September Recipients Announced for Veteran of the Month, Veteran Supporter of the Month, and Serving Veterans Youth Awards

NDVS is pleased to announce Mr. William “Bill” Baumann has been selected as Veteran of the Month for September 2022, Peer Support Network Inc., has been named Veteran Supporter of the Month and Ms. Dana Surwill will serve as the first recipient of the new Serving Veterans Youth Award for September 2022.

Mr. Baumann, a U.S. Air Force veteran, earned the honor and distinction as Veteran of the Month due to his vast volunteer work that has improved the lives of so many veterans and the veterans’ community over the years. Mr. Baumann credits his service in uniform for igniting his lifelong passion to serve others, particularly his fellow veterans.

He has served at the will and pleasure of four Nevada Governors and four department directors during his tenure on the Nevada Veterans Services Commission (VSC) and previously, as a member of the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery Advisory Committee.

During his time on the VSC, the commission focused on several areas important to Nevada’s military members, veterans, and their families. This includes efforts to reduce homelessness and prevent suicide, as well as support for the construction of a second State Veterans Home in northern Nevada.  Mr. Baumann and his colleagues also worked to develop innovative irrigation solutions to keep Nevada’s Veterans Memorial Cemeteries beautiful. His work on the VSC also provided support to caregivers of veterans and Nevada’s Veterans Courts and its programs.

Many know Mr. Baumann through his 17 years of service, working alongside NDVS, but Mr. Baumann has also played key volunteer roles within the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), United Veterans Legislative Council and other veterans service organizations. His volunteer work has previously been recognized by the VA, for serving more than 18,000 volunteer hours and his commitment to all things benefitting veterans and military members.

Nevada Peer Support Network (NPSN) is focused on smashing the stigma surrounding mental health by providing quality mental health resources and support to first responders and hospital health care professionals so they may live the very best lives possible on and off duty. This includes law enforcement, firefighters, EMS, first responders, veterans, hospital professionals, military personnel, and their families.

NPSN promotes getting help early, and often and emphasizes that mental readiness is a strength, not a weakness. NPSN seeks to normalize the subject of mental health by placing importance on the care and maintenance of our minds and emotional health, just as we do our physical ailments. For example, many may share if they have cancer or a broken bone but may be scared or reluctant to seek out the resources essential to healing the mind. NPSN seeks to build a stronger, more united public safety and health care community.

Ms. Surwill is the first to receive the new Serving Veterans Youth Award recognition. She is currently a senior at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She began volunteering before high school, through her involvement in leadership building activities as a member of the National Honor Society. She is a Cadet Lieutenant Colonel rank in Civil air patrol (the second highest-ranking grade).

Since 2016, Ms. Surwill has accumulated 3700 total documented service hours with a 1,000 of those hours involving veterans specifically. In November 2021 alone, she participated in the Las Vegas Veteran’s Day Parade, Fisher House fundraiser, and Honor Flights.

Ms. Surwill has volunteered at events at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City including unaccompanied veteran burials, Wreaths Across America, and flag retirement ceremonies. She also participates with Southern Nevada Honor Flights by writing cards and welcoming home veterans.

As Nevada State Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R) President, her project is to support the Fisher House of greater Las Vegas, which helps veterans' families in their time of need. So far, she has raised close to $1,400 for the Fisher House since August of 2021.