NDVS Newsletter - February 2024

Message from Interim Director Lisa Maciel

It is an honor and a great source of pride to be able to serve my fellow veterans through my work at NDVS. For those who don’t know me, I’m grateful for this opportunity to introduce myself. I joined the department in 2020 and most recently served as the Deputy Director of Benefits and now, I could not be more humbled and blessed to find myself in service to Nevada’s veterans, military, and their families as Acting Director.

I’m a retired Major from the US Air Force Reserves and was a Medical Administration Officer. I have also served in the Nevada Air National Guard in various capacities including security forces, medical logistics and medical administration. I hold an MS in Public Health, a BA in Business Administration and an AA in Business Administration as well.

Some of you know me through my work for the Northern Nevada Chapter of the National Cervical Cancer Coalition. I’m a two-time cancer survivor and serve as the local chair for the coalition. I’m also a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the VFW National Home for Children, the National Guard Association of the United States and am also involved in the Military Officers Association of America and the Air National Guard Medical Service Corps Association.

I’m eager to meet you in person as I will be scheduling time with our veterans service organizations and will also be attending one of our many upcoming NDVS events over the next several months. Please check out this newsletter to learn more about all the upcoming events and to register to attend.

It was fun to see so many of you recently at the VFW Mid-Winter Conference in Las Vegas. We announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between our department and the Mesquite Veterans Center. The MOU will place a full-time Veterans Service Officer at the Mesquite Veterans Center. This effort has been in the works for quite some time, and it is finally here! Thank you for your continued support of the department and for the veterans we are honored to serve!

Respectfully,

Lisa Maciel

Interim Director

Photo: NDVS signs MOU at VFW Nevada Mid-Winter conference in Las Vegas on 01/27/2024 with Mesquite Veterans Center, President Steve Reynolds (R) and Vice President Robert Nehilla Jr., along with NDVS Interim Director Lisa Maciel.

NDVS Website

Special Ceremonies Planned for Recipients of

Veteran of the Month, Veteran Supporter of the Month Awards

Two special ceremonies are planned to recognize and honor the recipients of the Veteran of the Month (VOM) and Veteran Supporter of the Month (VSM) and Youth Serving Veterans Awards (YSVA).

In Carson City, the ceremony will be held on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. in the lobby of the Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records which is located at 100 N. Stewart Street.

The recipients are:

Sean Laycox (VOM, Nov 2023) - U.S. Army/Nevada Army National Guard veteran for exceptional volunteer work involving the Northern Nevada State Veterans Home, Reno Elks Lodge 597, and Vietnam War Helicopter Museum. Mr. Laycox also serves as a Nevada Veterans Advocate.

Marlene Merck (VOM, Dec 2023) – U.S. Air Force veteran for outstanding volunteer work involving women veterans, Elko Veterans Ball, Veterans Day Parade, Parade of Lights also in Elko.

Katherine “Kat” Miller (VOM, Mar 2024) – U.S. Army veteran for her decades of service to country as well as work and support to better the lives of Nevada’s veterans.

Assistance League of Reno-Sparks (VSM, Apr 2024) – Volunteer organization for its long-standing support of Nevada’s veterans including combat veterans and at-risk populations of veterans.

Jim Sutherland (VOM, May 2024) – U.S. Navy veteran for his long-standing volunteer work to ensure veterans and their families enjoy holiday dinners and various holiday and other events. He also provides his VFW Post Color/Honor Guard services for parades and other functions.

In Las Vegas, the ceremony will be held on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. in the lobby of the Grant Sawyer Building located at 555 East Washington Avenue.

The recipients are:

William “Bill” Dolan (VOM, Apr 2024) – U.S. Army veteran for long-standing volunteer work in benefit of disabled veterans, including his work in Pahrump and as a Chapter Judge Advocate.

Military Officers Association of America, Southern Nevada Chapter (VSM, Mar 2024) – In addition to raising money and providing scholarship opportunities, the organization advocates and promotes leadership skills among young people in southern Nevada.

Stephanie Helms (VSM, May 2024) – For her work with the Kline Fund in assisting active-duty military, Guard and Reserve members, and their families at Nellis and Creech AFBs.

Vincent Ruiz (YSVA, Mar 2024) – For his work within the area of suicide prevention, particularly with the organization, Race to Erase 22 since its inception in 2016.

Congratulations to the recipients!

Submit your nomination for a Veteran of the Month.

Nominate a Veteran Supporter of the Month.

Nominate for a Youth Serving Veterans Award.

Remembering Mrs. Lena King

Our condolences go out to the friends and family of the late Lena Bell King, CPL/E4, 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion.

Funeral services for the U.S. Army veteran, who served in World War II, will be on Friday, February 16, 2024, at the Desert Spring United Methodist Church, 120 North Pavilion Center Drive in Las Vegas at noon. The repast will be at The Suncoast Hotel and Casino, 9090 Alta Drive in Las Vegas right after the service. 

The family asks those who wish to make a donation to please donate to the Army Women Foundation at: https://www.awfdn.org/scholarships/six-triple-eight/

Please send cards to Mrs. King’s niece:  Ms. Bobbie J. Leonard, 1703 E. Fernrock Street, Carson, CA 90746. 

Photo: American Legion Post 76 Honor Color Guard.

U.S. Navy Veteran Celebrates 104th Birthday!

Congratulations to Carol M. who celebrated her 104th birthday last month. Carol enlisted in the U.S. Armed Forces as a Navy nurse in 1942 after graduating from nursing school. She served until the end of the war. She raised three children, including two who also went into health care fields. Carol resides at the Northern Nevada State Veterans Home in Sparks.

Photo: Carol with Mark McBride, NDVS Deputy Director of Healthcare Services.

Photo: Carol with Mark McBride, NDVS Deputy Director of Healthcare Services, Carol’s daughter, Holly and son-in-law, Ted.

Meet Deputy Director Mark McBride

The Nevada Department of Veterans Services (NDVS) is pleased to announce Mark McBride has returned to NDVS in a new capacity as Deputy Director of Healthcare Services for the Department. Mr. McBride was a previous administrator at the Southern Nevada State Veterans Home. He brings 21 years of experience in the healthcare industry to NDVS, including 11 years as a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility administrator.

As NDVS Deputy Director of Healthcare Services, Mr. McBride’s duties include overseeing Nevada’s two State Veterans Homes: The Northern Nevada State Veterans Home in Sparks and the Southern Nevada State Veterans Home in Boulder City. He will also manage the Department’s health and wellness programs including the Suicide Prevention Programs, Healthcare Champions Exposure Risk Initiatives, as well as special trainings to include areas of Military Sexual Trauma, Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, Parkinson’s Disease, and outreach to caregivers and survivors. He will also oversee the Veterans in Care (VIC) recognition program that seeks to recognize and honor veterans and spouses of veterans living in community based assisted living or skilled nursing care facilities. The VIC program also connects these veterans to benefits earned through U.S. military service.

Mr. McBride holds a degree in Business Administration/Linguistics from Northern Arizona University and a Master’s in Health Administration from the University of Phoenix. He has also been consistent in supporting and/or signing the VA contract into each facility that he has led, demonstrating his continued commitment to serve our Nations heroes. Prior to his experience in long-term care administration, Mr. McBride spent a decade serving as a clinical pharmaceutical representative, with an emphasis on geriatric care.

He lives in Sparks with his wife, Shawna. They have three children: Jade, Ryan, and Owen. His son, Ryan is currently serving in the U.S. Navy as an E-3 Corpsman. Mr. McBride’s father, Wayne, was a U.S. Air Force veteran.

We are proud to have Mr. McBride serve as a member of our NDVS team!

Photo: Mark McBride, Deputy Director of Healthcare Services

Meet the New Education/Employment Program Manager

U.S. Navy veteran Amanda Kehrer is the newest member of the NDVS outreach team, overseeing the Education/Employment Program. Her goal for the education and employment program is to provide knowledge to service members, eligible family members, and veterans regarding education benefits, programs, and resources the State of Nevada has to offer.

Amanda has worked for NDVS for two years, starting at the Southern Nevada State Veterans Home in Boulder City as the Program Manager, Volunteer Coordinator. There, she managed the volunteer program, managed all special events and conducted community outreach. Prior to this, Amanda worked at UNLV for 6.5 years in the Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement. There, she assisted with planning, executing, and managing donor events for philanthropy, individual colleges, and alumni relations. She also assisted with managing fundraising programs to achieve fundraising goals.

In her military career, Amanda served her country for eight years as an Information Systems Technician in the U.S. Navy. She was stationed at the Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Atlantic for four years. After reenlisting, she served onboard the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) for an additional four years. Amanda holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the University of Phoenix.

Photo: Amanda Kehrer, Education/Employment Program Manager

LGBTQ+ Veteran Program Update

The LGBTQ+ Program recently conducted its first online workshop in collaboration with Our Center in Reno, Nevada. This presentation focused on our program's vision and mission statements, advocating for diversity, inclusion, equality, and accessibility for LGBTQ+ veterans, service members, and their families in Nevada.

The event also addressed the concerning statistics faced by sexually and gender diverse veterans, as well as the challenges they encounter when navigating the healthcare system. Other discussions included the impact of policies from the Don't Ask Don't Tell era. We elaborated on the process of upgrading a discharge due to sexual and gender identity and provided guidance on how to address injustices in the discharge process. We are pleased to report that our first workshop was a success, and we are currently planning another one. We have established a partnership with The Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, who will collaborate with us in these workshops alongside Our Center in Reno, Nevada.

The Henderson Equality Center organizes a Veteran's Social Group, which convenes on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. During these gatherings, veterans come together to share their experiences and forge connections based on their prior service in our nation's military. Prior to their social meetings, NDVS conducted an open discussion on the benefits available to this group, tailoring the conversation to address their unique situations and needs.

To reach out to sexually and gender diverse veterans, we are actively seeking new partnerships and hosting various events that offer greater accessibility! Our LGBTQ+ Program is enthusiastic about leading positive change and setting a new gold standard for the support and care provided to gender and sexually diverse veterans. For more information, email miannayc@veterans.nv.gov.

Photo: (L-R) Chris Davin, President of the Henderson Equality Center and Christopher Miannay.

2024 Women Veterans Conference

SAVE YOUR SEAT!

Saturday March 9, 2024

Aliante Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, NV

Location: Aliante Casino – Hotel SCOTTSDALE BALLROOM

Time: 8:00am – 9:00am            Check in/ Continental Breakfast

9:00am – 4:00pm            Program

Save Your Seat for the Nevada Veterans Legislative Symposia

Now is the time for your voice to be heard! Register for the upcoming Nevada Veterans Symposia, being held in Reno on Saturday, March 23rd and in Las Vegas on Saturday, April 6th.

This is the opportunity for veterans and supporters to identify and prioritize issues and concerns important to Nevada’s veterans’ community. This process ensures Nevada’s veterans speak with one, clear voice to Nevada lawmakers, who are presented the priority list developed at the symposia for consideration during the next session of the Nevada Legislature.

Register for the Reno session HERE on Saturday, March 23 at the Washoe Senior Center, located at 1155 E. 9th Street in Reno.

Register for the Las Vegas session HERE on Saturday, April 6 at the Dula Community Center, located at 451 East Bonanza Road in Las Vegas.

FREE 2024 NV Advocate Conference in Reno!

Help connect veterans and their families to earned benefits! Become a Nevada Veterans Advocate by attending this 2-day event! This 2-day event will cover the following topics and more: 

Nevada Veterans Benefits
Nevada State Veterans Homes
Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemeteries 
Entrepreneurship
Improving Veteran Employment Outcomes
VA Compensation
VA Survivor and Dependent Benefits
Presumptive Conditions... and so much more!

The event will be hosted at the Elks Lodge, 597 Kumle Ln., Reno, NV 89509 on April 13th and 14th from approximately 8 am to 4:30 pm. Seats are limited so please register as soon as possible! 

In Honor of Those We Serve

By SNVMC Superintendent Chris Naylor

The Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery (SNVMC) performed 2,105 total interments during 2023. This was the third highest burial volume year the cemetery has seen in its history.

The SNVMC is located in Boulder City and serves as a place of rest and reflection to eligible veterans, their spouse and eligible dependents. Veterans are buried at no charge. This includes the cemetery plot, opening and closing, concrete vault, headstone and perpetual care. A $450 fee (subject to change) is charged for the burial of a spouse or eligible dependent. Mortuary fees are not included.

Learn more about eligibility by calling 702-486-5920.

NDVS is pleased to report several key positions at the cemetery have been filled. Three new hires began employment on January 22, 2024, filling the following vacant positions: Grounds Equipment Operator 2, Grounds Maintenance Worker 4, and Grounds Maintenance Worker 3.

There are still two vacant Grounds Equipment Operator 2 positions, and one Grounds Maintenance Worker 4 position that remain open. Cemetery leadership continues interviewing and recruiting to fill those vacant positions.

Nevada Women in Trades Offers New Opportunities

Are you underemployed, seeking a new career opportunity, wanting to do something different? Then check out Nevada Women in Trades. The nonprofit offers training in several vocations that can set you on the path to becoming a carpenter, plumber, pipefitter, electrician and much more.

Visit NevadaWIT.org to learn more!

Veterans’ Voices Looking for Korean and Coast Guard Veterans!

The UNLV Veterans’ Voices: We’re Listening organization is looking for Korean War and Coast Guard veterans in southern Nevada to document their stories. Help us spread the word on this important effort to preserve history for future generations by downloading the brochure below and sharing it. Your support is appreciated!

February Puts Spotlight on Cancer Prevention and

Heart Health Awareness

February is National Cancer Prevention Month. The American Cancer Society says this means taking steps such as quitting smoking (or never starting in the first place), maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, protecting your skin from the sun, and getting vaccinated against the pathogens that cause certain cancers, which can all dramatically reduce your risk of cancer in many cases.

Veterans and their families need to know certain cancers may be considered presumptive due to exposures while working in the military. Take our Health Exposure Risk Questionnaire HERE. You may be entitled to certain earned health and monetary awards, so talk with a Veterans Service Officer by going HERE.

National Wear Red Day is the first Friday in February! (That’s tomorrow, February 2, 2024!) The day is designed to raise awareness that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. and IT IS LARGELY PREVENTABLE! Check out the Fact Sheet and share with your friends and family.