DEERS station opens in Carson City
A new Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) station in Carson City promises to give uniformed service members in the Capital City region improved 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, replaces the recently closed DEERS station in Reno at the Military Services Support Center at 685 E. Plumb Lane. Reno does retain a DEERS station just a short distance from Plumb Lane 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, and she has 13 available time slots each business day. She can also be contacted at 775-887-7349 or [email protected]. Individuals with confirmed appointments should bring their state or federal identification and confirmed appointment email to the OTAG security gate at the prescribed time for entry.
To request an appointment at the Reno DEERS station, visit 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
Maj. Gen. Ondra Berry, the adjutant general of Nevada, will speak at the Association of the United States Army Veterans Day dinner 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 at the Tamarack Casino, 13101 S. Virginia St., Reno. For additional information, contact David Sousa at 775-544-8786 or [email protected]. RSVP online at https://www.ausa-westmoreland.org.
Gold Star remembrance
On Sept. 29, a 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 Gold Star Mothers and Family Luminary event will be held at the Gold Star Family Memorial Monument on the grounds of the Northern Nevada State Veterans Home, located at 36 Battle Born Way, Sparks, Nevada, 89431.The customary ceremony begins at 6 p.m. with a reading of the Gold Star Mother and Family Proclamation and placement of the luminary.
Contact David Sousa, Survivor Outreach Services Support Coordinator, at 775-384-5838 for information.
Caregiver Support Program
The Caregiver Support Program (CSP) announces the launch of its innovative “Safe Transfer” series of videos and an accompanying tip sheet explicitly designed 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 critical 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.
Delay looming for veterans’ compensation
The clock is ticking on a $3 billion shortfall at the Department of Veterans Affairs, threatening to delay veterans’ compensation in October. The American Legion calls on Congress to act before October’s recess to fund this shortfall. Visit The American Legion website (https://www.votervoice.net/AmericanLegion/Campaigns) to let members of Congress know that the veteran community and Legion family demand accountability for this shortfall and that veterans receive their compensation on Oct. 1.
Champagne luncheon & fashion show
Veterans Guest House in Reno is hosting the 2024 Champagne Luncheon & Fashion Show at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa on Friday, Oct. 18, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 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 welcomes veterans. TMCC can help with academic advisement, college applications, educational benefits, academic review and referrals to community resources. For information, call 775-829-9007 or email [email protected]. 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 next breakfast is on Sept. 9. The group wants to increase participation. Currently, the group has about 20-25 regulars.
The Elks do not charge for breakfast. Each meeting normally features a guest speaker. Guests are welcome.
VFW speech contests
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is now accepting entries for its 78th annual 2024-2025 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 Voice of Democracy audio-essay competition is open to high school students in ninth through 12th grades. The national first-place prize scholarship totals $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. Nearly 22,000 high school students worldwide compete in the competition each year. 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.Read more about the contests, or submit your essay and entry form at your local participating VFW Post.
Vet Tix Discount tickets to events
The address is vettix.org, where veterans can register for discount tickets. Once you register, you can receive emails about all the events for which tickets can be purchased at a discount.
Veterans Guest House
The Veterans Guest House, a Reno nonprofit dedicated to ensuring the veteran community has access to medical care, can host up to 33 individuals a night. There has been a surge of growing attendance at the house. In response, Veterans Guest House is calling on the Northern Nevada community to assist through financial or in-kind donations and a letter-writing initiative.
Visit www.veteransguesthouse.org for more information.
The Nevada News Group compiles military articles and news briefs. Questions may be directed to [email protected].
