Nevada Legislature honors military and veterans at Capitol

By SEAN WHALEY REVIEW-JOURNAL CAPITAL BUREAU

8 years ago

More than 100 active duty military and veterans and their families and supporters attended ceremony for Veterans and Military Day at the Nevada Legislature on Wednesday, March 15, 2017. (Sean Whaley/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @seanw801

Attendees at Veterans and Military Day at the Nevada Legislature on Wednesday, March 15, 2017, stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. (Sean Whaley/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Veterans salute the American flag during the 2017 Veterans and Military Day at the Legislature, Wednesday, March 15, 2017. (Victor Joecks/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @victorjoecks

Assembly Speaker Jason Frierson, D-Las Vegas, praises the sacrifices made by veterans during a speech at 2017 Veterans and Military Day at the Legislature, Wednesday, March 15, 2017. (Victor Joecks/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @victorjoecks

A Nevada National Guard Honor Guard presents the colors to kickoff the 2017 Veterans and Military Day at the Legislature, Wednesday, March 15, 2017. (Victor Joecks/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @victorjoecks

Sen. Majority Leader Aaron Ford, D-Las Vegas, quotes Abraham Lincoln in a speech honoring veterans at 2017 Veterans and Military Day at the Legislature, Wednesday, March 15, 2017. (Victor Joecks/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @victorjoecks

Gov. Brian Sandoval emphasizes his commitment to make Nevada the most veteran friendly states in the nation during a speech kicking off 2017 Veterans and Military Day at the Legislature, Wednesday, March 15, 2017. (Victor Joecks/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @victorjoecks

Gov. Brian Sandoval shakes hands with the board of Honor Flight Nevada while recognizing them as the Veteran Supporter of the Month as part of a presentation kicking off 2017 Veterans and Military Day at the Legislature, Wednesday, March 15, 2017. (Victor Joecks/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @victorjoecks

Gov. Brian Sandoval awards Richard Moyer, Specialist Four, U.S. Army, with a Bronze Star Medal with a “V” device for his heroic actions in Vietnam during a ceremony kicking off 2017 Veterans and Military Day at the Legislature, Wednesday, March 15, 2017. (Victor Joecks/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @victorjoecks

Legislators applaud as Gov. Brian Sandoval holds up SVB58 after signing it during a ceremony kicking off 2017 Veterans and Military Day at the Legislature, Wednesday, March 15, 2017. (Victor Joecks/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @victorjoecks

CARSON CITY — Gov. Brian Sandoval and state lawmakers took time Wednesday to honor the service of Nevada’s military and veterans in a ceremony on the Capitol grounds.

During the ceremony for Veterans and Military Day at the Legislature, held in front of the Veterans Memorial just east of the Capitol, Sandoval also signed three bills into law benefiting service members.

Assembly Bill 24 waives tuition at the Nevada System of Higher Education for specified categories of military personnel.

Sandoval also signed Senate Bill 58, which revises the composition of the Interagency Council on Veterans Affairs, and Senate Bill 70, which expands the ability of the Department of Veterans Services to take possession off unclaimed property that has military and historical value.

“We take care of our own and our military families deserve nothing less,” Sandoval said in his remarks.

Also speaking at the event, which drew more than 100 active duty military and veterans and their families and supporters, were Senate Majority Leader Aaron Ford and Assembly Speaker Jason Frierson.

Ford said the best way to honor the service of the military and veterans is to reach out to those who are different and who have opposing views.

“To do so shows our devotion to the Armed Forces, which has given so much,” he said.

Frierson promised to always listen and be accessible to the military and veterans as a member of the Legislature.

The event also honored South Lake Tahoe resident John Louritt, who served as a sergeant in the Marine Corps in the Vietnam War.

Veterans and military personnel spent much of the day attending legislative hearings, and were invited to enjoy a lunch on the Legislative Mall.

Contact Sean Whaley at swhaley@reviewjournal.com or 775-461-3820. Follow @seanw801 on Twitter.