(Reno, Nev.) – Miguel Orozco has been named Veteran of the Month (VOM) and The Las Vegas Leatherneck Clubs was named Veteran Supporter of the Month (VSM) by Governor Steve Sisolak for February 2022. This recognition is designed to shine a spotlight on the great work of Nevadans who better our state and nation by contributing their time and energy in support of veterans, their communities, or the military.
Miguel Orozco is a Marine Corps veteran who is passionate about ensuring Nevada’s veterans are cared for and honored. As an Off-Tour Nursing Supervisor at the VA Sierra Nevada Healthcare System, Miguel performed an Honors Escort for veterans who passed away at the hospital. The Honors Escort is a ceremony in which an American flag is placed over the gurney of the deceased. The hospital’s security officers, along with staff who cared for the veteran, a chaplain, and any present family members, pay tribute to the veteran by standing along the hallway as the gurney moves the deceased from the hospital to the mortuary. Because of the pandemic, this ceremony was suspended indefinitely. This did not sit well with Orozco. He took it upon himself to build a mock gurney, using hand sewed pieces of cloth, to allow the ceremonies to take place in a COVID-19 compliant manner.
The Leatherneck Club of Las Vegas is a local business in southern Nevada that serves as a focal point for the veterans’ community in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. The business serves as a local meeting spot for several veteran service organizations and offers patrons a professional U.S. Marine Corps Museum for the local community to enjoy. In being the Leatherneck Club, they take a special pride in ensuring that U.S. Marine Corps veterans in Las Vegas have a place to host reunions as well as celebrate the Marine Corps Birthday. The business is also an active supporter of the military offering its space as a venue for local military recruiters to hold their swearing in ceremonies for newly enlisted members of the military. The club has also been active in supporting the local Toys for Tots campaigns helping to collect toys for distribution to local children in need.
Due to the risk of coronavirus exposure, special ceremonies to honor and recognize the VOM and VSM are postponed until it is safe to resume them once again.
Veteran of the Month – Guidelines and Nomination Form
The Veteran of the Month (VOM) award recognizes Nevada veterans who contribute their time and energy to support veterans, their communities and/or the military. View the VOM guidelines and nomination form.
Veteran Supporter of the Month – Guidelines and Nomination Form
The Veteran Supporter of the Month (VSM) award recognizes both active organizations and non-veteran Nevada community members that provide exceptional support to military stationed in Nevada, Nevada veterans, and their families. View for VSM guidelines and nomination form.
Want more information on earned veterans benefits or have questions or concerns? You are in the right place! Veterans Service Officers are here to help. Please fill out the form and click “Submit." To find VSO Locations, please visit the Veterans Service Officer page.
