Former Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander Matthew ‘Fritz’ Milhelcic, left, and Sparks VFW member David Sousa, begin to raise a new Gold Star flag at the Gold Star Families Memorial in Sparks.
Steve Ranson/LVN, file
Gold Star Family Day
Gold Star Family Day is a day to light luminaries at dusk in honor of our fallen heroes.
There will be a brief ceremony just before dusk Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. Immediately following the ceremony, participants will be asked to light a luminary and place it next to the Gold Star Family Memorial located outside the Northern Nevada State Veterans Home.
The memorial will be lit from dusk until 11 p.m. for anyone to honor a loved one.
The last Sunday in September is set aside as a national day of honor and recognition designated as “Gold Star Family Day.”
National Security Forum
The National Security Forum will be a hybrid presentation on Domestic Extremism Risks and Responses.
For information on the program or registration, contact info@nationalsecurityforum.org.
The event is Sept. 20 from 9-10 a.m. An in-person workshop is also 9-10 a.m. at the Reno Elks, 597 Kumle Lane, Reno. Breakfast is served from 8:15-9 a.m. The cost is $30 for members and $35 for guests.
Suicide Prevention Forum
A Suicide Prevention Forum is featuring author and keynote speaker Steven Nicholas.
The forum is Sept. 29 and space is limited. Registration is required. The forum is from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Whitney Peak Hotel in downtown Reno. Nevada National Guard service members, families 18 years of age and older and veterans are encouraged to attend.
For information, contact Jezalea Segura, 775-971-8123, or jezalea.a.segura.civ@army.mil.
Veterans Summit 2023
The Veterans Summit 2023 provides information on Veterans Service Officers, veterans originations, VA healthcare representatives, employment assistance, education information and more.
• Eureka/Austin Eureka Opera House: Sept. 28 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
For information on the summit, contact jrichardson@veterans.nv.gov.
AARP workshop
The 2023 AARP Livable Communities Workshop will explore how local leaders can advance economic development in urban, suburban and rural communities.
The free online workshop will be held Sept. 27 and 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Join national leaders, practitioners and AARP staff and volunteers for a deep dive into four core themes — Built Environment, Digital Connections, Work and Jobs, and Local Economies.
A variety of presentations from more than 30 dynamic speakers will showcase effective livability strategies, initiatives and programs that benefit local economies for people of all ages.
For information and to register, visit AARP.org/Livable2023
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.
This monthly in person and virtual teaching kitchen program has been created to support Veterans with healthy meal planning, preparation, cooking, and nutrition education. Classes occur the first Wednesday of every month from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. and you can participate either in-person at the VA or virtually from the comfort of your own home.
Veterans Upward Bound
Veterans Upward Bound at Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno welcomes veterans. TMCC can help with academic advisement, college applications, educational benefits, academic review and referrals to community resources.
Upward Bound is a U.S. Department of Education program for veterans. For information call 775-829-9007 or email vub@TMCC.edu. The website is vub.tmcc.edu.
Homeless veteran event
The VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System Homeless Veteran Annual Stand Down Event is Sept. 29 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Capitol Hill Veterans Outreach Center, 350 Capitol Hill Ave., in Reno.
For information email bryana.guerra-carrera@va.gov.
AUSA dinner
You are invited to the Association of the United States Army William C. Westmoreland Veterans Day dinner on Nov. 10 at the Tamarack Junction in Reno.
The guest speaker will be Lt. Gen. Leslie Smith, USA retired, the AUSA vice president of Leadership and Education. Smith received his commission from Georgia Southern University (GSU) in 1983 as a Field Artillery officer. In 1985, he graduated from GSU with a bachelor's degree in accounting and as a distinguished military graduate. He branched as a chemical officer.
For information contact vfwsousa@gmail.com
Stand Down
Elks Help Veterans in Need is Oct. 7 from 8 a.m.to 4 p.m. at the Carson City Community Center’s gym, 851 E. William St.
Transportation will be available (free JAC rides all day for veterans). Reserve your resource table, make a donation or volunteer your time. For information, call or text 775-301-0605. You may also email Elks.Lodge.2177.Stand.Down@gmail.com.
Mental Health Summit
The third annual VA VISN Mental Health Summit is Oct. 5 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
The seminar will be held virtually through Webex: bit.ly/45KF85s.
This is a free event, and all community members, veterans, providers and families are welcome to participate.
Topics include “Moral injury after Combat: How War’s Violence Can Impact Veterans’ Lives,” “Moral Injury in War: Conceptualization and Treatment,” and “Moral Injury and Spirituality.”
To register using Webex, use this link: https://veteransaffairs.webex.com/weblink/register/r4e2279a7d354009ec5738473ea83e062
Nevada Transition Assistance Program
A career and resource fair hosed by the Nevada Department of Veterans Services is Sept. 30 from 1-4 p.m. at the American Legion Hall Duby Reid Post 30 in Sparks.
The address is 730 4th St.
For veterans, service members and military families, discover the state and local benefits designed to assist you during life’s transitions. Register at https://bit.ly/nvtap0930.
Exhibitors can set up at 8 a.m., and an exhibitor program is from 9 a.m. to noon. Participants to support transitioning veterans, service members and military families. Register at https://bit.ly/nvtapexb930.
If you register as an exhibitor, do not double register as a participant. Space is limited.
Golf tourney to benefit Veterans Guest House
The 10th Annual Al Porta Memorial Tournament held in honor of decorated World War II veteran Al Porta will be returning on Sept. 24 at Toiyabe Golf Club in Washoe Valley.
All proceeds will benefit Veterans Guest House, a local nonprofit dedicated to ensuring the veteran community has access to the medical care they need.
Those who wish to participate can choose from purchasing a foursome for $520 or individually at $130 per player. Each player will receive a boxed lunch, cart, and range balls. Players can purchase mulligans and raffle tickets. Registration opens at 7 a.m. with a shotgun start at 8 a.m.
Individuals or organizations wishing to sponsor may contact Patrice Klaich, donation relations manager, at patrice@veteransguesthouse.org or 775-324-6958. For registration information, go to https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E355918&id=46.
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. Cost is $10. For information or to confirm, email cindylsullivan@hotmail.com.
• The Nevada Army Guard’s breakfast is on the second Monday of the month at 8 a.m. at the Carson City Elks Club. Cost is $8. For information or to confirm, email csmjvh@hotmail.com.
Veterans news on KKOH
LVN editor emeritus and current military and veterans reporter Steve Ranson will be on KKOH Radio (780 AM) on Friday (Sept. 22) from 4:35-5 p.m. discussing the various events around the area.
Military articles and news briefs are compiled by the Nevada News Group. Questions may be directed to SNMGmilitaryeditor@gmail.com.