Retired Nevada Army Guard Command Sgt. Maj. Walter Willson, left, and Pfc. Alexis Baugh cut a cake to celebrate the National Guard’s 387th birthday on Dec. 14.
Provided to the LVN
National Guard birthday
The Nevada National Guard celebrated the National Guard’s 387th birthday on Dec. 14 at the Nevada Army Guard’s Plumb Lane Armory in Reno.
The event featured remarks from Chief Master Sgt. Cameron Pieters, the senior enlisted leader of the Nevada Guard, and historical talks by retired Nevada Army Guard Command Sgt. Maj. Walter Willson and former historian and current public affairs officer Capt. Emerson Marcus.
The National Guard is the oldest component of the U.S. military predating the formation of the first Continental Army in 1775. On Dec. 13, 1636, 140 years before the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the first militia regiments in North America were organized in Massachusetts.
The National Guard now has more than 450,000 members nationwide in all 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia.
The Nevada Guard was established in 1861 and includes about 3,500 soldiers and 1,200 airmen.
Healthy Teaching Kitchen
The Healthy Teaching Kitchen program at the VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System, 955 Kirman Ave., in Reno, provides veterans with nutrition knowledge, cooking skills, and guided practice to build confidence in cooking at home with healthy, minimally processed foods.
Classes occur the first Wednesday of every month from 10-11 a.m. and you can participate either in-person at the VA or virtually.
Veterans Upward Bound
Veterans Upward Bound at Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno can help with academic advisement, college applications, educational benefits, academic review and referrals to community resources.
For information call 775-829-9007 or email vub@TMCC.edu. The website is vub.tmcc.edu.
Survivor Benefit Plan open season
The opportunity to enroll or discontinue Survivor Benefit Plan coverage during the SBP Open Season ends at midnight on Jan. 1.
The 2023 NDAA SBP Open Season does not allow for changes to existing SBP coverage.
Nevada Guard monthly meetings
• The Nevada Air Guard’s monthly breakfast is on the second Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. at the Reno Elks Club. There will be no breakfast in December.
• The Nevada Army Guard’s breakfast is on the second Monday of the month at 8 a.m. at the Carson City Elks Club. There will be no breakfast in December.
Military articles and news briefs are compiled by the Nevada News Group. Questions may be directed to SNMGmilitaryeditor@gmail.com.