Gold Star family remembrance event is Sunday
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, on Sunday.
The fifth annual Gold Star Mothers and Family Luminary event will be conducted at the Gold Star Family Memorial Monument on the grounds of the Northern Nevada State Veterans home, 36 Battle Born Way in Sparks. The customary ceremony at 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.
Caregiver Support Program
The Caregiver Support Program announced the launch of its "Safe Transfer" series of videos and an accompanying tip sheet designed specifically 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 key 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: .
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. 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 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 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 through 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 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.
Open to middle school students in sixth through eighth grades, nearly 55,800 students participate annually in the Patriot's Pen essay competition. Bryant Day, the 2023-2024 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
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 tickets. There are a variety of sports events, comedy shows, etc., available.
Military s and news briefs are compiled by the Nevada News Group.
Questions may be directed to SNMG
