The Army and Air Guard set up displays and tables to answer questions at Wednesday’s Veterans and Military Day at the Legislature.
Photo by Steve Ranson.
Veterans and military supporters from every corner of the state attended the Nevada Legislature in Carson City on Wednesday to network and meet lawmakers.
The Nevada National Guard, United Veterans Legislative Council and Nevada Department of Veterans Services sponsor Veterans and Military Day at the Legislature, which is held on the third Wednesday in March.
This year’s event included the announcement of the Veterans of the Month and Veteran Supporters of the Month as well as a presentation of Quilts of Gratitude from the Comstock Lode Quilters.
Mary Devine, NDVS director, offered welcoming remarks after the Nevada Veterans Coalition paraded the colors. Devine is retiring from the Nevada Army National Guard within a month after more than 30 years of military service. She will continue to lead the NDVS.
“We have over 200 supporters in our audience today breaking our record from the previous session,” she said. “Our (Veterans Affairs) and (Vietnam Veterans of America) partners are with us.”
Devine also thanked those who are involved with the various service organizations, and she recognized special guests including 97-year-old World War II veteran Beatrice “Bea” Thayer of Reno, and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Wally Luetje, resident council president of the Northern Nevada State Veterans Home in Sparks.
Brig. Gen. Rodger “Dan” Waters, the state’s 31st adjutant general, delivered the keynote address. Waters, who assumed the state leadership position in October, has spent more than four decades in the military.
“Everything we do is from the success of people in this room who served our nation,” Waters said.
His comments focused on the families who support the military men and women.
“Every time I deployed, I wasn’t worried about me, I wasn’t worried about the team,” he said. "It’s making sure we have the support services for families left in the back, for the families who stayed home talking care of the kids.”
Waters said the day at the Legislature brings together men and women who celebrate the nation’s values and character as well as those nurtured in Nevada.
“Nevada is Battle Born and admitted in the Union in 1864 by President Lincoln to ensure our nation would move forward to ensure the continued security of that Union,” he said. “We continue to do it today with incredible leadership, with people who are dedicated to our state and nation.”
Waters then asked those in the audience to look around the room. He said they’re all dedicated and committed to the ideals that founded the nation.
Presentations, a demonstration and visiting the Capitol grounds rounded out the morning.
Marsha Strand, co-founder of the Comstock Lode Quilters, along with Mona Crandell Hook and Janelle Martin presented special quilts to five veterans.
“Though we may never know the depth of your sacrifice, we present you with this Quilt of Gratitude,” Strand said. “Americans from colonial times have embraced the quilt as a symbol of home and comfort.”
RECOGNITION
Veterans of the Month
• Daniel Walker, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He is a lifelong member of the Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.
Walker is active in many organizations that provide wheelchairs for Nevadans, meals for those in need and support to youth programs.
• Dr. Robert Devin is a U.S. Navy veteran who served as a naval dentist for 20 years. He was one of the first dentists to volunteer his services for the Adopt a Vet Dental program.
Devin is active in the Navy League, Disabled American Veterans and military officer organizations.
Veteran Supporters of the Month
• Kristopher Dahir, a former Sparks councilman, spearheaded the drive to build the Nevada Veterans Memorial Plaza in Sparks. He also volunteers at the Nevada State Veterans Home as a chaplain.
• Thomas Myatt serves as clinical director for the Adopt a Vet Dental program and also spends hundreds of hours volunteering at various golf tournaments in support of the dental program.
Youth Serving Veterans Award
• Fiona and Faith Jersey are the founders of Kid’s Kindness Committee with Second Chances. This local nonprofit spreads kindness and joy in a unique way. Young people volunteer to help seniors and veterans by crating Karma Boxes that contain fun items and goodies.
Quilts of Gratitude
• D. Rodger “Dan” Waters, U.S. Army, Nevada Army National Guard. Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Enduring Freedom.
• Mary Devine, Nevada Army National Guard. Operation Enduring Freedom.
• Mark Prizinia, Nevada Air National Guard. Operation Enduring Freedom.
• Rommel Ferrer, U.S. Marine Corps, Nevada Army National Guard. Gulf War, Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom.
• David Connolly, U.S. Army, Nevada Army National Guard. Operation Iraqi Freedom.