Chaplain Fred Wilson carries the U.S. flag at Thursday’s unaccompanied service at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley.
Photo by Steve Ranson.
FERNLEY — The monthly unaccompanied military service for veterans from all branches of the military was conducted Thursday at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley.
During the 30-minute remembrance, the Nevada Veterans Coalition honored 15 individuals. During the ceremony, the coalition recognized 17 veterans. For one reason or another, members of a veteran’s family are unable to attend.
The Patriot Guard Riders parade the colors from the columbarium wall to the pavilion to begin each service. Near the end of the ceremony, which includes a 3-volley salute, the playing of Taps and the singing of Amazing Grace, members of the NVC honor guard unfold and then refold the flag and then symbolically presented it to a member of the community who attended the service.
Diane Mckillip of Sparks said she was humbled to receive the flag.
“My whole family is here,” she said after the service. “My grandparents, father, stepmother, uncles.”
Mckillip said her grandfather served in the Navy, and her father was a Marine.
“My uncle served in the Korean War and flew the Warlords,” she added.
As the narrator for the unaccompanied service, Sharon Serenko said the nation and coalition thank veterans who served their country. According to Serenko, every gravestone at the state’s second largest military cemetery tells a story to the thousands of visitors who visit the hallowed grounds during the year.
“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 the military service provides a closure each veteran deserves and and also the gratitude of a thankful nation.
“We remember and thank each of these veterans for their service to their country,” she added.
Those veterans recognized in February include the following:
Air Force — Sgt. Patrick Mooney; Army — Pvt. William Gryder, Spc. 4 Jeffrey Keltner, Ralph Leonardi, Pvt. Ronald McLarnan, 1Lt. Thomas O’Brien and Pfc. William Shipley; Navy — SR Daniel Alvey, EMC Melvin Burrow, SM3 Thomas Dougherty, CS3 Ronald Huff, SN Philip Rupert and MM2 Mario Secchi; U.S. Marines — Gunnery Sgt. Richard Harold and Cpl. Richard Machado.
Veterans honored in January include the following:
Air Force — Airman First Class William Dickey and Airman Second Class George Kell; Army — Pfc. Randolf Chandler, Sgt. Dennis Chrisman, Sgt. Walden Crawford, Spec. Fourth Class Leonardi Fontes, Sgt. Carl Huycke, Pfc. Andrew Pullos and Jordan Sanchez. Navy — Lawrence Flattem, IC3 Robert Hell, MM2 Darrel Kelly, AWC Jerry Jenkins, SA Carey Petty, ETN3 David Ruhl and John Winter.