Veteran & Veteran Supporter of the Month Recipients Honored

Congratulations to David Hugus, Sandra Valdezate and Gregory Gray for receiving special honor and recognition on Friday, November 11, 2022, during an NDVS hosted Veterans Day Ceremony at the Nevada State Veterans Memorial in Las Vegas. Mr. Hugus is the recipient of the Veteran of the Month award for November 2022.  Ms. Valdezate received the Veteran of the Month award for August 2021 and Mr. Gray is the recipient of the Veteran Supporter of the Month award for October 2022. Recipients who missed their in-person ceremony due to the pandemic are being honored with in-person ceremonies as their schedule allows. Descriptions of the honorees are outlined below. (Photos with Veterans Services Commission Vice-Chairman Wendell Blaylock are also below.)   

David Hugus (November 2022 Veteran of the Month) – Mr. Hugus is a U.S. Army veteran who has worked tirelessly as an officer within Chapter 730 Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH). His community work includes support for JROTC programs at local high schools, UNLV’s ROTC program, Henderson’s Veterans Treatment Court and food giveaways through the Three Squares program.  

His work as an officer within Chapter 730 MOPH includes overhauling the chapter’s bylaws, registering his chapter with Nevada’s Secretary of State to ensure its legal standing, serving as the chapter’s finance officer as well as judge advocate.  He has also served on the national level within MOPH. His community work includes presenting appropriate Purple Heart Medals and certificates to deserving ROTC/JROTC cadets selected by the cadre. Mr. Hugus has also provided mentoring to veterans undergoing program services within Henderson’s Veterans Treatment Court.   

Sandra Valdezate (August 2021 Veteran of the Month) – Ms. Valdezate is an U.S. Air Force veteran who has selflessly supported veterans as well as those actively serving at Nellis Air Force base and the disadvantaged in Clark County. As a member of the Air Force Sergeants Association, she assists with the daily operations of the base pharmacy helping to distribute prescriptions to servicemembers and their families. She also volunteers as a follow–up caseworker with the Armed Forces Red Cross helping ensure veterans and servicemembers are supported through any crisis they encounter.  In addition to supporting the Nellis community for over 19 years, she has helped manage the Annual Coat and Blanket Drive for U.S. Vets of Las Vegas and partnered with Catholic Charities to make cards for Seniors on Meals Wheels.  

Gregory Gray (October 2022 Veteran Supporter of the Month) – As a son of a veteran, Mr. Gray’s passion for serving veterans is demonstrated through his work as the lead for the City of Las Vegas’ Veteran Services Initiative, which includes the Mayor’s Challenge to prevent veteran suicide. Mr. Gray has been instrumental in generating partnerships with a wide array of community agencies and nonprofits including the Southern Nevada Advocacy Council, MVP, Wounded Warrior Project, Workforce Connections, NDVS and more. Additionally, Mr. Gray’s work includes supporting the Veterans Hired, Housed, and Healthy Summit and Veterans Brain Trust, which focuses on bringing high-level program managers together to advance identified priorities within the veteran community. Trained in safeTALK, Mr. Gray has the knowledge and the attitude to advocate on behalf of veterans in efforts to prevent suicide. Mr. Gray works as a management analyst for the City of Las Vegas Office of Community Services. 

There were no nominations for the Youth Serving Veterans Award during this quarter. 

Nominate a Veteran, Veteran Supporter or Youth Serving Veterans Today!   

Veteran of the Month – Guidelines and Nomination Forms 

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 and nomination form. 

Veteran Supporter of the Month – Guidelines and Nomination Forms 

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. 

Youth Serving Veterans Award – Guidelines and Nomination Forms

The Youth Serving Veterans Award recognizes the volunteer work of a young Nevadan or a group of young Nevadans (age 19 and younger) who contribute time, energy and effort in support of veterans, military members or families of veterans and military members. View Youth Serving Veterans Award guidelines and nomination form.