Northern Nevada military news briefs

Community 4 Veterans fundraiser

The annual Community 4 Veterans fundraiser for Veterans Helping Veterans has kicked off.

This year’s grand prize is a 2024 29-foot Jayco travel trailer. Second prize is three CF Moto CFORCE ATVs, one each of 600, 500 and 110.

Third prize is a Ruger American bolt-action rifle with scope. There will be door prizes and a free barbecue for ticket holders.

Volunteers are selling raffle tickets in front of The Sportsman’s Warehouse, 3306 Kietzke Lane in Reno.

The drawing will take place Aug. 24. The barbecue begins at noon.

One ticket is $10.

Nevada Guard retiree monthly meetings

• The Nevada Air Guard’s monthly breakfast is on the second Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. at the Reno Elks Club.

• The Nevada Army Guard’s breakfast is on the second Monday of the month at 8 a.m. at the Carson City Elks Club. The next breakfast is Aug.12. The group would like to increase participation. Currently, the group has about 20-25 regulars.

There is no charge from the Elks for the breakfast. At the next meeting we will have the University of Nevada, Reno ROTC representatives speaking to the retirees about their program.

Each meeting normally features a guest speaker. Guests are welcome.

Sunset, Sneakers and Stars Gala

The Sunset, Sneakers and Stars Gala 2024 to support the Nevada Veterans Memorial Plaza is Aug. 15 at 6 p.m.

For reservations, call 775-235-6885 or email info@nvmp.us.

The Nevada Veterans Memorial Plaza is located at The Sparks Marina. It is a statewide memorial where all current 916 servicemen and women (and those in the future) from all counties have been enshrined.

Honor Flight Nevada lunch

Join Honor Flight Nevada for lunch on Aug. 25 at 11:30 a.m.

The event will be held at the Atlantis Casino & Spa Luncheon. Tickets are on sale at www.honorflightnv.org.

Gold Star remembrance

On Sept. 29, the fifth annual Gold Star Mothers and Family Luminary event will be conducted at the Gold Star Family Memorial Monument on the grounds of the Northern Nevada State Veterans home, 36 Battle Born Way in Sparks.

The customary ceremony at begins at 6 p.m., along with a reading of the Gold Star Mother and Family Proclamation and Luminary placement.

For information, contact David Sousa, survivor outreach services support coordinator, at 775-384-5838.

American Legion Post 16, Fallon

The Sons of the American Legion are having $8 smash burgers Aug. 9.

The Legion Riders are doing $8 chicken tender dinner July 19 and Aug. 16.

The American Legion Auxiliary is having an $8 spaghetti feed on July 26 and Aug 23.

Update for veterans exposed to toxins, hazards

Individuals may want to see one of the state’s veterans service officers following the announcement by the Veterans Administration that all veterans exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving in the military – at home or abroad – are eligible to enroll directly in VA health care.

All veterans who served in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, Global War on Terror or any other combat zone after 9/11 will be eligible to enroll directly in VA health care without first being ill or applying for VA benefits. Additionally, veterans who never deployed but were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or on active duty in the United States will also be eligible to enroll.

For questions go to https: veterans.nv.gov.

Caregiver Support Program

The Caregiver Support Program announces the launch of its innovative “Safe Transfer” series of videos and an accompanying tip sheet designed specifically for caregivers assisting veterans with body mechanics and transfers.

These videos feature essential tips and skills tailored to aid caregivers in facilitating safe transfers, including transfers for beds, wheelchairs, toilets, and tubs.

To access these resources, visit CSP’s website, where you'll find the tip sheet and a dedicated YouTube playlist: https://www.caregiver.va.gov/Tips_Tools.asp.

Champagne Luncheon & Fashion Show

Veterans Guest House in Reno is hosting the 2024 Champagne Luncheon & Fashion Show on Friday, Oct. 18 from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa.

The Guest House is accepting applications for models at weblink.donorperfect.com/modelapp24.

Computer Corps military day

Computer Corps in Carson City is hosting a military day Aug. 17 from 1-4 p.m. for all military to come and tour the facility and learn what they do. There will be food and raffle.

If you want to learn more about this organization, go to www.computercorps.org, About Us – Computer Corps, or contact Computer Corps at 775-883-2323.

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.

Veterans 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.

Veterans Parents Act

The Education Flexibility for Veteran Parents Act will allow veterans with children to access full housing benefits provided through the G.I. Bill regardless of whether that program is in person or online.

Currently, veterans who are parents and pursuing their education online are only eligible for half of the G.I. Bill’s available housing benefits. This requirement often forces parents to choose between attending in-person classes to receive full benefits or staying at home with their children.

VFW speech contests

The Veterans of Foreign Wars is now accepting entries for its 78th annual 2024-25 Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen youth scholarship competitions.

This year’s themes ask America’s high school students “Is America Today Our Forefathers' Vision?” while middle school students will have the opportunity to contemplate, “My Voice in America's Democracy.”

The VFW’s Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen essay competitions help encourage a better understanding and appreciation for America and work to foster patriotism among today’s youth. The programs also offer friendly competition as well as reward success in the form of individual scholarships and awards totaling more than $3 million at the national, state and local levels.

The Voice of Democracy audio-essay competition is open to high school students in ninth-12th grades, with the national first place prize scholarship totaling $35,000. The first place department (state) winners receive a special Parade of Winners trip to Washington, D.C., sponsored by Twisted X, where they compete for more than $170,000 in national scholarship awards. Nearly 22,000 high school students worldwide compete in the competition each year.

Open to middle school students in sixth through eighth grade, nearly 55,800 students participate annually in the Patriot’s Pen essay competition. Bryant Day, the 2023-24 Patriot’s Pen first place winner, was sponsored by VFW Post 9943 and its Auxiliary in Mansfield, Ohio. Listen as he delivered his award-winning essay.

Student entries may be submitted (along with a completed entry form) to their local participating VFW Post. The deadline for both contests is Oct. 31.

Read more about the contests, or submit your essay and entry form at your local participating VFW Post.

Military articles and news briefs are compiled by the Nevada News Group. Questions may be directed to SNMGmilitaryeditor@gmail.com.