Sgt. Christina Aguilar of the Nevada Army National Guard presents the U.S. flag to Dominic Damonte, left, at the August unaccompanied service at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley. (Photo: Steve Ranson/LVN)
FERNLEY — The Bishop Manogue Catholic High School junior watched intently at the Nevada Veterans Coalition conducted its month unaccompanied service.
Dominic Damonte, a junior, and a dozen of this classmates attended the 30-minute service Aug. 26 at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley. Damonte, who received the tightly folded U.S. flag near the ceremony, first looked at the Nevada Army National Guard sergeant who presented him with the flag, then he leaned back.
“It puts into perspective how each and every one of the people go to fight,” Damonte said.
While many of the veterans interred at Fernley have served during wars, others enlisted during peacetime.
Damonte said people care for the veterans as evidenced by the large crowds who honor them and the service to remember them.
“Once they are gone, they are not forgotten,” he said.
Damonte said every month a new group of students will attend the unaccompanied service.
Two of his classmates also reflected on the service.
“We wanted to come here and support them,” said Torrance DiGrazia. “It was moving.”
Sioapa Vatalani, whose family comes from the island nation of Tonga, agreed.
“It is very emotional,” Vatalani said, adding he’s not familiar with ceremonies like the unaccompanied service held in Tonga.
Sharon Serenko of the NVC it was awesome the students came out and that they will continue to attend the services.
“Anything that can be said or done to help the young people understand what this country is all about is so important,” she said.
Serenko offered remarks on the veterans and thanked them several times for their military service to their country.
“We have been given the privilege to render the honors and to remember each of these men interred in this hollow place,” she said.
Serenko said every gravestone tells a story to others who visit the cemetery.
Each ceremony also includes a 3-round volley and he playing of taps.
May
Air Force
Sgt. Robert Hanlen; Command Sgt. Charles Snider; A/B Douglas North.
Army
Sgt. Donald Bailey; Cpl. Gerald Thomas; Master Sgt. Lauretta Nawojski; Spec. 4 Frank Vercelli.
Navy
DN Warren Hibbard; FN Donald Wilson; SM3 Joseph Perkins; EN3 George Freeman.
USMC
Pvt. Jerry Johnson
June
Air Force
Capt. Lois Prince; SRA Paul Stockinger; A2C Wesley Tipton.
Army
Spec 4 Ernest Thayer; Capt. James Strong; Sgt. James Jones; Spec. 5 David Mahon.
Coast Guard
RMC Emory Crews
Navy
Lt. Gerald McDonald; RM3 Chester Egan.
USMC
Pfc. Bertie McDonald; Gunny Sgt. Bruce Trevathan.
No service in July
August
Air Force
A2C Ray Gordon.
Army
Pvt. 1 James Smith; Cpl. Jack Ruppert; Spec. 4 Ronald Sheleby; Sgt. First Class Frederick Hersey; Pvt. George Miller; Spec. 5 Frederick Randle; Spec. 4 James Myer.
Navy
ABH3 John Collins; YN3 William Rand; SN Richard Perdock; PN3 Dewayne Chamness.
USMC
Lane Cpl. Jerry Verceles.
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