Two of the authors of “Legacies of the Silver State,” Steve Ranson and Ken Beaton, recently presented a copy of the book to former Gov. Brian Sandoval, now president of the University of Nevada, Reno. From left are Jon Yuspa, president and founder of Honor Flight Nevada, Ranson, Sandoval and Beaton.
Since its official rollout on Veterans Day 2020, “Legacies of the Silver State: Nevada Goes to War” has been well received in Northern Nevada judging by its initial sales.
For the past five months, the book and two of its authors — Steve Ranson and Ken Beaton — have been featured on a number of television and radio news programs in Reno and Sacramento. Because of the number of World War II veterans featured in the book have Sacramento-ties, KFBK Radio’s Cristina Mendonsa conducted an interview on the importance of remembering the men women who served in the military during the 1940s.
Ranson said longtime Reno television newscaster Erin Breen is preparing a story on the book for Aging and Awesome, a weekly program on Reno’s KTVN-TV. It is expected to air in May. Other interviews are being planned.
Except for copies of the book designated to area libraries, veterans organizations and Memorial Day activities, the authors said "Legacies of the Silver State" has almost sold out, but plans are being made to re-order more books. All proceeds from the book go to Honor Flight Nevada so more veterans can see the nation’s memorials in Washington, D.C.
Recently, Ranson, Beaton and Jon Yuspa, president and founder of Honor Flight Nevada, presented a copy of the book to former Gov. Brian Sandoval, now president at the University of Nevada. Yuspa said Sandoval is a great history buff and has been a great supporter of Honor Flight Nevada. Sandoval also accompanied the veterans on a trip to Washington, D.C., when he was governor.
“Legacies of the Silver State: Nevada Goes to the War” is a compilation of 71 stories of courage and service of men and women who served aboard the battleships USS Arizona and USS Nevada or stormed the beach at Normandy. A section deals with Holocaust survivors and their separate fight for life, freedom and respect. Many of Nevada’s World War II veterans called the Silver State home in one way or another.
David C. Henley’s accounts of the USS Nevada are included in the book. The USS Nevada was the lone battleship that left Pearl Harbor after the Japanese attack on Dec. 7, 1941. The battleship also saw action during the D-Day invasion in June 1944.
“Legacies of the Silver State: Nevada Goes to War” may be purchased at https://legacies-of-the-silver-state.square.site/on Facebook. The $25 cost includes the book and shipping. The book may also be purchased at the following businesses:
Carson City — The Purple Avocado, 904 N. Curry St.
Fallon — His Inspirations, 200 S. Maine St.; Churchill County Museum, 1050 S. Maine St.
Reno — Code Coffee, 300 S. Wells Ave.; Sundance Books and Music, 121 California Ave.
Winnemucca — The Front Porch, 504 W. Winnemucca Blvd.
In case these businesses don’t have a copy of the book, “Legacies of the Silver State: Nevada Goes to War” may also be purchased on Amazon.
The three authors have varied backgrounds, but they have a sincere interest in the veterans who fought for their country in the 1940s. Ranson is a retired editor/general manager of a Nevada newspaper. During the past 15 years, he has written a number of World War II veteran profiles and continues to be active within the veteran community.
As a resident of Carson City for over 45 years, Beaton is a frequent contributor to the Nevada Appeal newspaper, and for many years he has been a voice for veterans by telling their stories during wartime, especially during World War II.
Henley has been a journalist since the 1960s and was the former owner of the Lahontan Valley News in Fallon. He has specialized in western military and naval historical subjects, and his book “Battleship Nevada, The Epic Story of the Ship that Wouldn’t Sink” gives a comprehensive look of the battleship’s history, especially during World War II.
