Northern Nevada military news briefs

DEERS station opens in Carson City

A new Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) station in Carson City gives uniformed service members access to the Department of Defense’s database that includes information for each uniformed service member (including active duty, retired, and reserve component individuals), DOD civilians, and other personnel as directed by the DOD.

The new Carson City station, located within the Office of the Adjutant General, 2460 Fairview Drive. Reno has a DEERS station at the Nevada Air National Guard Base, 1776 National Guard Way.

DEERS enrollment is essential for those seeking a military common access card or a Uniformed Services identification card. DEERS registration is also required for TRICARE eligibility and enrollment.

Although some DEERS information may be updated online (https://idco.dmdc.osd.mil/idco/), site security manager Sgt. Adriana Toth said service members should make an appointment to see her for initial enrollments and major life updates.

Toth requests DEERS applicants make an appointment to see her at: https://idco.dmdc.osd.mil/idco/ (use the location “AG HQ Nevada.”) Due to security issues, walk-in appointments are not possible. Toth’s office hours are 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Appointments take about 30 minutes.

She can also be contacted at 775-887-7349 or Adriana.toth.mil@army.mil. Individuals with confirmed appointments should bring state or federal identification and their confirmed appointment email to the OTAG security gate at the prescribed time for entry.

To request an appointment at the Reno DEERS station, go to: https://airbasescheduler.com/fss/ or call 775-788-4523.

For information about identification card processing at Naval Air Station Fallon, call 775-426-2808.

AUSA dinner

Association of the United States Army Veterans Day dinner speaker is Maj. Gen. Ondra Berry, 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 will be held at the Tamarack Casino, 13101 S. Virginia St., Reno.

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

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

Gold Star remembrance

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

The 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.

AVVA member of the year

Brigitte Stafford, a Sierra Nevada Chapter 989 representative and Nevada state president of the Associates for Vietnam Veterans of America, has recently been named member of the year for the national organization.

According to Chapter 989, this award is a highly esteemed recognition and symbol of honor bestowed upon an active member who has exhibited exceptional service to veterans, the AVVA and their local community.

Stafford joined Chapter 989 in 2018 as event planner and coordinator, and she has been cited as an inspirational leader, expanding its membership three-fold while helping the local chapter achieve its outreach and community goals. She has served as chapter representative since 2021, and was named Veteran Supporter of the Month of October 2021 by former Gov. Steve Sisolak.

As the event planner, she has served as the chief lead helping coordinate participants, locations, and supplies for the multitude of events the chapter has organized. Stafford has increased the events honoring all military services.

“Her exemplary performance during the year represents the best of the Vietnam Veterans of America and the AVVA. We are deeply grateful for her continuing service and leadership and encourage her to continue her dedicated work,” said John M. Ostrander, board chair of VVA Sierra Nevada Chapter 989.

Chapter 989 was established in 2007. The organization invites anyone who would like to support area veterans to join them by volunteering. Individuals do not have to be a veteran. For information, visit website at www.vvareno989.org.

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

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 2023-24 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.

Vet Tix 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.

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