AUSA Dinner

The Association of the United States Army Veterans Day dinner on Nov. 8 will feature Maj. Gen. Ondra Berry, the retired adjutant general of Nevada, as the keynote speaker. 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 Tamarack Casino, 13101 S. Virginia St., Reno. For additional information, contact David Sousa at 775-544-8786 or [email protected]. RSVP online at ausa-westmoreland.org. The deadline is Nov. 1.

Berry served as the adjutant general for the State of Nevada from 2019 to 2024. He was the senior uniformed Nevada National Guard officer responsible for formulating, developing and coordinating policies, programs and plans affecting more than 4,700 Nevada Army and Air National Guard personnel.

Appointed by the governor of Nevada five years ago, Berry was the principal advisor on all National Guard issues and responsible for both the federal and state missions of the Nevada National Guard.
This will be Berry’s first public appearance following his retirement last week.

VVA 989 Camos to Classroom

The annual Camos to Classroom scholarship program is rapidly approaching.

The event will take place on Nov. 16 at the Renaissance Hotel Ballroom, 1 South Lake St., Reno. The evening includes a no-host cocktail hour, a silent auction, live entertainment by the University of Nevada Reno jazz ensemble, dinner, a program and the presentation of scholarships. The featured speaker is Nevada’s newest adjutant general, Brig. Gen. D. Rodger “Dan” Waters. General seating is $140 per person, and assigned seating is available. Sponsorship opportunities are also offered. For questions, call Brigitte Stafford at 650-888-2564. This non-political event is sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Nevada Chapter 989 Veterans Benefit Foundation.
To order tickets online, visit vvaReno989.org.

VFW Speech Contest Deadline Oct. 31

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is accepting entries for its 78th annual 2024–2025 Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen youth scholarship competitions. This year’s theme for high school students is “Is America Today Our Forefathers’ Vision?” while middle school students will consider “My Voice in America’s Democracy.” The VFW’s Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen essay competitions encourage a better understanding and appreciation of America, fostering patriotism among today’s youth. The programs also offer friendly competition and scholarships 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 grades nine through 12. The national first-place prize is a $35,000 scholarship. First-place winners from each state receive a special Parade of Winners trip to Washington, D.C., sponsored by Twisted X, where they will compete for more than $170,000 in national scholarships. Nearly 22,000 high school students participate annually.

The Patriot’s Pen essay competition is open to middle school students in grades six through eight, with approximately 55,800 students participating annually. Entries, along with a completed entry form, must be submitted to a local participating VFW Post. The deadline for both contests is Oct. 31, 2024. For more information or to submit entries, visit your local participating VFW Post.

Caregiver Support Program

The Caregiver Support Program (CSP) has launched its “Safe Transfer” series of videos and an accompanying tip sheet, designed specifically for caregivers assisting veterans with body mechanics and transfers. These resources offer essential tips for safe transfers involving beds, wheelchairs, toilets and tubs. Caregivers can also refer to the tip sheet for guidance on proper techniques and caregiver body mechanics. Developed by a CSP workgroup that includes occupational and physical therapists, this comprehensive resource library is intended to enhance the safety of veterans at home. Access the videos and tip sheet at the CSP website: caregiver.va.gov/Tips_Tools.asp.

Veterans Day Events

Veterans will be treated to a free breakfast on Nov. 11 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Fallon Convention Center. The event will begin with opening ceremonies followed by breakfast for the first 500 veterans. New Millennium is the sponsor. The Veterans Day parade in Virginia City starts at 11 a.m. on C Street, while the Reno parade begins at 11:11 a.m. on Virginia Street.

Veterans Upward Bound

Veterans Upward Bound at Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno offers veterans assistance 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 more information, call 775-829-9007 or email [email protected]. Visit their website at vub.tmcc.edu.

Nevada Guard Retiree Monthly Meetings

• The Nevada Air Guard’s monthly breakfast is held on the second Tuesday of the month at 8:30 a.m. at the Reno Elks Club.
• The Nevada Army Guard’s breakfast takes place on the second Monday of the month at 8 a.m. at the Carson City Elks Club. (November’s meeting will be on the 18th.) The group would like to increase participation—currently, about 20 to 25 regulars attend.
  There is no charge for breakfast at the Elks Club. Each meeting typically features a guest speaker. Guests are welcome.

Nevada Veterans Coalition

• Oct. 24: 3-3:30 p.m. — Unaccompanied service at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley, 14 Veterans Way.
• Nov. 11, 12 p.m. — BBQ for Veterans Day at Vet Mech Arms. This is a fundraiser for the Nevada Veterans Coalition and other veterans organizations. Visit their shop or call 775-294-5458 for more information.

Veterans Parents Act

The Education Flexibility for Veteran Parents Act will allow veterans with children to access full housing benefits through the G.I. Bill, regardless of whether the program is in person or online. Currently, veterans who are parents and pursue online education are only eligible for half of the G.I. Bill’s housing benefits, often forcing them to choose between attending in-person classes or staying home with their children.

DEERS Station Opens in Carson City

A new Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) station in Carson City provides improved access for uniformed service members to the Department of Defense’s database. The new station, located within the Office of the Adjutant General at 2460 Fairview Drive, replaces the DEERS station in Reno that recently closed. However, a DEERS station remains operational at the Nevada Air National Guard Base, 1776 National Guard Way.
DEERS enrollment is required for military common access cards, Uniformed Services ID cards, TRICARE eligibility and enrollment. To make an appointment, visit idco.dmdc.osd.mil (location: AG HQ Nevada). Due to security, walk-in appointments are not available. To schedule an appointment at the Reno DEERS station, visit airbasescheduler.com/fss or call 775-788-4523. For information on ID card processing at Naval Air Station Fallon, call 775-426-2808.

Vet Tix Discount Tickets to Events

Veteran Tickets Foundation (Vet Tix), a national nonprofit, provides free tickets to sporting events, concerts and family activities for military members, veterans of all eras and the immediate families of those killed in action. Since 2008, Vet Tix has provided over 25 million tickets to more than 2 million members. In 2018, Vet Tix launched 1st Tix, offering similar benefits to first responders, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs and 911 dispatchers. These events help service members, veterans and first responders reduce stress, strengthen family bonds, build lifelong memories and stay connected with their communities. Visit VetTix.org and 1stTix.org to learn more.

Veterans Guest House Needs Supplies

The Veterans Guest House in Reno is asking for help as their pantry shelves are running low.
This nonprofit provides free lodging for veterans and their families when they come to Reno/Sparks for medical care. The house, which accommodates more than 30 veterans at a time, has been breaking capacity records in 2024. The nonprofit is in need of canned meats (such as Spam, Vienna sausages, canned chicken, tuna and salmon), canned fruits and soups, bottled water, cereals, individually wrapped chips, low-sodium TV dinners and gas and gift cards. Any assistance in spreading the word would be appreciated.

Military articles and news briefs are compiled by the Nevada News Group. Questions may be directed to [email protected].