Governor Brian Sandoval displays the newly signed legislation into law. L>R, Senator Mike Roberson, VSC Chairman Bill Baumann, Assemblyman and VSC Member Elliot Anderson, VSC Member Felicia Tate, Senator Patricia Spearman, Gold Star Mother and VSC Member Sally Wiley and Assemblyman John Hambrick.
Veterans and Military Day at the Legislature (VAMDAL) was held at the Nevada State Legislature Thursday, March 26, with over 120 veteran leaders from around the state and 150 high school ROTC Cadets from Southern Nevada on hand to support veteran issues and legislation currently under consideration.
The day began with opening speeches at the Veterans Memorial Wall with an address from Governor Brian Sandoval where he affirmed his commitment to make Nevada “the most veteran friendly state in the union” and presented a scale model of the Las Vegas Veteran Memorial currently planned. The Governor signed into legislation Assembly Bill 76 which makes various changes including the assessment of tuition charged to veterans honorably discharged from the Armed Forces.
“This day showed the level of collaboration from all areas of the state,” says NDVS Director, Kat Miller. “With leadership from Governor Sandoval to make Nevada the most ‘veteran friendly state in the union’, veteran leaders from every organization have helped explain the need for new legislation and legislators from both sides of the aisle have given their support to veterans.”
Senate Majority Leader Pat Roberson and Assemblyman John Hambrick also spoke in a show of support for veterans and to confirm the commitment that both bodies of Nevada’s Legislature are working for the betterment of veterans everywhere in the state.
Veterans of the Month (VOM), Robert Brown of Las Vegas, and Robert Martin of Reno were recognized by Governor Sandoval for their volunteer work in the community. Brown is February’s VOM and is the leader of the 150 Cadets which are attending a week of leadership training in Northern Nevada. Martin is the March VOM and is acknowledge for a long list of services and many hours he has provided veterans in the Reno area.
After the morning ceremonies, veterans and cadets attended the Nevada Assembly and Senate Chambers for a concurrent resolution recognizing and honoring Nevada’s Fallen. Bill Bauman, Chairman of the Veterans Services Committee (VSC) and Sally Wiley also a member of the VSC and Gold Star Mother accepted the resolution on behalf of the families who have lost loved ones in the Global War on Terror. Additionally, veteran leaders Tony Yarbrough and Caleb Harris coordinated the effort to have each Assemblymen and Senator seated with a veteran representative during the recognition.
The day concluded with a catered lunch being served by the Nevada National Guard from a Mobile Kitchen Unit to veterans and cadets, with additional military vehicles on display in the Legislative Mall.
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