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 consists of three CF Moto CFORCE ATVs, one each of 600, 500 and 110.

Third prize is a Ruger American bolt action rife with scope. Plus, there will be many great 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 and a book of 10 tickets is $100.

AUSA dinner

Association of the United States Army Veterans Day dinner speaker is Maj. Gen. Ondra, the adjutant general of Nevada, on Nov. 8

A social hour begins at 5 p.m. followed by dinner at 6 p.m. The cost is $58 per person. The dinner weill be held at the Tamarack Casino, 13101 S. Virginia St., Reno.

For additional information, contact David Sousa, 775-544-8786 or vfwsousa@gmail.com

RSVP online at https://www.ausa-westmoreland.org.

Honor Flight Nevada lunch

Join Honor Flight Nevada for lunch on Aug. 25 at 11:30 a.m. This is HFN’s first luncheon of the summer. The event will he held at the Atlantis Casino & Spa Luncheon. Tickets are on sale now at www.honorflightnv.org/

Gold Star remembrance

On Sept. 29, day for solemn remembrance, Nevadans will stand with all the nation’s Gold Star mothers and fathers, wives and husbands, and daughters and sons — all the families who are grieving a loved one, a patriot, who died fighting to defend our country and preserve our freedom.

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, located at 36 Battle Born Way, Sparks.

The customary ceremony 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 American Legion Auxiliary is having an $8 spaghetti feed on Aug 23.

Update: For veterans exposed to toxins, hazards

Individuals may want to see one of the state’s veterans service officers (VSO) 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 (CSP) 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. In addition, caregivers can use the accompanying tip sheet as a comprehensive guide, offering insights into proper transfer techniques, caregiver body mechanics, and key considerations throughout the transfer process.

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 currently accepting applications for models through the following link: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/modelapp24.

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.

Nevada Veterans Coalition

Sept. 11 from 9-10 a.m. 9/11 Remembrance at the Out of Town Park in Fernley, 560 Country Hollow Drive. Sept. 26 from 9-9:30 a.m. Unaccompanied service at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley.

To sponsor a veterans wreath for the Northern Nevada Veteran Memorial Cemetery in Fernley, go to www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/18574/Overview.

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 Sept. 9. The group would really like to increase participation. Currently, the group has about 20-25 regulars.

Hopefully, you will consider joining us in August. Remember there is no charge from the Elks for the breakfast.

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

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.

The G.I. Bill is an essential tool for many veterans to advance their education. 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 accepting entries for its 78th annual 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.

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 2023-2024 Patriot’s Pen first place winner, was sponsored by VFW Post 9943 and its Auxiliary in Mansfield, Ohio.

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, 2024.

Vet Tix offers discount tickets to events

The address is vettix.org. for veterans to register for discount tickets. Once you register, you can receive emails of all the events that they receive tickets and then apply for the tix. There are all kinds of sports events, comedy shows, etc.

Veterans Guest House

The Veterans Guest House, a Reno nonprofit dedicated to ensuring the veteran community has access to the medical care they need, can host up to 33 individuals a night.

Donations: Financial contributions are crucial to maintaining and expanding the services provided by Veterans Guest House. Monetary gifts help cover the cost of housing, transportation, meals and other essential services for veterans and their families. Gift cards for transportation and restaurant franchises are in high demand at the moment.

Letters of Support: The organization is inviting community members to write letters or notes of gratitude to guests at the House. These letters can offer comfort and encouragement to veterans facing difficult circumstances.

To donate or volunteer, individuals can visit www.veteransguesthouse.org or call 775-324-6958. Letters of encouragement may be mailed to the Veterans Guest House, 880 Locust St., Reno, NV 89502.

To learn more about Veterans Guest House, visit www.veteransguesthouse.org.

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