Four authors will speak on successive Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at the Churchill County Museum. Copies of their books will also be on sale.
The May 11 speaker is Michael G. Leonard, a retired U.S. Air Force officer and highly experienced global business executive. He was a USAF Command Pilot with a military career spanning 20 years, including two Vietnam tours in 1965–1966, and 1969–1970.
His “An American Combat Bird Dog Pilot” is a compelling look at the life and times of a member of the Silent Generation. Leonard’s story chronicles not only his breathtaking combat adventures, but the unforeseen perils that nearly sidetracked him during his time as an international sales executive.
Daniel Quinley, who speaks on May 18, learned much about his father as a child from rummaging through containers looking at medals and letters written during the war from his father to his beloved, Margaret. He said his father never wanted to talk about the war.
In his adult life, Dan Quinley took the letters and wrote a book that came out in 2014 — “Forever: A true story of love and war” — which revealed a love affair that began with a blind date in 1936, continued through World War II and into their later years to Fallon.
Steve Ranson, the coordinator of the project, “Legacies of the Silver State: Nevada Goes to War,” has had a longtime interest in World War II veterans. He will wrap up the lecture series on May 25.
Ranson retired as editor/general manager of the Lahontan Valley News in 2017.
Legacies contains more than 70 stories on World War II veterans who have some type of Nevada tie. Ranson, Beaton and former LVN owner David C. Henley have interviewed scores of World War II veterans and learned more about them and how they helped the war effort.
Fallon Armed Forces Day
Fallon’s Armed Forces Day celebration is May 21 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Churchill County Fairgrounds.
This family friendly event encourages Churchill. County residents and people from surrounding communities to support the military.
The event features a craft fair and vendors, food, a poker run, honor garden, family games and entertainment. There will also be a cornhole competition, bounce house, face painting, a petting zoo, many games and fun for all ages.
Senate candidates and U.S. Army veteran Capt. Sam Brown will be a featured speaker. Another guest speaker is Churchill County Sheriff Richard Hickox.
A Poker Chip Run and motorcycle games are also planned.
For information, call Essie at 775-315-6571.
Top Gun Raceway has taken an active role with the Armed Forces Day activities.
The raceway is bringing a number of racecars to the event, and a car show featuring vehicles from the exhibitors in the surrounding area is also planned. Rattlesnake Raceway will also have racecars at Armed Forces Day.
During the day, Top Gun will hand out tickets and free passes and have shirts for sale.
Spectators will also be able to select the Best of Show.
Among the sponsors are the Dolan Automotive Group and Lithia Chrysler-Jeep.
For information on entering a vehicle, contact 775-298-1534 or topgundragstrip@yahoo.com..
VFW Post 8071 presents May 14 concert
VFW Post 8071 is promoting a fundraising concert in Virginia City from noon to 6 p.m. on May 14.
The event will take place at the Virginia City Fairgrounds. The headliner, Todd Allen Herendeen, is well known in the South as singer, songwriter, entertainer and a patriot. He is doing a four-state, cross country tour to raise money for the VFW Post 8071 building project. This is all the result of a chance meeting between Todd and one of our post members. You can learn more about Todd at https://www.toddallenshow.com/
The post is expecting 750 to 1,000 people. I’m reaching out to you for any media or marketing support you can assist with. I’ve attached our concert poster. Please share, post, promote as you see fit.
In other news, the post’s project is still moving forward. The architect is putting the finishing touches on the plans. Fundraising efforts are nearing the $100,000 mark.
B-29 Superfortress visits Minden
A rare World War II era B-29 Superfortress is scheduled to visit Minden-Tahoe Airport this month.
The B-29 Doc History Restored Tour is scheduled to be in Carson Valley on May 24-26.
The big bomber will arrive at Minden-Tahoe Airport May 23, and will be available for ground and cockpit tours noon to 4:30 p.m. May 24 and May 25
“This tour will give warbird fans in these areas a unique opportunity to see one of only two B-29 Superfortresses still airworthy and flying today,” said B-29 Doc Executive Director Josh Wells. “Our mission with the B-29 Doc History Restored Tour is to tell the stories of the men and women who designed, built, flew and maintained these magnificent machines that helped deliver victory over oppression during World War II. We are dedicated to honoring the men and women who have served our nation, and who continue to fight to protect freedom at home and abroad.”
The tour will include ground and cockpit tours, as well as B-29 Doc Flight Experience rides. Tickets for ride flight experience have sold out at www.b29doc.com/rides, but there is a waiting list.
For details about B-29 Doc Flight Experience, visit www.b29doc.com/rides to view seat availability and book tickets.
Admission for ground and cockpit tours at Minden-Tahoe will be $10 per person or $20 per family.
Museum’s “War Comes Home”
War Comes Home: The Legacy is part of Cal Humanities' current “War Comes Home” initiative, a thematic program designed to promote greater understanding of veterans and explore how war shapes a community.
The Churchill County Museum exhibition is based on the work of the Center for American War Letters (CAWL) and is presented by Exhibit Envoy. Andrew Carroll, the Director of CAWL and an award-winning and New York Times bestselling author, and John Benitz, associate professor in the Department of Theatre at Chapman University, co-curated the exhibition.
The exhibition explores the joys and hardships that returning soldiers and their families face during homecoming, as expressed through private letters and email correspondence. Spanning conflicts from the Civil War through the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and displayed on 13 interpretive panels, War Comes Home: The Legacy explores the shared themes of wartime separation, the adjustment to life back at home, and the costs of war.
This exhibition runs through May 29 and offers a space to write letters to currently deployed service members.
The Churchill County Museum is located at 1050 S. Maine Street in Fallon and is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, and has a $5 suggested donation.
Operation Battle Born
The Truckee Meadows Veterans Club of TMCC is partnering with the University of Nevada, Reno Wolf Pack Veterans to execute Operation Battle Born: Ruck to Remember 2022 in honor of the fallen heroes from the Global War on Terrorism.
Over the course of three days, veterans and volunteers from across the state will take turns carrying two rucksacks that share nearly 7,000 service member dog tags to include the 58 fallen Nevadans that have made the ultimate sacrifice since Sept. 11. In their honor, the march begins from the Nevada State Capital to the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley.
Participants will be asked to challenge themselves physically and mentally, facing the heat and the weight of the fallen heroes on their backs. Help us as we march for those who fought and sacrificed for our freedom.
You can email Operation Battle Born Ruck to Remember at operationbattleborn@gmail.com or call the TMCC Veteran Services at 775-337-5612. The webpage is www.eventbrite.com/e/operation-battle-born-2022-northern-nevada-registration-registration-315742924587.
The dates and time are May 28 beginning at 8 a.m. from the state capitol building to May 30.
Mustang 22 charity poker tourney
The 12th Mustang 22 Memorial Charity Poker Tournament is May 14 at the Reno Elks Lodge, 597 Kumle Lane, in Reno.
The committee is soliciting donations for charity events and any amount is greatly appreciated. For every $50 the committee collects, they sponsor a young man or woman from any of the services who would like to play. Anything we receive over and above goes straight to the charity fund for future scholarships.
To donate, go to the webpage (Mustang22Memorial.com). On the Home page you will see a donation option toward the bottom where you can donate any amount.
The Mustang 22 Memorial Charity Poker Tournament begins at 4 p.m. for drinks, dinner at 5 p.m., and playing to start at 6 p.m.
The cost is $50, which includes a steak dinner provided by the Elks Lodge; the cost for non-playing guest is $35.
The easiest way to pay is by going to our website at "Mustang22Memorial.com", click the tab under "EVENTS" and you'll see the flyer attached.
There is a "Buy Now" button that you can use to pay your entry fee of $50 for those playing and also a separate “Buy Now” on the page for non-playing guest for the $35 payment (covers the cost of the meal).
If you scan the QR code on the flyer with your phone camera, it will also take you to the website. As always, you can still pay by check.
Checks can be sent to:
Mustang 22 Memorial
1721 Burwood Circle
Reno, NV 89521
The Mustang 22 Memorial is an IRS 501(c)3 non-profit, EIN 32-0314602.
Veterans Healing Camp
Veterans Healing Camp will celebrate the theme “Holding Out For A Hero” at the sixth annual Nowruz “New Year” Celebration Feast on Saturday, May 7, 5-10 p.m. at the Casino Fandango Grand Ballroom in Carson City.
This fundraiser features food, live music, dancing, a silent auction, door prizes, and more. All proceeds will benefit non-profit Veterans Healing Camp.
Veterans will be asked to stand up as their service branch theme song is played on the bagpipe, and then to walk across the stage and be recognized.
The American Legion Color Guard will present the flag as local bagpipe artist Sean Cummings performs Amazing Grace. The dinner buffet starts at 6 p.m.
Mardu Lydick from the Military Animal Project will speak. The organization matches veterans with specially-trained service dogs.
Musician Randy Ide will perform. There will also be a silent auction and a door prize drawing.
Tickets are $40 (children are $10). Reserve two tables of 6 for $430. Tickets are available at the Casino Fandango cashier cage or by contacting Shahla Fadaie at 775-781-2394. Credit cards accepted.
Veterans Healing Camp is a nonprofit headquartered in Silver Springs. The goal is to help educate veterans to overcome fear and anxiety to live a healthy and productive life.
For information, call Fadaie at 775-781-2394 or go to veteranshealingcamp.org.
