Northern Nevada military news briefs

VVA Military Appreciation Night

Sierra Nevada Chapter 989 of Vietnam Veterans of will host Military Appreciation Night at Greater Nevada Field on Aug. 19.

The night will include the rededication of the POW/MIA Chair of Honor at the ballpark.

The ceremony honors a former POW that night and remembers those 18,000 plus POW/MIA still missing. The first honoree in 2019 was VVA chapter member Col. Bill Elander, USAF (ret.) and former resident of the infamous "Hanoi Hilton.”

VVA 989 will have an outreach table in the breezeway on the main concourse.

Local Armed Forces recruiters are also planning an "Oath of Enlistment" for local young men and women prior to the game. VVA will also have a static display of vintage military vehicles on hand along with an Army Guard Humvee with a communications trailer.

Construction prioritized for small arms range

During a July 12 a hearing of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, Nevada U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen received a commitment from the next nominee to serve as the next Army Chief of Staff to prioritize construction of the small arms qualification range at Hawthorne Army Depot by 2025.

Currently, Nevada doesn’t have a certified small arms training range and Nevada’s Army National Guard and Reserve soldiers must travel out-of-state to meet their annual weapons qualification, with an average added cost of $500,000 per year, per military unit.

Unaccompanied service

The next unaccompanied service conducted by the Nevada Veterans Coalition is July 27 at 9 a.m. at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley.

Nevada Veterans Memorial

Take a tour of the Nevada Veterans Memorial and enjoy coffee from Lighthouse at the Marina.

The event begins at 9 a.m. on July 26.

Ghost Army exhibit

An exhibit produced by the World War II Museum in New Orleans is displayed at the Nevada Museum of Art in Reno through July 23.

Ghost Army: The Combat Con Artists of World War II depicts the secret campaign waged against Hitler’s army and reveals “Not All is Fair in Love and War.” Active military members, their families and veterans receive free admission because of the E. L. Wiegand Foundation’s support.

The Ghost Army or the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops activated as a unit on Jan. 20, 1944, to deceive the Germans by simulating two divisions that normally consisted of 30,000 men. Additionally, the 23rd HQ used inflatable fake tanks, vehicles and radios along with sound effects and radio traffic to confuse the enemy.

American Legion golf tournament

Fallon’s local Sons of the American Legion Squadron 16 and American Legion Auxiliary is planning for its third annual golf tournament.

A raffle donation by your business will be free publicity to all participating in and attending the golf tournament. A 501c(3) letter can be given for your records.

For questions about the tournament or how to sponsor, reach out to Paul “Pip” Valentin at paul.valentin470@gmail.com or 407-319-6908 and leave a message.

VFW golf tournament

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8071 is hosting golf tournament to support the Veteran and Community Service Center building project in Virginia City.

The tournament is Sept. 2 at the Dayton Valley Golf Club. Entry fee is $150. This includes breakfast, lunch, drinks, cart rental and 18 holes of golf. Additionally, there will be contests, raffles and auctions.

Details and online registration available at https://www.vfwpost8071.org/golf/

Homeless veteran event

The VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System Homeless Veteran Annual Stand Down is Sept. 29 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Capitol Hill Veterans Outreach Center, 350 Capitol Hill Ave., in Reno.

For information email bryana.guerra-carrera@va.gov.

Military articles and news briefs are compiled by the Nevada News Group. Questions may be directed to SNMGmilitaryeditor@gmail.com or 775-427-0960.