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Flag Day and Army’s birthday
Flag Day and the celebration of the Army’s 250th birthday is June 14. The Nevada National Guard is hosting its 27th annual Flag Day ceremony and a birthday celebration for the U.S Army.
Conducted in partnership with the Nevada State Archives, the Flag Day observance begins at 10 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial behind the Capitol on 101 N. Carson St.
The event is free and will include an Army helicopter flyover and historical flag presentation by the Nevada Air Guard.
This year’s ceremony will include remarks from the state’s adjutant general, Brig. Gen. D. Rodger Waters.
After the ceremony, the Nevada State Archives will remain open for members of the public to see its newest exhibit, “All For Our Country. This exhibit focuses on Nevadans who served in the military during the Civil War, Spanish-American War and both world wars.
The U.S. Army is two years older than the U.S. Flag. A resolution of the Continental Congress authorized 10 companies of riflemen on June 14, 1775, to establish the U.S. Army. Two years later, the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act and adopted the stars-and-stripes design as our nation’s flag.
President Harry Truman signed an act of Congress in 1949 designating June 14 at National Flag Day.
American Legion convention dinner
The Fallon chapter of the American Legion is hosting the state convention. The American Legion is also presenting the 106th annual Department of Nevada convention family dinner June 28 at the Fallon Convention Center. The guest speaker is Medal of Honor recipient Donald "Doc" Ballard, a Vietnam War veteran.
A Navy veteran and medical corpsman, Ballard received the Medal of Honor because of his heroic actions when he rolled over a grenade to save the lives of Marines under his care.
Ballard was a sailor assigned to the M Company, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division in the North Central Coast region of Quang Tri province
The cost is $40 per person. The event begins at 6 p.m. with a cocktail hour followed by a dinner buffet at 7 p.m. Tickets must be purchased before June 20. Pay at the American Legion Post, 90 N. Ada St., or mail to American Legion Post 16, Attn: Convention Committee, 0 N. Ada St., Fallon NV 89406.
Army’s birthday
The William C. Westmoreland Chapter of the Association of the United States Army in Northern Nevada is hosting a gala to celebrate the United States Army’s 250th birthday in partnership with various community organizations.
The central theme for this year’s celebration is “This We’ll Defend.”
Speakers for the night include retired Maj. Gen. Mark Mac Carley, who was commissioned in the U.S. Army Reserve in 1983 and retired in 2015 as the deputy chief of staff for the Army's Training and Doctrine Command.
Ticket information: General Seating: $75 per person. Open seating.
To order by mail, make checks payable to: VFW Silver State Post 3396; Sparks, NV 89434
Order online at www.vfw3396.org
For inquiries and sponsorship opportunities, contact event coordinator David Sousa at 775-544-8786.
Civilian attire: Formal with black tie optional. Military: ASU, dress mess, Army white
All donations help Northern Nevada veterans. The IRS recognizes the VFW Silver State Post 3396 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization (Tax ID #83-1957300). Consult your tax advisor as to the deductibility of your donations.
Patriots to Education
Nevada school districts are preparing to recruit for the upcoming 2025-26 school year. Many districts still have immediate openings for this current school year. Whether you’re looking for a position now or planning ahead, opportunities are available in many roles.
Veterans, National Guard members, reservists, and their spouses usually possess the qualities that schools value in their team members. Take a look at the Patriots to Education website patriotstoeducation-nv.org. The links within the website are to vacancies, the application process, and a direct contact for Partner Districts.
Senior Companion volunteers
The Senior Companion volunteers ages 55 and older provide basic social support to seniors over the age of 60 years old.
The seniors who receive volunteer services generally live alone, need respite care, have limited access to outside resources, and lack social support. Volunteer services may include taking clients to medical appointments, grocery shopping, running errands, socializing, or engaging in fun activities.
For qualifying volunteers, a small stipend is available for services; transportation reimbursement is provided for all volunteers. This program is sponsored by AmeriCorps Seniors and the State of Nevada Aging and Disability Services Division.
For information, contact Polly at polly@sisnv.org
Veterans’ assistance
• Veterans Crisis Line — The confidential crisis chat has three ways to obit help. The Veterans Crisis Line is 1-800-273-8255, press 1. Chat at Veterans CrisisLine.net or text to 838255.
• Adult health center — More to Life adult day health center is here to help families. For information go to www.adultdaycarereno.com or call 775-358-1988.
• Northern Nevada Wheelchair Program — The program serves Northern Nevada by recycling serviceable medical equipment and clothing. This program is supported by the American Legion, Community 4 Veterans, Disable American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Call or text 760-500-0857 or email nnvwcp@gmail.com.
American Legion Post 16 trivia games
The American Legion Post 16 in Fallon hosts trivia games every Wednesday night.
Registration begins at 7 p.m. and game starts at 7:30 p.m.
You do not have to be a member of the American Legion to attend.
Nevada Guard retiree monthly meetings
• The Nevada Air Guard’s monthly breakfast is on the second Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. at the Reno Elks Club.
• The Nevada Army Guard’s breakfast is on the second Monday of the month at 8 a.m. at the Carson City Elks Club on Nevada Street.
Remember there is no charge from the Elks for the breakfast.
Each meeting normally features a guest speaker.