Ronald “Ron” Gutzman, moves comfortably through military, veterans, political, social, and church circles in a life of service to his community, veterans and non-veterans alike.
Gutzman, a combat Marine who served three years in the Korean War, has spent his post-war years representing Nevada veterans service organizations in Nevada, his adopted home. He is a familiar and respected face in government offices in Northern Nevada, as well as inside the Nation’s Capitol.
For these reasons Gutzman has been named March’s Nevada Veteran of the Month by the Nevada Department of Veterans Services.
Gutzman represents the interests of a close veterans community with 10 of 25 years in the American Legion as Legion representative to the Nevada Veterans Services Commission, and, as a member of Capitol Post 4 in Carson City, he helps veterans and their families.
He is an active 25-year member of Chapter 7 of the Disabled American Veterans. He serves as its Legislative Chairman. He is also a 20-year member of the Marine Corps League, serving as Commandant and Legislative Chair.
With legislative issues serving not only veterans but active military, Gutzman, a South Dakota native and Glenview, Ill. transplant, works to develop and support legislative priorities for the Nevada National Guard and active military during the Nevada State Legislative Sessions. His legislative focus is as a member of Nevada’s United Veterans Legislative Council, an advocacy coalition focused on enhancing military and veterans’ status across the Silver State.
As John Warden, who nominated Gutzman for Nevada’s honor, said, “For many years (Ron), through meetings with our Congressional delegation, discussed priorities for our military and National Guard and has participated in many welcome home activities of deployed and active military and NNG personnel in Fallon and Reno.”
As engaged as Gutzman is with fellow veterans, he also volunteers in his civilian community through membership in the Lutheran Family Church in Carson City as president of the Church Council. He also helps the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program, the American Legions’ High School Oratorical Contest, Nevada Boys and Nevada Girls State, local Jr. ROTC programs at Carson and Douglas high schools and middle schools citizenship awards.
Gutzman will be honored by his family, peers, and community during a ceremony at 10 a.m. March 17 in Room CC4100 of the Legislative Building, 401 S. Carson St.