Four authors have been speaking on successive Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at the Churchill County Museum. Copies of their books will also be on sale. The May 25 speaker is Steve Ranson, the coordinator of the project, “Legacies of the Silver State: Nevada Goes to War.” During his career as a journalist, he has had a longtime interest in World War II veterans. He will wrap up the lecture series that also featured Ken Beaton, Michael Leonard and Dan Quinley. 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. The project has donated almost $19,000 to Honor Flight Nevada. In addition to the overview of Legacies of the Silver State: Nevada Goes to War, Ranson and the museum will also raffle some MREs (meals ready to eat) and a challenge coin to give guests a feel of the military. The museum’s 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 St., 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. Memorial Day – state cemeteries Be sure to mark your calendar and make your plans for Memorial Day events at both the Southern and Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemeteries. This year, Memorial Day is May 30, and all events hosted by the Nevada Department of Veterans Services will be held in-person. The timeline for the weekend is as follows: This year’s flag-in is on May 28. This year, flag-In volunteers will receive a commemorative “Thank You” pin, while supplies last. Volunteer groups or individuals who do not want to miss their special gift, are advised to arrive early or on time. Fernley: 8:30 a.m. at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Volunteers are asked to assemble in the paved area at the pavilion. Memorial Day Ceremony – Monday, May 30 Fernley: 11 a.m. at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery. The Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery is located at 14 Veteran’s Way in Fernley. Memorial Day events at NNVMC are held in partnership with the Nevada Veterans Coalition. 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 on 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.” Admission for ground and cockpit tours at Minden-Tahoe will be $10 per person or $20 per family.
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.
