Smith is veteran of the month

Gov. Brian Sandoval recognized Sharlee Smith as Nevada’s April Veteran of the Month attended by friends, family and veteran community leaders during a recent presentation at the State Capitol.

“This is always a day I look forward to,” said Sandoval, “Sharlee has served our country and continues to do so with such distinction. That is the importance of the Veterans of the Month, like Sharlee, they continue to do so much for so many people in our community.”

Smith is currently an active member of many organizations in support of individuals and veteran initiatives and has been the Regional President for the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) since 2012. She is a life member of the National Guard Association of the United States, a 1996 charter member of Women in Military Service for America and has been a volunteer at the Veteran’s Guest House since 2000. And these are just of few of the organizations Smith is associated with.

In addition to military groups, Smith is also a part of many community organizations which have had an impact on community retirement homes and serves as a church volunteer. And she has also made an impact traveling to Oregon, Washington State and California to be a part of service initiatives for veterans and communities.

“The Veteran of the Month is about a service member who takes off their uniform, enter civilian life and continues to serve,” said NDVS Director, Kat Miller. “I can’t think of anyone more qualified or more representative a veteran who helps others and it is a real honor to know her and be a part of some of the work she does.

The Veteran of the Month program is managed by the Nevada Department of Veterans Services under the direction of Director Katherine Miller. Board members of the Veterans Services Commission review nominations and choose a recipient during quarterly meetings for the following three month period. The public is invited to submit nominees for consideration by the Veterans Services Commission.

Guidelines and a nomination application can be downloaded from the NDVS website at www.veterans.nv.gov and sent to the NDVS Department in Reno. Candidates for the next quarter will be reviewed for their volunteer service and recipients will be chosen at the next Veterans Services Commission meeting in June 2014.

With mission-focused employees, NDVS is responsible for the administration of two state Veterans Memorial Cemeteries, a State Veterans Home and a statewide Veterans Service Department program. NDVS is instrumental in connecting Nevada’s veterans and their families with benefits and assistance from both the State and Federal government. For more information, call (866) 630-VETS or visit www.veterans.nv.gov.