By the time this is published, I will have attended Veterans and Military Day at the Legislature in Carson City. At the Veterans Wall at the state Capitol building, Gov. Brian Sandoval and other leaders will address the attendees, and other elected officials will be available to meet with veterans and active-duty personnel.
Currently, there are numerous bills in the Assembly that have been introduced by the Nevada Department of Veterans Services, and it’s expected that some of those attending the annual event will lobby for passage. A few of the bills are noted as follows, as well as the committees they are sitting in as we go to press:
n AB62: Revises certain provisions relating to veterans. It’s in the government affairs committee.
n AB71: Revises provisions relating to military veterans and members and relatives of members of the Nevada National Guard. It’s in the taxation committee.
n AB76: Makes changes relating to the education of veterans and their dependents. It’s in the education committee.
n AB89: Makes changes to provisions relating to certain professions: It’s in the education committee.
n AB103: Provides for the issuance of license plates for veterans who are awarded the Silver or Bronze Star. It’s in the transportation committee.
All of the bills noted above are favored to pass. Officials also are pouring over the state’s budget and are seeking to fund additional work at the veterans home in Boulder City. Information and applications for applying to be a resident at the home can be obtained by contacting Erin Dugger or Shirley Pfannebecker at 702-332-6717 or 702-332-6730.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
In addition to my visit to Carson City, I am planning to attend the 50th Vietnam Veterans Commemoration on April 18 at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif. All veterans are invited to attend the event, which will pay tribute to veterans of the Vietnam War.
The festivities will include a parade, guest speakers, lunch, static displays and a semiformal dinner and dance. For an updated schedule, visit www.irwin.army.mil. Vietnam veterans can register at www.irwinarmy.mil/Pages/50th. Or, call 760-685-8266.
HECK TO BE HONORED
Rep. Joe Heck, R-Nev., will be honored July 15 at The Orleans in Las Vegas during a Red White Blue gala that is scheduled to pay tribute to America’s veterans. Heck is a brigadier general in the U.S. Army Reserve.
BLINDED VETERANS
ASSOCIATION
Hats off to Joe Tasby, a Marine Corps veteran who is very involved in several organizations. He’s an active member of the Catholic War Veterans, an active member of the Blind Lions organization, commander of American Legion Post 14 and the commander of the local Blinded Veterans Association.
A blinded veteran himself, he wants all blinded veterans to know about the association, in particular, and wants to inform locals that there are two Southern Nevada meetings each month that provide information and assistance.
The Blinded Veterans Association meets on the second Wednesday of the month at Las Vegas American Legion Post 8. The visual impairment services team of the local U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs holds meetings on the first Friday of each month in Las Vegas on West Charleston Boulevard. Both meetings are free to veterans with any type of visual impairments.
For additional details call Tasby at 702-869-8637. (He might even tell you about the American Legion, the Catholic War Veterans and the Blind Lions if you get him started!)
Journalist and author Chuck N. Baker is an Army veteran of the Vietnam War and a recipient of the Purple Heart. He can be heard each Thursday from 8-9 p.m. on “The Veterans Reporter Radio Show” on KLAV 1230 AM.