Gibbons dedicates flagpole at vets' home

Appeal Capitol Bureau

After a year of unsuccessful efforts, the members of the Disabled American Veterans living in Mountain Springs Retirement Home on North Mountain Street finally have their flagpole.

Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., officiated at the dedication Thursday, but he credited Supreme Court candidate John Mason and his wife, Bianca, for donating the pole.

Bianca Mason said the pole was at the new home she and her husband purchased in Reno, and "we didn't really need it."

When they heard the retirement home was looking for a pole, they offered to donate theirs.

At more than 25 feet tall, the pole was brought to Carson City and installed by Terry Wassick, Jake Jacobsen and Lenny Ploplys at no charge.

RN Supervisor Colleen Chambers said all the men at the home are veterans - several of them highly decorated - and they have been trying to raise money for a pole for about a year.

She said the flagpole was a very important symbol for them.