Tuition waiver extension highlights Veterans and Military Day

Gov. Brian Sandoval’s signing of Assembly Bill 76 into law Thursday highlighted the annual Veterans and Military Day at the Legislature.

The law extends the length of time a veteran with an honorable discharge can receive a tuition waiver from a Nevada state higher-education school from two to five years.

“The new law is another step toward continuing my goal of making Nevada the most military- and veteran-friendly state in the nation,” Sandoval said.

Sandoval gave several updates on veterans’ issues before signing the bill. He said progress continues toward the establishment of a Northern Nevada Veterans home and he said the Veterans Memorial in Las Vegas set for the Grant Sawyer State Building will eventually be donated to the state. A 9-foot-tall statue depicting a combat soldier destined for the Veterans Memorial was on display in the Capitol throughout the day.

Nevada Office of Veteran Services Director Kat Miller was the master of ceremonies during the ceremony portion of the event; the day also featured a Nevada Guard vehicle and equipment display.

About 150 Junior ROTC cadets from Southern Nevada high schools attended the ceremony. Cadet Carla Santiago from Valley High in Las Vegas presented Sandoval an award for his support of Nevada’s JROTC programs.

Following his signing of the new tuition waiver extension law, Sandoval awarded retired Nevada Army Guard Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Brown, now a ROTC instructor at Mojave High, the Veteran of the Month award for February and noted Brown’s support of a wounded Veterans cycling team and his ongoing effort to provide care packages for deployed troops. Robert Martin received the Veteran of the Month award for March.