics Officer. She is currently the Aide-de-Camp for the Nevada Army National Guard General Officers.

Each year, the Nevada Veterans Coalition organizes the Memorial Day ceremony at the Fernley cemetery. Its Honor Guard posted the colors. There were performances by the Maytan Band and music, including Amazing Grace, played by the Sierra Highlanders Pipe and Drum Band. The Coalition’s Honor Guard Rifle Squad ended the ceremony with a three-man volley followed by the Coalition’s Honor Guard Buglers who concluded the ceremony with Echo Taps.

There were a number of dignitaries who attended the ceremony, including Senators Catherine Cortez-Masto and Jacky Rosen, Congressman Mark Amodei, as well as state and local elected leaders.

SOUTHERN NEVADA

Four days prior, students began a long trek, starting at the Battle Born Memorial to Nevada’s Fallen Military Memorial in Carson City. All along the route, they passed ruck sacks from one group to the other every few miles. The sacks carried replica dog tags of more than 6,950 American military personnel who lost their lives in U.S. wars since 9/11, 58 of whom were from Nevada.

During the Boulder City Memorial ceremony, the last group of students reached Boulder City, led by UNLV Rebel Vets President Sean Brown. Brown handed the 58 engraved pieces of metal, patriotically wrapped in a red, white and blue cloth, to Nevada Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske, who was representing Governor Steve Sisolak.

Other highlights of the ceremony included the keynote speaker; Judge Mark Stevens, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and the Chief Judge of the Henderson Municipal Court, as well as the head of the city’s Veterans Treatment Court. Among other comments, he explained how Memorial Day was initially named Decoration Day to honor those who fought in the Civil War. It became an official federal holiday in 1971.

The judge noted that each gravesite at Boulder City’s Veterans Memorial Cemetery had been decorated with small American flags, making an impressive visual experience and a fitting tribute to those interred at the cemetery. He encouraged attendees to walk through the grounds and read the inscriptions on the markers, noting the names of the men and women laid to rest, and making mental notes of the dates they were in the military while considering the nation’s history behind their service.

This year’s gathering of thousands of veterans and their families was overseen by emcee Chuck N. Baker, a Vietnam Purple Heart combat veteran and historian of MOPH Chapter 711. Speaking from the podium, he said in part, “Those of us who have served the nation know the hardships we are often asked to endure in the military. But at the same time we understand the proud obligations that we were either drafted for, or enlisted for. Without the American military, our freedoms would be at serious risk. Not only the First and Second Amendments that are in the news each day, but the right to a fair hearing and/or trial, such as those Judge Stevens presides over each week (and) the entire Constitution itself. And as our active duty obligations fade, we as veterans continue to serve and protect the nation.”

The services ended with musical performances by the Star-Spangled Singers, “God Bless America” sung by Phil Esser, the retiring of the Colors by Pipers and Color Guard of SAMS Post 711 and a benediction by (Retired) Colonel William K. Olds. As a 21-gun salute was fired by the Disabled American Veterans Black Mountain Chapter 12 and “Taps” was played by the Trumpeters Alliance, they were a part of hundreds of individuals representing dozens of veterans’ organizations again this year that helped to make the day one to be remembered.

The annual Memorial Day ceremony held at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery was sponsored by Chapters 711 and 730 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), in conjunction with the Nevada Department of Veterans Services.

Media members also attended the ceremony.