New Home for the Nevada State Veterans Memorial

A special celebration to say “farewell” to the old location of the Nevada State Veterans Memorial and prepare to move the memorial to its exciting new home at the Thunderbird Family Sports Complex in the city of Las Vegas was held on Friday, September 13, 2024.

The Nevada Department of Veterans Services (NDVS), in partnership with the city of Las Vegas, hosted the ceremony to commemorate the memorial’s relocation. The current plan calls for the memorial to be eventually moved to its new home at the Thunderbird Family Sports Complex, 6105 N. Durango Drive.

The relocation of the memorial became necessary after the State of Nevada moved its offices from the Grant Sawyer Building. The grounds at the new state offices are too small to accommodate the two-acre memorial.

The new site was selected through the efforts of the Office of Governor Joe Lombardo, Nevada State Public Works, and NDVS who worked with Las Vegas Ward 4 Councilwoman Francis Allen-Palenske. She championed the efforts of a local veteran’s group who petitioned to keep the memorial within the city of Las Vegas.

The new site will allow for potential enhancements surrounding the memorial, including the potential for an outdoor amphitheater using the memorial as a backdrop. The new site will also feature restrooms, ample parking, lighting, and easy access for viewing.

The Nevada State Veterans Memorial was dedicated in 2015 following fundraising and other efforts made by the Las Vegas Memorial Foundation, created by the Las Vegas veteran-operated business, American Shooters, Inc.

The memorial features 18 larger-than-life statues that cuts across multiple generations and U.S. conflicts ranging from the Revolutionary War to modern conflicts in the Middle East. The memorial was designed and produced by bronze sculptor Douwe Blumberg. In addition to the military figures, the memorial also depicts a modern-day family to represent the sacrifices made by so many non-combatants.

Since its dedication, the memorial has been an attraction for both tourists and locals alike and its new home at the Thunderbird Family Sports Complex will ensure it remains so for generations to come.