NDVS Newsletter - January 2024

Message from Director Wagar

Dear Friends –

Happy New Year! I’m pleased to report NDVS is entering 2024 strong. We are poised to be fully staffed with key players in the right place in the days ahead.

Please join me in welcoming Richard Howes as the new Northern Veterans and Advocates Services Team (VAST) Supervisor. Additionally, Michael Sitton has taken the reigns as our Northern Nevada Outreach Officer. You may read more about them in this newsletter.

I also expect NDVS will be announcing a new Deputy Director of Healthcare Services in the next few days. This position is critical to our operation as this person will oversees both the Northern and Southern Nevada State Veterans Homes as well as important health and wellness programs and initiatives surrounding suicide prevention, military exposure risks and more.

Now that we’re making so much progress in putting all the right players into place, I hope to be able to spend more time meeting with so many of you at NDVS hosted, and other events planned for this year. I welcome you to share your ideas, concerns, and suggestions with me. We’ve already set the bar high for serving Nevada’s veterans and we aim to keep raising the bar this year as Nevada’s veterans deserve no less than our very best. With your help, we can accomplish this. I’m looking forward to hearing from you in the New Year!

Finally, I wanted to thank Consul General Mr. Youngwan Kim for taking the time to visit with us recently following his meeting with Governor Joe Lombardo. Mr. Kim is with the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Los Angeles. The South Korean government remains deeply grateful to the men and women who served during the Korean War. It was my honor to show him our Nevada State Veterans Memorial during his visit to Las Vegas. We continue to look for new ways to honor and remember our Korean War veterans. I welcome your suggestions and I look forward to his next visit.

Respectfully,

Fred Wagar

NDVS Director

Photo: Director Wagar greets Consul General Youngwan Kim in Las Vegas. Mr. Kim is Consul General with the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Los Angeles.

Photo: Photographed at the Nevada State Veterans Memorial, at area designated to honor those who served during the Korean War.

NDVS Website

Phenomenal Turnout for Wreaths Across America

Thank you to all who participated in Wreaths Across America. The turnout was amazing at both the Northern and Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemeteries for the annual event held on December 16, 2023.

In Boulder City, the event at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery (SNVMC) was hosted by the NDVS and sponsored by the Neveda Wing, Civil Air Patrol. The guest speaker was Boulder City Mayor pro tem Sherri Jorgenson. She was able to share a photo and some stories of her grandfather’s time serving in the Army during WWII.

The event was very well attended with an estimated 2,500 participants, who helped lay 12,528 wreaths received through donations. This was the largest number of wreaths ever received at the cemetery. Additionally, 5,000 of those wreaths were gifted to the cemetery by Wreaths Across America. It was a very successful ceremony.

In Northern Nevada, Wreaths Across America was hosted by NDVS and sponsored by the Nevada Veterans Coalition. Hundreds of volunteers also turned out to lay 8,000 wreaths to cover all the gravesites at the cemetery located in Fernley.

As in the south, volunteers of all ages turned out to remember and honor those who have served our country.

Photo: Mayor pro tem Jorgenson speaks at Wreaths Across America Ceremony.

Photo: Crowds of all ages lay wreaths at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Photo: Turn out in Fernely is also phenominal

Photo: Volunteers lay wreaths at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery

Nominations Sought for Deserving Veterans and Volunteer Supporters

Do you know of a veteran or a volunteer or volunteer organization working to improve the quality of life for veterans, military members or their families? Now is the time to submit your nomination to make sure this amazing volunteer receives the thanks and recognition they deserve! NDVS is now accepting nominations for three recognition awards.

The newest is the Youth Serving Veterans Award. It recognizes the volunteer work of a young Nevadan (under age 19) or a group of young Nevadans (also under age 19) who contribute their time, energy and effort in support of Nevada’s veterans’ community. For eligibility and nomination forms, go HERE.

The Veteran of the Month award recognizes Nevada veterans who contribute their time and energy in support of their fellow veterans, servicemembers or the family members of veterans or servicemembers. Do you know of a veteran worthy of this statewide recognition from the Governor? Go HERE for eligibility and nominations forms for the Veteran of the Month award.

Finally, the Veteran Supporter of the Month award recognizes individuals and active organizations for their support to servicemembers stationed in Nevada as well as Nevada veterans and their families. These individuals and active organizations do not have to be veterans to receive this recognition. To learn more about eligibility and for nomination forms, go HERE.

Anyone can nominate candidates for the above awards. Each submission will be reviewed by the members of the Nevada Veterans Services Commission (VSC) at its quarterly meetings. (Completed nomination forms must be submitted 14 days prior to a VSC meeting.) The VSC forwards its recommendations to the Governor for approval.

Go HERE to learn more about the VSC, its members and agendas.

NDVS Hosts Veterans in Care Ceremony at

Silver Hills Healthcare Center

Some 22 veterans were honored and recognized last month during a Veterans in Care ceremony held at the Silver Hills Healthcare Center in Las Vegas. The ceremony honored and recognized veterans, their spouses, veteran workers and the Silver Hills Healthcare Facility for their military service and continued support to our military communities. The 22 veterans honored included two Silver Hills veteran employees and five spouses of veterans.

The American Legion Post 76 Honor Color Guard; Durango JROTC, with Chief Master Sergeant Jordan participated. CC Spencer sang the National Anthem. Silver Hills Healthcare Center leadership was also recognized for its support to our veterans with the center’s leadership being presented with a Certificate of Appreciation and an NDVS challenge coin.

The VIC Ceremony is an inspiring, encouraging, and supportive program. The ceremony ensures members of our veteran community who are living in community based, skilled nursing or assisted living facilities are connected to the benefits they have earned through their military services. It also ensures they are not forgotten for their military service and sacrifice provided to our country. The ceremony also allows the spouses of veterans to be recognized for the astounding support they’ve given to their veteran spouse and military community over the years.

There will be more VIC ceremonies conducted across Nevada in 2024. For more information on the program or for scheduling a VIC ceremony contact Zaconia Turner at turnerz@veterans.nv.gov.

Photo: Zaconia Turner and Veteran Honoree Roger Reisig.

Photo: Durango High School Cadets.

Photo: American Legion Post 76 Honor Color Guard.

Photo: Army Veteran Nancy Webster Honored.

Photo: Deputy Director Lisa Maciel Honors Veteran Spouse.

Thank You Washoe County Sheriff’s Office

On Dec. 14, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) Employees delivered their Angel Tree Gift-A-Vet gifts for each of the 96 Northern Nevada State Veterans Home (NNSVH) residents. The generosity and amount of love for our veterans poured into this program from the WCSO employees is amazing!

Each resident completes an ornament with up to three gift wishes. The WCSO employees fulfill each of these wishes and more – every gift is beautifully wrapped and delivered with love. We can’t thank them enough for continuing this program for the past four years – and, for what we hope will be many more years to come!

Photo: WCSO Unloads Gifts for all residents at the Northern Nevada State Veterans Home!

Photo: Sheriff Darin Balaam greets residents during Gift a Vet event.

Comstock Lode Quilters at NNSVH

Thank you, Comstock Lode Quilters, for presenting Quilts of Valor to all of the new Northern Nevada State Veterans Home (NNSVH) residents last month, as well as giving Quilts to several community veterans, thanking all of them for their service. VVA 989 also presented the Vietnam veterans who received quilts with the Vietnam commemorative pin and welcomed them home.

We love partnering with these two wonderful community organizations that let our residents know they are loved and appreciated!

Photo: The Comstock Lode Quilters Martha Strand, Donna Doss, Mona Crandell Hook, Gail Carlson, Pat Eby and Diane McCormick present NNSVH resident James W. with his quilt.

Photo: Comstock Lode Quilter Donna Doss presents NNSVH resident Dale E. with his Quilt of Valor.

Photo: NNSVH resident Dale E. With his Quilt of Valor.

Photo: Comstock Lode Quilter Donna Doss presents NNSVH resident Richard S. with his Quilt of Valor.

Nonprofit The Fern45 Shares Holiday Cheer

The nonprofit, The Fern45 stopped by the Northern Nevada State Veterans Home (NNSVH) last month to donate $15,050 for resident activities, events, outings and other needs. We cannot thank them enough for their support and the impact this has on our residents!

Fern45 go HERE: https://www.thefern45.com

Photo: Thank you to The Fern45!

SNVMC Expansion Project Now Fully Complete!

On November 30, 2023, the new expansion area at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery opened to the public. The new expansion includes eight columbarium walls (5,740 niches) and four in-ground cremation sections (5,432 plots), two roundabouts, roads, and sidewalks. This new expansion will provide the cemetery with an additional eight years of utilization. The cemetery has an additional 35 acres of undeveloped land for future growth.

Photo of the newly constructed Columbarium Walls (C1 thru C8).

LGBTQ+ Veteran Program Update

The LGBTQ+ Program was invited as a guest speaker for the Nevada Governor's Challenge Team to discuss the prevention of suicide and address the concerning statistics faced by gender and sexually diverse veterans. It is important to continue prioritizing mental health and promoting open communication about sexuality and gender. This presentation marked the inclusion of our expanded curriculum, which now includes training on the concepts of gender identity and gender expression.

On December 1st each year, it is crucial for us to acknowledge and stand together with individuals worldwide in solidarity on World AIDS Day. NVDS is committed to engage and advocate for those living with HIV and commemorating those who have tragically lost their lives to AIDS-related illnesses.

Christopher Miannay, who oversees NVDS LGBTQ+ Program, has contributed to our local community quilt, dedicating it to veterans who have succumbed to these illnesses. It is important to recognize that this issue affects both the veteran and LGBTQ+ communities. Thankfully, there are viable treatment options available. If you are a veteran facing challenges in this area, we encourage you to seek assistance without hesitation as there are plenty of resources available to support our gender and sexually diverse veterans.

Furthermore, we are increasing our outreach efforts by forming new partnerships and hosting various events during the first half of next year. Our LGBTQ+ Program is thrilled to spearhead positive change and establish a new gold standard for gender and sexually diverse veterans.

For more information contact miannayc@veterans.nv.gov

Photo: (L-R) Christopher Miannay and Matthew Dang Director of Grants, Analysis & Administration for The Center.

Richard Howes New Northern VAST Supervisor

Richard P. Howes is now serving as the new Northern Veterans and Advocacy Team (VAST) Supervisor, overseeing the department’s Veterans Service Officers in northern Nevada.

Richard is a veteran and family man from Fallon. He is a graduate of Churchill County High School, Class of 1996. His early life was marked by a passion for acting and community service. His mission trips to Mexico and Romania at a young age helped shaped his worldview. In San Jose, California, Richard deepened his involvement in community service through his church serving as a youth intern. It was there he met his future wife, Susan, while serving as camp counselors.

Their journey together began when Richard joined the Army in 1997, marking the start of a distinguished 25-year military career. As an Infantryman, he was stationed at Fort Benning, GA, where he earned the Expert Infantryman's Badge, attended Air Assault and Airborne schools, and rapidly rose to the rank of Sergeant.

His National Guard service included a two-year mobilization for an in-state mission and a successful 16-year stint in recruiting, where he garnered numerous awards and recognitions. Richard retired from the Army in August 2022, leaving a legacy of dedication and excellence.

Family life has been a cornerstone of Richard's journey. He and Susan are parents to eight children!

Richard may be reached at howesr@veterans.nv.gov.

Photo: Richard Howes new Northern VAST Supervisor.

Meet Michael Sitton NDVS Northern Nevada Outreach Officer

Michael Sitton has joined the NDVS team as the Northern Nevada Outreach Officer. In his new role at NDVS, he will oversee the department’s outreach efforts in the Reno-Sparks-Carson City and Gardnerville-Minden areas as well as rural areas in the central and eastern portions of Nevada including Elko, Winnemucca, Battle Mountain, and Ely for the purpose of connecting to veterans, military members and their families.

Michael was born and raised in Reno and joined the Army as an Airborne Infantryman in 2009. He was deployed to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom where he received a Purple Heart. He hopes to use his military experience to not only connect with Nevada Veterans but to also connect them with the services and benefits they earned.

Micheal is a UNR graduate with a degree in Business Management. He enjoys spending time with his wife and his son. His hobbies include off-roading, hunting, golfing, fishing, hiking, traveling, staying active, and spending time with his family.

Michael can be reached at sittonm@veterans.nv.gov

PHOTO: Michael Sitton NDVS Northern Nevada Outreach Officer.

Mark Your Calendar – Virtual LGBTQ+ Veteran Resource Workshop

In partnership with Our Center, NDVS will present information during a FREE Virtual LGBTQ+ Veteran Resource Workshop that will focus on topics of interest to gender and sexually diverse veterans.

The event will be held on Monday, January 22, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. via Zoom. The virtual event will cover a wide variety of topics including discharge upgrades, navigating healthcare treatment and much more!

To attend, please register here: https://bit.ly/LGBTQResourceWorkshop1

Or contact Christopher Miannay at miannayc@veterans.nv.gov or Jammie Verdin at jammie@ourcenterreno.org.

Take the 2024 Challenge to Become an NV Advocate!

With the New Year we invite you to take on a new challenge to become a Nevada Veterans Advocate (NV Advocate) in 2024!

Simply take the online course to receive your NV Advocate certificate. The online course consists of 20 lessons. Take the lessons at your own pace, in the comfort of your home. The topics cover a wide range of information that can assist veterans and their families connect to earned benefits, programs and services.  

Once you receive your NV Advocate certificate, you can become part of the NDVS team and help us spread the word at outreach events for veterans. To learn more or to enroll in the NV Advocate course, click HERE.

Also, look for dates in the Spring of 2024 for the next free, in-person, two-day workshop in the Reno area to become an NV Advocate! 