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Hawthorne celebrates annual Armed Forces Day
The third weekend of every May brings the “Stars and Stripes” out in full force in Hawthorne.
“America’s Patriotic Home” is the self-proclaimed title of Hawthorne so dubbed because of the large celebration it has hosted every Armed Forces Day for 73 years.
The annual parade begins to line up entrants at 11 a.m. for a noon start on May 18.
A one-hour drive south of Fallon will get you the best of the spirit of rural Nevada from the traditional casino feel of the El Capitan to the hospitality of Barley’s Sports Bar.
There is something for everyone every day in this one stoplight town that is home to the largest U.S. Army ammunition storage facility in the world.
Craft and food vendors interspersed between local businesses bring even more flavor and flair to Hawthorne.
The Vietnam Moving Wall
The Vietnam Moving Wall Minden Project is coming to Douglas County May 23-28 and is hosted by the Eastside Memorial Park on 1600 Buckeye Road.
Viewing the wall is free and open to the pubic 24 hours a day.
The building of the wall takes place May 23, and the opening ceremony is May 24. Two events are slated for May 26: a community barbecue and candlelight vigil. The closing ceremony is May 27.
Sponsors and volunteers are need. Contact Nadia Sandoval at 775-782-2215 or 310-991-8694 or email nadia@eastsidememorialpark.com. The website is www.eastsidememorialpark.com.
This half size replica of the Vietnam Wall in Washington, D.C.
Here is the schedule:
May 22 — The wall is coming from Southern California and will be parked at the Carson Valley Inn for the night.
May 23 — The wall will be escorted from CVI to the Eastside Memorial Park. Anyone interested in being part of the escort parade should meet at the CVI parking lot at 8 a.m. Starting at 10 a.m., the wall will be built on top of a base (which will be built the prior two weeks with materials donated by Home Depot).
May 24 — Opening ceremony at 10 a.m. with a helicopter fly over and landing as well as speeches from local dignitaries. Viewing of the wall will be open 24 hours until 8 a.m. May 28. Memorial items can be brought to leave at the wall - these items will be sent back with the wall.
May 25 — Viewing Day
May 26 — Community Barbeque at 7 p.m., especially for veterans but all are invited. A Candlelight vigil to welcome home Vets will occur at 9:30 p.m.
May 27 — Closing Ceremony at 7 p.m.
May 28 - Wall comes down at 8 a.m.
Volunteers are needed at the site to be name locators, escorts, rovers and security guards. Three options exist for orientation training: 10 a.m. May 17, 10 a.m. May 18 or 6 p.m. May 20.
Volunteer details and registration can be located at www.eastsidememorialpark.com.
Memorial Day flag placement
Join volunteers at Lone Mountain Cemetery in Carson City on May 24 at 4 p.m. for the placement of flags on the headstones of veterans.
We will meet in the middle of the cemetery and pass out bundles of flags. Flags are to be placed in the upper left corner of each headstone marked of a veteran, approximately 2 inches above the corner.
We will return on May 27 at 4 p.m. to remove the flags and return them to storage.
For information, contact John Hefner at csmjvh@Hotmail.com or 775-720-6995.
All Veteran Honor Guard seeks volunteers
The Northern Nevada All Veteran Honor Guard is the only “All Veteran” Honor Guard Certified by the Department of Defense in Northern Nevada and is sponsored by the American Legion High Desert Post 56 in Carson City. This is a non-profit organization and all services are provided at no cost to the family.
Qualifications are only that you have served in one of the branches of military service and available on weekdays. We do not provide services on Sundays.
If you are interested in joining this team of dedicated veterans, honoring veterans, and would like to observe what they do, please contact the guard commander, Jim Jackson, at 775-443-8507.
Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery
• May 23 at 9 a.m. — Unaccompanied Service at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Open to the public.
• Saturday, May 25 at 8 a.m. —Flags-in day at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley. The flags will be placed on each gravesite in preparation for Memorial Day. Volunteers are needed, and there’s no need to RSVP.
• Monday, May 27 at 11 a.m. — Memorial Day at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley. Open to the public. Donation of refreshments from local businesses or individuals is very much appreciated.
Ruck to Remember 2024
The Truckee Meadows Veterans Club of TMCC is partnering with the University of Nevada, Reno, to execute Operation Battle Born: Ruck to Remember 2024 to honor the fallen heroes from the Global War on Terrorism.
Over four days, veterans and volunteers from across the state will take turns carrying two rucksacks that share almost 7,000 service member dog tags to include the 57 fallen Nevadans who have made the ultimate sacrifice since Sept. 11, 2001.
In their honor, the ruck march will begin from the Eastside Memorial Park in Minden to the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Participants will be asked to challenge themselves physically and mentally, facing the heat and the weight of the fallen heroes on their backs.
The final leg of this Ruck March will be on Monday, May 27 (Memorial Day at 11 a.m.) to the NNVMC in Fernley. For information, email Operation Battle Born Ruck to Remember at vetereans@tmcc.edu or call TMCC Veteran Services at 775-337-5612.
NAMI education conference
Registration for the 2024 NAMI Nevada Annual Education Conference is open.
• We are honoring our heroes: Serving Those Who Have Served
• Meet our Presenters: Some of our presenters have served in different branches of the Military, including the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, and the U.S. Navy.
• Learn about the military culture: Learn about the invisible wounds, their sacrifices, trauma, impacts to family, and how we can better serve them.
• Meet and greet therapy dogs: Get ready to meet a team of local certified therapy dogs.
Limited availability: Secure your spot before it's too late. The opportunity to connect with professionals and peers in person is rare and invaluable.
Register at https://whova.com/portal/registration/namin_202212/
Dinner and veterans’ town hall
Join Chapter 7 of the Disabled American Veterans in Carson City on May 18 for an evening of spaghetti and a veterans’ town hall.
There is no charge for the event. Representatives from various veterans’ groups will be on hand. They will present their mission and the services they offer to support all veterans.
Representatives from Department of Veterans Services, Veterans Administration Outreach Team, Adopt-A-Vet, Veteran’s Guest House, New Dawn Treatment Center, Nations Finest and Veteran’s Benefits Administration will be present.
Veterans will also be able to discuss their VA claims with Veteran Service Officers.
The event will be held at the Calvary Chapel in Carson City at 1635 East Clearview Drive. For information, contact John Hefner at 775-720-6995 or email csmjvh@Hotmail.com.
Summer military barbecue
Come and join your fellow veterans from all branches of service for our fun and entertaining annual summer barbecue June 15 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Bartley Ranch Regional Park’s Plaza Pavilion in Reno.
Each ticket purchase includes 1-pound hot dogs, hamburgers with or without cheese, vegetarian option available, baked beans, potato salad, potato & corn chips, dessert and non-alcoholic beverages. Beer and wine will be available for purchase on site.
Space is limited to the first 100 registrants so sign up now to reserve your spot. Registration closes June 8 at 10 p.m. For payment options, go to https://www.battlebornmarines.com/event-details/summer-military-bbq-2024/form
Tickets are $25 if purchased after June 8 (If available).
All net proceeds benefit Marine Corps League 672, Military Officers Association of America Sierra Nevada Chapter & Vietnam Veterans of America 989 equally.
Veterans Transition Reserve Center barbecue
The Veterans Transition Reserve Center is having its 10th annual veterans barbecue party of June 22 beginning at noon. There will be fun, food and music by Whiskey & Wolves.
Special guest is Sgt. Dixie Thompson, one of the first women assigned to a combat Military Police unit.
The event is at the Davis residence, 1191 Manhattan Way in Garnerville. RSVP to D’Nese at 702-343-5642 or d.davis@vtrc.us.
Health care: 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 (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.
Developed by a dedicated CSP workgroup, which includes occupational and physical therapists, this comprehensive library of resources aims to enhance the safety of Veterans within the comfort of their homes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Military articles and news briefs are compiled by the Nevada News Group. Questions may be directed to SNMGmilitaryeditor@gmail.com.