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Photo: Congratulations to Carlos Cisneros who become our 1,000^th NV Advocate

Mark Your Calendar for Veterans Day and Other Events 

Make sure you save your seat by REGISTERING HERE for the November 11, 2023, Veterans Day Ceremony at the Nevada State Veterans Memorial, located at 555 E. Washington Avenue in Las Vegas. The ceremony will start at 1:30 p.m. leaving plenty of time to attend the morning Las Veterans Day Parade before joining us afterwards in front of the Grant Sawyer Building!   

In Carson City, the next Veterans of the Month (VOM), Veteran Supporter of the Month (VSM) and Youth Serving Veterans Award (YSVA) Ceremony is set for October 18, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. in the Old Assembly Chambers at 101 N. Carson Street, Carson City.   

Congratulations to the following recipients: 

• Steve Ranson - VOM (September 2023) 
• Tina Drakulich – VSM (September 2023) 
• Walmart Store 2402 Claims Department; Amanda Schnaible & Florancia Rivera – VSM (October 2023)  
• Desmond Green – VOM (November 2023)  
• Sean Laycox – VOM (November 2023)  
• Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 989 – VSM (November 2023)  

Congratulations also go out to VOM Richard (Rick) J. Kaufmann who was selected as the October 2023 recipient. At his request, we will schedule his ceremony at a later date. We will keep you posted.    

Fisher House Check Presentation  

NDVS is once again proud to support the Nevada Veterans Foundation, Las Vegas Fisher House program. On September 26, 2023, NDVS Director Fred Wagar presented a $10,000 donation during a special check presentation ceremony. 

The Fisher House is located on the VA Southern Nevada Medical Center campus at 6900 N. Pecos Road in Las Vegas. The Fisher House provides high quality temporary lodging to families of veterans or active duty servicemembers who are undergoing inpatient or extensive outpatient treatment at the VA facility or at the Mike O’Callaghan Federal Medical Center at Nellis Air Force Base.  

There is no fee for families staying at the Fisher House. For more information on the Fisher House, go HERE.

Photo: LV Fisher House trustees, NDVS Director Fred Wagar (center), and LV Fisher House Manager Stephanie Jo Wheeler (Right).  

POW/MIA Recognition Day at Nellis AFB  

Nellis AF Base observed National Prisoner of War and Missing in Action Recognition Day with a solemn ceremony held on September 15, 2023. The National Day of Recognition symbolizes America’s resolve to never forget those who sacrificed their freedom or their lives in service to our country.  

NDVS Director Fred Wagar read the Governor’s proclamation to attendees. Colonel Jason Wild, 99th Air Base Wing Deputy Commander, provided the official remarks. Former POW Dr. Marvin Carter, Vice President of 7-11 Chapter Las Vegas, served as the featured speaker.  

Cold War POW, U.S. Marine Corps Major Marvin Cater, PhD, was in a plane crash in the desert of the Djibouti. He was captured by rebel forces and held for several months in the late 1970’s. Many details still remain classified, but he was freed by French Foreign Legion Forces stationed in Djibouti. He was a combat mission commander, providing services and intelligence to multiple government agencies. Currently, Dr. Carter runs a nonprofit serving veterans. He is a recipient of the Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Naval Aviation Observers Device.  

The POW/MIA ceremony included a Memorial Wreath Dedication and Remembrance Ceremony, performed by members of the Rancho High JROTC. SSgt Ashe Cepeda-Parker, 99 LRS, provided a soulful performance on the violin. Following the ceremony, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department provided a 21 Gun Salute. 

Photo: Posting of the Colors by Nellis AFB Honor Guard

Photo: Guest speaker, Dr. Marvin Carter 

Photo: NDVS Director Fred Wagar reads Governor’s proclamation

Photo: Director Fred Wagar s reads Governor’s proclamation.

NDVS Supports Health and Wellness Efforts   

Veterans are invited to participate in two important health and wellness efforts supported by NDVS.  

The first is the VA’s Million Veteran Program (MVP). This national research program is looking at how genes, lifestyle, military experiences, and exposures impact health. Since launching in 2011, more than 950,000 veterans joined MVP. The program is fewer than 30,000 veterans away from reaching an historic 1 million milestone. Could you be the millionth veteran to join? Learn more and join today at www.mvp.va.gov. 

Finally, NDVS Suicide Prevention Program Manager Aimee Green is involved in the planning for the first North Las Vegas Annual Hometown Veteran Block Party! Members of the Las Vegas Mayor’s Challenge and Governor’s Challenge teams are also involved in the planning too.  

More details in the weeks ahead but for now, mark your calendar for November 4, 2023. The event will be held at the Veterans and Community Resource Center, located at 3090 E. Centennial Parkway in North Las Vegas. We will be sharing more information in the weeks ahead!    

Veterans Day at Our State Veterans Homes 

Both our State Veterans Homes will honor Veterans Day with a variety of activities. This is in addition to the NDVS-hosted Veterans Day Ceremony at the Nevada State Veterans Memorial in Las Vegas.   

At both homes, the Veterans Day celebration starts the Monday prior to Veterans Day and continues through Saturday, November 11, which is when Veterans Day occurs this year.  

At the Southern Nevada State Veterans Home (SNSVH), Veterans Day itself will start off with a parade in front of the home. Anyone can participate in this event! Simply decorate your vehicle or yourself and drive or walk the parade route in front of the facility. Each year, this event receives tremendous support from the Boulder City police and fire departments, much to the delight of residents. Individuals and groups are highly encouraged to participate. The Opening Ceremony begins at 9:00 a.m. with the parade running through 10:00 a.m. The public is invited to participate in the parade.     

That afternoon, from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m., residents will be treated to a Classic Car Show in front of the home. As with the parade, anyone can showcase their car. There is no fee to enter your vehicle for viewing. The afternoon will also feature live music and a BBQ lunch for residents, staff and volunteers.   

For more information on activities at the SNSVH, reach out to Amanda Kehrer at kehrera@veterans.nv.gov.  

In Sparks, at the Northern Nevada State Veterans Home (NNSVH), the planning for many Veterans Day Week events is still underway. We don’t want to spoil any surprises for this year, but last year the activities included special guests, live musical performances, fun competitions, and great food. This year promises to be even bigger and better than last year! We will keep you posted.  

For more information on activities at the NNSVH, reach out to Julie Dudley at dudleyj@veterans.nv.gov.       

NV Advocates Program Now 1,000 Strong!  

The Nevada Veterans Advocate (NV Advocate) program reached a major milestone last month. Carlos Cisneros became the department’s 1,000th NV Advocate, receiving his certificate and official t-shirt at his place of employment in Las Vegas.    

A NV Advocate is a specially trained volunteer who supports veterans, military members, and their families by helping them connect to earned benefits, programs and services. NV Advocates also assist NDVS by attending community and veteran events.   

NV Advocates must complete the required course work, which may be obtained either online or at an in-person training conference. More information about the online training is available by going HERE. 

There is also an in-person Nevada Veterans Advocate Conference set for October 7-8 in North Las Vegas at the Culinary Academy located at 710 West Lake Mead Blvd. The free two-day event runs from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  There is still time to register and save your seat by going HERE. 

Photo: (L-R) NDVS Outreach Director Maria Mandaleni-Orozco, Carlos Cisneros, NDVS Director Fred Wagar    

NV Advocate Conference

Time is running out to register and save your seat to attend the FREE two-day Nevada Veterans Advocate Conference (NV Advocate). The event will be held on October 7-8 at the Culinary Academy, located at 710 West Lake Mead Blvd. in North Las Vegas.  

This is your chance to become a NV Advocate, which is a specially trained volunteer who helps connect veterans, military members and their families to earned benefits, programs and services.  

For more details and to register for the NV Advocate Conference in North Las Vegas, go HERE. 

SNVMC Expansion Nears Completion!  

The 3.5-acre expansion project at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery is nearing completion. Seems like just yesterday NDVS hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on January 25, 2023, to mark the official beginning of the project. That expansion project is now nearing completion this month with 100% completion, meaning contractors are no longer on site, by November.  

The substantial completion date (we will be able to start using the new roads and columbarium walls) is set for October 2nd and the final completion date (the project is 100% complete and the contractors are no longer on property) is set for November 11th.

Photo: Columbarium walls under construction.  

Photo: Closer look at the construction.  

Photo: New roads and curbs in place.  

Thank you SNVMC Volunteers!  



A special shout out and thank you to the 80 plus volunteers who turned out to the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery (SNVMC) during “Stake Day of Service.” Our cemetery was one of a half dozen locations selected for people to provide two hours of volunteer service.  

Most of the volunteers at the SNVMC came from the Paradise Hills Ward within the McCullough Hills Stake from the church.  They cleaned up pine needles and pinecones from the cemetery streets, main parking lot, and from the grass around the edges of several burial sections.  By the time they finished, they had filled all three of our dumpsters!  

Photo: Volunteers raking pine needles.

Photo: Volunteers sweeping.

Photo: Full bins!!

 Congratulations Veterans Information System Volunteers! 

HUGE THANKS and appreciation go out to the volunteers of the Veterans Information System (VIS) scanning project! Cherlita “Cherly” DaGang, Maggie Smith and Ada Hill played a key role in this project by scanning thousands of paper DD214s to turn them into an electronic record so Nevada veterans will eventually no longer have to carry and present a paper DD214 to prove their U.S. military service or veteran status! The three volunteers were presented certificates and treated to lunch at the Elks Club in Carson City. We appreciate all they do on behalf of our veterans! 

Photo: (L-R) NDVS Director Fred Wagar, Cherlita “Cherly” DaGang, Maggie Smith, Ada Hill, NDVS VIS Supervisor Howard Brunje  

NDVS Out and About 



The long arm of NDVS outreach extended even further last month hitting a new community event every day to reach the veterans we serve. Below are highlights of some of the events our outreach team attended.  

• Winnemucca Community Breakfast 
• Last Bash Car Show at the Reno Lazy 5 Regional Park 
• Veterans Treatment Court Graduations  
• Homeless Court Graduation  
• Tonopah Community Veterans Summit 
• Henderson Veterans Forum 
• Afghanistan & Iraq War Veterans Festival  
• Douglas County WAVE Meeting 
• Gardnerville Senior Center 
• Silver Springs DETR Resource Fair 
• Lyon County Healthy Communities 
• National POW/MIA Recognition Day Ceremony at Nellis AFB 
• Virginia City VFW Meeting 
• Wellington VFW Huddle and Topaz Ranch Estates Veterans Huddle 
• Carson City VFW 
• Hawthorn Elks Lodge with DETR  
• Sparks American Legion Hall Duby Reid Post 

If you see us out and about next month, make sure you stop by our table and say “hi!” 

Photo: NDVS Outreach Director Jim Richardson and NDVS Suicide Prevention Program Manager Aimee Green at NAS Fallon Fitness and Suicide Prevention Day 5K Race.   

State of Nevada Hiring Series -Veterans Welcome! 

The Division of Human Resource Management (DHRM) will host a State of Nevada Hiring Series on October 11, 21, 24, and November 2, in Carson City, Nevada.  

All veterans with hard copy resume and DD 214s are guaranteed an interview for vacancies where veterans are pre-determined as qualified! In some cases, same-day job offers will be provided to attending participants.  

The Hiring Series will be held at the Nevada State Library & Archives building located at 100 N. Stewart Street, Carson City, NV 89701 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.  

The following departments will be hiring on the dates listed below.  

• Wednesday, October 11 – Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, Department of Veteran Services, Department of Wildlife, Office of the Military 
• Saturday, October 21 – Department of Public Safety, Nevada Gaming Control Board, Office of the Secretary of the State, Office of the Treasurer 
• Tuesday, October 24 – Department of Health & Human Services, Department of Taxation 
• Thursday, November 2 – Department of Corrections, Department of Transportation, Nevada Attorney General’s Office, and the Nevada State Controller. 

 If you’re looking for a job, brush off your resume and hope to see you there!  

Major Projects Get Fundraising Boost from

Korean War VA Chapter 329 



Korean War VA Chapter Commander Lee Mowery recently sent out a friendly update to members of his chapter. It contained a response to a question posed by Judy Ariola, leader of the Women’s Auxiliary. She, along with Lee and her husband, Vince, were among the original board members still engaged with the chapter. She wondered how much money had been raised over the past nine years and where that money had been spent.  

Lee told members he took several days going through all the records he could find. When the fundraising sums were tallied, those numbers showed significant and impressive sums raised for several projects important to the veterans’ community. The numbers speak to the hard work, dedication and commitment of the chapter’s members to serve their community.  

Below are the highlights of the tallies raised by this small group of veterans.  

• Total sum raised over the past nine years is approximately $69,000! 
• Largest single sum raised is approximately $40,000 to build two Korean War Memorials at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City. The group had to raise the funds to essentially build two memorials after the first memorial started to crack within 18 months of installation due to extreme heat.    
• Approximately $12,000 went to Honor Flight.  
• Approximately $5,000 went to the Fisher House in Las Vegas.  

Highlights of fundraising beneficiaries include: 

• Wreaths Across America 
• Holiday meals  
• Veterans Village of Las Vegas 
• Ashley Strong Foundation (Supports children of veterans) 
• Service dog training 
• Smile for Dogs (Supports veterinary care for service dogs)  
• Dental care for veterans 

 Congratulations, praise, and thanks go out to the members of KWVA Chapter 329! 

Photo: Officers and guests recite Pledge of Allegiance at Korean War Veterans Association Chapter 329 meeting in Las Vegas.

NDVS Supports Forgotten Not Gone Open House  

Forgotten Not Gone (FNG) opened its new location by hosting an Open House and NDVS was there for the celebration. The September 10, 2023, event showcased the nonprofit and its new facility, now located at 3960 W. Craig Road in North Las Vegas. FNG is dedicated to “stomping out veteran suicide.”  

Forgotten Not Gone is a 501(c)(3) Veteran For Purpose Organization that is dedicated to “Stomping Out Veteran Suicide!” Feeling Alone, Forgotten and Abandoned causes too many Veterans to take their own lives daily in the United States. Forgotten Not Gone proactively engages Suicide Prevention through Emotional, Physical and Spiritual Health within a Veteran Peer Support environment. #FNG inspires our military community who were not lost at war but Forgotten at Home to make a decision to live again. 

Veterans and their loved ones in crisis should call 988 and Press 1 to receive free, confidential support from the VA Veterans Hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. 

Photo: NDVS Director Fred Wagar addresses attendees at FNG Open House.     

2023 Air Force Ball in Las Vegas  

The 2023 Air Force Ball took place in Las Vegas on Saturday, September 16, 2023, to commemorate the 76th anniversary of the Air Force’s founding. NDVS Director Fred Wagar joined airmen from Nellis AFB in southern Nevada for an evening celebration.  

For those not able to attend, please enjoy the photos below.    

Photo 3. AF Colonel Joshua DeMotts, the 99th Air Base Wing commander, addresses the audience. (Photo courtesy of Airman 1st Class Jordan McCoy)  

Photo: (L-R) NDVS Director Fred Wagar and his wife, Terrie 

Photo: (L-R) U.S. AF Airman 1st Class Kaelon Duke and retired U.S. AF General Lori Robinson cut the cake during the celebration. It is a AF tradition that the highest ranking person and the youngest person cut the cake. (Photo courtesy of Airman 1st Class Jordan McCoy) 

Photo: AF Colonel Joshua DeMotts, the 99th Air Base Wing commander, addresses the audience. (Photo courtesy of Airman 1st Class Jordan McCoy)  

Send us your upcoming events at 

pio.ndvs@veterans.nv.gov 

to post to our calendar

Dates To Remember in October

October 2 – Reserve Officers Association (RSO) Birthday (1922)  

October 7 – Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) Afghanistan (Oct 7, 2001 – Dec 28,2014) 

October 9 – Columbus Day/Indigenous People’s Day  

October 10 – World Homeless Day  

October 13 – U.S. Navy Birthday (1775) 

October 23 - 40-year Anniversary of the Beirut barracks bombings that destroyed the barracks for the 1st Battalion 8th Marines (Battalion Landing Team – BLT 1/8) of the 2nd Marine Division killing 220 marines, 18 sailors and three soldiers. Another 128 were wounded, 13 later died of their injuries and are counted among the number of those who died. (1983) 

October 25 – Grenada, Operation Urgent Fury (Oct 25, 1983 – Dec 15, 1983)  

October 26 – National Day of the Deployed 

October 27 – Nevada Day Observed (1864)