Richard Whiston and Nevada Military Support Alliance Receive Special Honor and Recognition

By Terri Hendry
Richard (Dick) Whiston received the honor of being named Veteran of the Month (VOM) and the Nevada Military Support Alliance was also honored as Veteran Supporter of the Month (VSM) in a special ceremony inside the Old Assembly Chamber in Carson City in December.

In Whiston’s nomination, it was noted the Korean War veteran has gone over and above to support veterans including purchasing seven new vans, valued at more than $250,000 for the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Veteran Transit Program. He is also a driver for the DAV to shuttle veterans to the VA and similar medical appointments. He has personally donated funds to Honor Flight Nevada allowing 200 veterans to fly to Washington DC, at no cost to them, to see their war memorial.

The Nevada Military Support Alliance is behind numerous statewide efforts that organize, promote and support Nevada’s men and women serving in our U.S. Armed Forces, veterans and their families.

These efforts include: the funding for three adaptive homes for catastrophically injured veterans; death benefits to 57 Nevada warrior families; raising more than $3 million to build Nevada’s first Fisher House in North Las Vegas; providing the primary funds for the Nevada Military Support Alliance Veterans Resource Centers at the University of Nevada Reno and Truckee Meadows Community College; providing funds and assistance to Veterans with legal needs through the Nevada Attorney General’s Office of Military Legal Assistance; and raising $1 million in partnership with the Veterans Guest House in Reno to assist in a major renovation and  expansion of the facility.

Governor Brian Sandoval was in attendance for the ceremony. This was his last VOM/VSM ceremony before leaving office.

The Veteran of the Month and Veteran Supporter of the Month awards were established to recognize and honor those who have gone above and beyond in support of Nevada’s military members, veterans and their families. It is an opportunity to shine a bright light on the work veterans continue to do for our nation.