Message from the Director – November 2019

This month, we mark Veterans Day! This year November 11^th falls on a Monday and big events are planned in many cities across Nevada. I highly encourage you to visit “Mark Your Calendar” in this newsletter to find an event near you!

“Mark Your Calendar “click here: https://veterans.nv.gov/mark-your-calendar-november-2019/

I also highly encourage you join us at the Southern Nevada State Veterans Home (SNSVH) on November 11^th. This will be the first time Governor Sisolak will have the opportunity to serve as a keynote speaker at the annual event. He will be joined in the program by Colonel Troy E. Armstrong, Commander of 17SB, the Nevada Army Guard’s largest brigade. This year the Veterans Day ceremony is sponsored by VFW Cpl. Matthew A. Commons Memorial Post 36. Las Vegas always starts the day with the big parade downtown at 10:00 AM. There is plenty of time to join us later in the afternoon for our formal Veterans Day ceremony at the SNSVH at 1:30 PM. SNSVH is located at 100 Veterans Memorial Drive in Boulder City.

The Nevada Department of Veterans Services will also have a presence at the Veterans Day parades in both Las Vegas and Reno! In Reno, NDVS will put the spotlight on suicide prevention to raise awareness and involve the community in this important issue. We will be providing information on safeTALK training and other resources that can make a big difference.

This weekend, NDVS will host a Nevada Veterans Advocate (NVA) workshop in Henderson on November 2-3. This workshop is different than previous ones. For the first time, we are offering ALL 20 modules needed to receive your NVA certificate. Attendees from previous workshops asked for this, so we are giving it a try and it appears to be a “hit” already. We are expecting more than 100 attendees. The NVA workshop will be held at the Fiesta Henderson, in the Cancun Ballroom, 2^nd floor, 777 West Lake Mead Parkway, Henderson, NV.

We want to end this year strong with great support for Wreaths Across America. This year the annual event will be on Saturday, December 14, 2019. Each year, the goal is to put a wreath on every gravesite. We also need scores of volunteers for the wreath placement. In southern Nevada, the Boulder City Republican Women are joining the effort by accepting wreath sponsorships. Arrangements to purchase wreaths can be made by calling: (702) 393-1228 or emailing begop@yahoo.com. To donate by credit card, visit: http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

In northern Nevada, the Nevada Veterans Coalition has been busy seeking donations. If you would like to donate to the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley, go here: http://bit.ly/2Nq6rLI

There is more information about Wreaths Across America in this newsletter under “Honoring Our Heroes.”

As for our cemeteries, we could use your support to build a scatter garden at both of our veterans’ cemeteries in northern and southern Nevada. Click here to learn more: https://veterans.nv.gov/need-your-help-to-build-scatter-gardens-at-our-veterans-cemeteries/

Finally, congratulations are in order as the newly installed Battle Born: Memorial to Nevada’s Fallen received a regional award from the American Institute of Architects. Read more about it here: https://veterans.nv.gov/nevadas-battleborn-memorial-to-nevadas-fallen-wins-american-institute-of-architects-regional-award/

As you can see, the next few weeks are going to be a busy time in the veterans’ community. We hope you will join us for one or more of the upcoming events. As always, thank you for your continued support.

Respectfully,
Kat Miller