Virginia City dedicates veterans memorial

U.S. Air Force Maj. Lisa Maciel from Travis Air Force Base, left, and Jannal Milich unveil a new monument for VFW Post in Virginia City. (Steve Ranson/LVN)

By Steve Ranson

Friday, November 12, 2021

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RELATED: Photo gallery from Virginia City's Veterans Day parade
VIRGINIA CITY — The Comstock was busy Thursday with not only its annual Veterans Day parade but also with a dedication of a Veterans Memorial Monument at the south end of town.
The Evans-Kendall Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8071 of Virginia City and E Clampus Vitus Julia Bulette Chapter and Copper Queen 1915 participated in the dedication that began an hour before the parade.
U.S. Army veteran John Strahan, a spokesman for the VFW post, said the monument will serve as a legacy for all veterans. The 6-foot tall monolith in the shape of the state of Nevada is the result of a cooperative effort between the two groups.

Army 1st Lt. Andy LePeilbet, a Vietnam veteran, delivers remarks at the dedication of a Veterans Memorial Monument by the Evans-Kendall VFW Post 8071 of Virginia City and E Clampus Vitus Julia Bulette Chapter Copper Queen 1915. (Steve Ranson/LVN)

“We had a great turnout a with the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Clampers,” Strahan added. “Veterans day activities and events in Virginia City are big events and fairly well attended.”
Army 1st Lt. Andy LePeilbet, a Vietnam War veteran, offered remarks on the dedication. He is one of the most decorated veterans in Nevada history. LePeilbet has been awarded the Silver Star, Distinguished Service Cross, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal and the Department of the Army Commendation medal.
His unit also received the Cross of Gallantry with Palm award, the Presidential Unit Citation with one Oak Leaf Custer, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm and the Civil Action Honor Medal.
“Today, Nevada and the Virginia City people should think about the history of this monument,” he said.
LePeilbet also recognized the cooperation between ECV and VFW to create the memorial. He also said Nevada currently has 3.1 million people according to the 2020 census.
“The recent census showed 8.9% of Nevadans are actually veterans,” he pointed out. “That’s actually 279,000 veterans in our state.”
LePeilbet said when families are included with the veterans that represents a half million people or 16.9% of the population who are currently connected with the military.
According to LePeilbet, 28 bills were passed for veterans, National Guard, veterans and active military during the last Nevada legislative session.
LePeilbet concluded his remarks by reading the Veterans Creed. He said about five to six years ago, the major veterans organizations in the United States met and devised the creed. The eight points are I am an American veteran; I proudly served my country; I live the values I learned in the military; I continue to serve my community, my country and my fellow veterans; I maintain my physical and mental discipline; I continue to lead and improve; I make a difference; I honor and remember my fallen comrades.

A ceremony for a Veterans Memorial Monument attracted a number of veterans Thursday. (Steve Ranson/LVN)

After the ceremony, Joe Macduff, secretary from the Julia C. Bulette chapter, explained the Clampers mission with the dedication. He said the VFW district commander saw something similar at the Lahontan Reservoir and asked ECV if the group could make one similar for veterans who come from Virginia City.
“Most of our members are veterans and we readily agreed,” Macduff said.
Later this month, he said ECV will replace a memorial east of Fallon for five Navy crew members who died when their helicopter crashed during a training flight in the desert. Macduff said a formal ceremony is slated for the spring.

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Virginia City dedicates veterans memorial

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