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Nevada Department of Veterans Services Newsletter September 2016
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Charles Tyrrel "Chuck" Harton lived fully, saw the world as only a U.S. soldier can, and retired from 23 years of military to civilian life in 1966. Through the decades that passed, Chuck never flagged in service to fellow veterans, care for community, and love of his family. Chuck passed away August 11 at 91 years.
Born May 11, 1925 in Oakland, CA., Chuck grew up in Vallejo during the Great Depression. Straight after graduation from Vallejo High School, with America entering the War, he headed for the enlistment office, joined the U.S. Marine Corps and, after training, shipped overseas to the Pacific Theater. He served on Guadalcanal, Saipan, Tinian, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. Chuck also served in the Korean War during the Inchon Landing and Battle of the Chosin Reservoir.
Chuck settled in the Bay Area after retiring from military service, moved to Reno six years later and, recognizing the growth potential in the Truckee Meadows, obtained his broker's license to open Harton & Associates Realty. It took him into retirement 40 years later. Chuck remained active and involved with veterans throughout his life. He served as national director of the Navy League of the United States and president and director of the Reno Council of NLUS [spell out]. Chuck was a member of the Marine Corps League and Veterans of Foreign Wars, and most recently served on the Nevada Veterans Service Commission and was Chairman of the Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery Advisory Committee.
Chuck was preceded in death by his first wife, Donna, and is survived by second wife, Donna Brown Harton, son Gregory Harton, MSgt USMC Ret, (Libby), daughters, Leslie Barlow (Brett), Tracy Wittenberg (Jay), and Michelle Hernandez (Andy). Chuck has 10 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Chuck was given military honors and inurned at Nevada State Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley.
War Stories: Veterans Remember World War II
"At the end of boot camp everybody got different assignments, and I went up to Camp Mathews because I was a good shot. I would up at the rifle range as a coach for about six months. It was great duty, because you're the boss: and it's kind of fun to teach them to be good shooters. Of course, it also made a better shot out of me. Once in a while you'd say, 'Now, wait a minute, kid, let me show you how to do this,' and you better hit what you were talking about so you don't look like a dummy. Afterwards, I could do things with a rifle in a off-hand position that I would have needed the prone position to do a month earlier.
'By now you had had time to get a little bit nervous about going into combat, wondering how you're going to react. While you're in boot camp, whoo-wee, you know, just let me at them! Once you're out, you're thinking, 'Wow, maybe this might not be such a hot idea." (laughter) – Chuck Harton
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Governor Brian Sandoval, on behalf of the State of Nevada, accepted a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs $5 million grant award during a check ceremony at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City.
George Eisenbach, Director of the Veterans Cemetery Grants Program, presented the award. Speaking of the importance of the Boulder City cemetery, he said, "This memorial cemetery is particularly impressive as it is the second busiest state veterans’ cemetery in the nation."
"It didn’t happen by chance," Sandoval said. "It took a lot of hard work from many different people. In August 2012, the NDVS submitted a grant proposal to Raise and Realign the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery. The grant was rejected three times due to lack of (federal) funding over the span of two years. Through dedication and diligence persistence in September 2014, the VA granted NDVS $3.5 million grant and in January 2016 authorized the remaining $1.5 million for the completion of the project."
The money will be used to realign the headstones of more than 30,000 veterans and spouses interred, and contribute to substantial landscaping projects. The Nevada state veteran memorial cemeteries in Boulder City and Fernley, operated and maintained by the Nevada Department of Veterans Services, serve 287,000 Nevada veterans and their families, and receive more than100,000 visitors annually.
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The Nevada Department of Veterans Services will conduct a free
Nevada Veterans Advocacy and Veterans Services Officer Workshop
Oct. 15, 16 in Reno at the Grand Sierra Resort, Reno.
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NDVS will be recruiting AmeriCorps members statewide for the Nevada Vet Corps this month. If you are a veteran or family member and would like more information about how you can become an AmeriCorps member and serve as part of Nevada Vet Corps, look for details on the NDVS Facebook page and the NDVS website as soon as September 9.
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With input from veterans across the state, NDVS has taken NV VetNet to the next level.
The response -- more than 60 new registrations in less than a month -- is evidence the site is connecting veterans, military and their families to important services and benefits, statewide.
Next-level efforts focus on added functionality, fresh and refreshed content, and a revised 2.0 NV VetNet (Formerly GreenZone).
NV VetNet encourages veterans, family/friends, service providers, and community supporters to actively post and participate in sharing information and reaching out to the wider community.
For those individuals or organizations already signed up with the online community, formerly known as GreenZone Network, the data has automatically been transferred. However, it's a good idea to review or update content.
Click here to register in the category matching your personal or organization designation of veteran, family member, service provider, or veteran supporter.
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The Nevada Department of Veterans Services, in partnership with administrators of assisted living and care facilities across Nevada, held recognition ceremonies in August to honor resident veterans for their military service. These recognition ceremonies formally launched the NDVS initiative: “Veterans In Care."
Participating were:
- Lake Mead Health & Rehab Center
- Prestige Sr. Living at Mira Loma
- Carson Valley Senior Living
- Brookdale Gardnerville Senior Community
- Brookdale NW, Reno
Among those honored, WWII Veteran James Medford, left. Learn more about James and others in the links below.
For more information about VIC, contact NDVS Deputy Director of Health & Wellness Wendy Simons at simonsw@veterans.nv.gov.
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Launched this summer, the VIC mission seeks to reach Nevada's veterans residing in and receiving care and services in skilled care facilities, residential care, and assisted living facilities. It represents an outreach to over 400+ providers caring for our veterans across Nevada. Once again the purpose is to offer information on VA benefits and services, education of military culture to the staff of facilities and recognition to those veterans in facilities.
This past August, in partnership with NDVS, five facilities hosted recognition events for our veterans. More130 of "Nevada's Heroes" were acknowledged with certificates and pins in honor of their service. The ceremonies in each facility were attended not only by the veterans being recognized but also spouses, family members, facility staff and the media. In three of the five facilities where veterans were honored, more than 60 people attended.
So many of our senior veterans are silent in their history of service, and the emotions surrounding their recognition range from tears of appreciation to joy in the sharing of camaraderie with fellow veterans.
The VIC program is continuing to expand our reach and we are so pleased to be able to share this wonderful discovery of so many veterans in our state.
- Deputy Director of Health & Wellness Wendy Simons
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In the spirit of his continuing mission to make Nevada "the most military and veteran-friendly state in the nation," Governor Brian Sandoval and the Nevada Department of Veterans Services honored a veteran and a veteran support group in Las Vegas on Tuesday, August 23. Honored as the Veteran of the Month is Kenneth Roberts of Henderson, and the Veteran Supporter of the Month are the Southern Nevada Patriot Guard Riders. The ceremony is held every month to celebrate the accomplishments of Nevada's heroes that have faithfully served their country, and have gone on to greatly benefit their communities.
Click here for the rest of the story.
To nominate a veteran or veteran supporter, or for more information on outreach efforts and available programs for veterans, click here, or call (775) 321-4880.
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“It makes my heart explode when I see those flags and all of you standing there with such strength and pride,” Gov. Sandoval said in presenting the award to Patriot Guard Riders’ representative Rick Foulon during the ceremony at the Grant Sawyer Building, Las Vegas.
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Paramount-Nevada Asphalt donated funds for a new directional sign to the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Fernley. Pictured with NNVMC Superintendent Eric Grimes, center, are Brent Skovly, Paramount-Nevada Asphalt Lab Technician II, left; and Guy Maher, Paramount-Nevada Asphalt Marketing Manager.
"We appreciate the efforts of these Nevadans and their company in providing the funds that made this attractive sign possible," said Grimes.
Paramount-Nevada Asphalt is a
privately held company headquartered in Fernley, and "proudly doing business for 16 years."
The sign was made by Granite Construction Supply and Sign Shop.
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This month's issue of Women's Veterans Informer features a page-one story about the Veterans Guest House in Reno and its Champaign Luncheon and Fundraiser set Sept. 29. This and much more in the pages of this month's Women Veterans Newsletter by NDVS WVI editor Necole Stevens-Brown, posted on
NDVS website.
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In a state the size of Nevada with vast rural and frontier landscape, reaching veterans often means going where they live. The Elko Veterans Outreach Fair was held the last weekend of August. Present to assist veterans and their families were members of NDVS VSO and Outreach coordinators, student vet coordinators, members of Office of Military & Legal Services (OMLA) and Nevada Legal Services (NLS), the VA, Veteran Service organization reps, Nevada National Guard staff, and Elko and Lamoille volunteers who came together to serve veterans living in northeast Nevada. Oftentimes an invisible corps of subject experts is just that: invisible. Here, these dedicated professionals and volunteers gather for a group photo the last of the two-day event at Great Basin College, Elko.
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ROVER VSO Outreach Locations Across
Nevada in September
Central Region
AUSTIN, every even-numbered month on the 3rd Wednesday
GARDNERVILLE, monthly on the 4th Tuesday of the month
HAWTHORNE, monthly on the 1st Thursday of the month
SILVER SPRINGS, monthly on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. This also includes Yerington, Dayton, Mason, Weed Heights, Fernley.
To make a VSO appointment for any of the above locations in Central Region, call 775-321-4880. Personnel can give specific information on Austin and also the rest of these locations for these appointments, and the Veterans Service Officer (VSO) who will serve you.
Northern Region
BATTLE MOUNTAIN, monthly on the 2nd Friday of the month
ELY, monthly on the 1st Friday of the month
W. WENDOVER, monthly on the 3rd Friday of the month
WINNEMUCCA, monthly on the 2nd Tuesday of the month
All of these locations are through Interactive Video (IAV) at the Great Basin Colleges.
To make a VSO appointment for any of the above locations in the Northern Region, call 775-777-1000. Personnel can give specific information on the locations for these appointments and the Veterans Service Office (VSO) who will serve you.
Southern Region
BEATTY, monthly on the 2nd Thursday of the month
LAUGHLIN, monthly on the 4th Tuesday of the month
MESQUITE, monthly on the 1st Tuesday and 3rd Thursday of the month
PAHRUMP, monthly on Monday, Wednesday, & Friday every week of the month
TONOPAH, monthly on the 3rd Thursday of the month
To make a VSO appointment for any of the location listed in the Southern Region, call 702-224-6025. Personnel will give you specific information on the locations for these appointments and the Veterans Service Officer (VSO) who will serve you.
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Any veteran or his or her spouse, parent or child can purchase a veteran license plate. The applicant certifies that he or she qualifies by signing the Veteran License Plate Application (SP 33)
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The initial cost for veteran plates with a standard number is $61 plus a Prison Industry fee of 50 cents per plate. The annual renewal fee is $30. The initial cost for personalized versions is $97 plus a Prison Industry fee of 50 cents per plate. The annual renewal is $50. $25 of the initial fee and $20 of the annual renewal fee are used to support outreach programs and services for veterans and their families administered by Nevada Department of Veterans Services.
Availability Plates with standard numbers are in stock at DMV Full Service offices. You can order personalized versions by mail, fax or in person at a DMV Full Service office. See How Do I Get These Plates?
Veteran Unit Decal Plates : The DMV is authorized to offer veterans plates with extra space for unit logos. Army Airborne and Navy Seabees are available as well as Air Force and Army logos on National Guard Plates.
Motorcycle plates for Army Airborne and Navy Seabees are not in stock and must be custom-ordered. Call or email for information, or visit the Nevada DMV website
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The Nevada Attorney General’s Office of Military Legal Assistance (OMLA) provides pro bono (free) legal assistance and representation to active duty, reserve and National Guard service members in a wide area of civil law matters. The OMLA also currently provides assistance to veterans with wills and powers of attorney.
The OMLA is a comprehensive, statewide program combining the joint efforts of legal aid organizations, private sponsors and the State Bar of Nevada to address the need for affordable legal representation in our military communities.
In order to receive legal assistance from this program, active military and reserve service members should seek referral from their respective Judge Advocate General. Veterans should seek referral from their respective Veterans Services Office.
Click here for the statewide listing.
OMLA workshops scheduled through 2016
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Hawthorne
September 10
10-3
Hawthorne Library
Henderson
September 24
10-4
American Legion
Mesquite
October 8
10-2
Veteran's Center
Humboldt
October 15
10-4
National Guard Armory
Douglas County
November 5
10-4
Gardnerville Community Center
Yerington
December 3
10-4
Yerington Public Library
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By KEITH ROGERS
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Louis Lacey gave a final instruction to his crisis intervention team before heading out to search for homeless veterans in tunnels near the Strip.
“Let’s go save some people,” he said at the end of his briefing Thursday at the Owens Avenue Veterans Affairs clinic.
With their flashlights shining as the first rays of sunlight cast an orange glow over the Las Vegas skyline, Lacey emphasized they were on a mission to engage homeless veterans, as well as warn all tunnel dwellers that flash floods loomed with heavy rains forecast for the weekend.
Click here to read more.
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RENO, Nev. (News 4) — There is a clean, safe, new place for veterans to live who were once homeless.
It is a 20-unit apartment complex located off Mill Street. The complex was once considered dirty and dingy but has undergone a $1.5 million renovation...
Kerr said, "We have recognized that folks with housing are more successful when they have a place to call home. Once we get them a place to stay, we wrap the services around them in a safe environment."
Click here to read more.
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WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today released its findings from the nation’s most comprehensive analysis of Veteran suicide rates in the United States in which VA examined more than 55 million Veterans’ records from 1979 to 2014 from every state in the nation. The effort advances VA’s knowledge from the previous report in 2012, which was primarily limited to information on Veterans who used VHA health services or from mortality records obtained directly from 20 states and approximately 3 million records.. Compared to the data from the 2012 report, which estimated the number of Veteran deaths by suicide to be 22 per day, the current analysis indicates that in 2014, an average of 20 Veterans a day died from suicide.
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Use NDVS Facebook to Share Your Services, Programs, Legislative Developments, Special Events
More is better, and never has the adage been more true than providing updates, information, links and support for veterans, active military, and their families. Facebook provides the platform for sharing dates of local and regional events, breaking legislative news from the State and Washington, veterans organization programs, need-to-know benefits and claims items and postings from veterans throughout Nevada.
In order for Facebook to reach a greater audience, we ask you to 'LIKE' the NDVS Facebook page and share what you see, hear, and learn with your Nevada veteran family.
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2-6
Numaga Days Powwow. Hungry Valley Indian Reservation
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9
Homeless Veteran River Walk Event, Truckee River, Reno
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11 Honor Flight Nevada, Reno/Tahoe International Airport
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14-18
Paralympics - Military Sports Camp hosted by the City of Reno
(multiple locations)
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16-18 Walker River Paiute Tribe Annual Pinenut Festival, Walker River Paiute Tribes' Community Center
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23 Stand Down - Reno, HCHV Outreach Center, 350 Capitol Hill
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23
Suicide Prevention Walk, Idlewild Park
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29
Veterans Guest House - "Boots Meet Fashion" Champagne Luncheon &
Fashion Show, 11-1:30pm, Peppermill Resort Spa and Casino
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29
Incline Village/Crystal Bay VFW Luncheon
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3 Wellness Recovery Plan
, VAMC Northeast Primary Care Clinic, Las Vegas
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4
Pathways to Recovery,
Las Vegas VAMC Northwest Primary Care Clinic
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5 Anger Management Group
10-11:30am,
Las Vegas VA Medical Center -
Women's Health Center
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6 Support and Family Education,
Las Vegas VAMC Northwest Primary Care Clinic
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8 Al Porta Memorial Golf Toumey to support Reno's, Veterans Guest House, Silver Oak Golf Course
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11 "Ride 'n' Recovery," Reno to Las Vegas
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