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Honoring Service and Sacrifice: A Veteran's Reflection on Memorial Day

Jeff Munson — Thu, 23 May 2024 16:57:45 +0000

By Michael Hanna-Butros Meyering

As Memorial Day approaches, we take the time to reflect on the significance of this holiday and the sacrifices made by countless service members. One such veteran, Chuck Staley, offers a touching glimpse into his life and the traditions he upholds to honor those who have given their all for our freedom.

Chuck Staley's military journey began at the tender age of 17 when he joined the Army, driven by a deep sense of patriotism and a desire to serve his country. Over his 20-year career, he became an integral part of the 82nd Airborne Division, participating in three major combat conflicts: Grenada, Panama, and Desert Storm/Desert Shield. Reflecting on his service, Chuck states, "It was my honor to serve. I would do it all over again if I had the chance."

The motivation to join the military was ingrained in Chuck from a young age. Growing up in the South, where patriotism was a cornerstone of his community, he was inspired by the images of the Vietnam War and the stories of soldiers who had made the ultimate sacrifice. "Watching the Vietnam War on TV when I was a kid and hearing about the soldiers who died overseas meant something to me," Chuck recalls. This early exposure solidified his resolve to contribute to his country's defense.

Memorial Day Traditions
For Chuck, Memorial Day is not just another holiday; it is a day steeped in personal and collective memory. Each year, he, his wife, and his son travel to Sacramento National Cemetery in Dixon, CA, to pay their respects to his stepfather-in-law, Tillman Jeffrey, a helicopter pilot. The family honors Tillman by carrying his uniform jacket, pouring his favorite Scotch on his headstone, and sharing fond memories. "We each take turns expressing our remembrances and saying his name because the most important thing is to keep his memory alive," Chuck explains.

This act of remembrance is not limited to his family. Chuck notes that the cemetery is filled with hundreds of people, all there to honor their lost loved ones. "It's a community event where everyone who lost someone in service comes together to remember. Even if you haven't lost someone, it's important to remember that the freedom we enjoy was paid for by those who made the ultimate sacrifice," he emphasizes. 

How to Celebrate and Honor Memorial Day
Chuck’s heartfelt traditions offer a guide for how we can all honor Memorial Day in a meaningful way. Here are some ways to celebrate and honor this important day, inspired by Chuck's practices:

Visit a Cemetery:
Like Chuck and his family, you can visit a local cemetery, especially those with veterans' graves. Participating in ceremonies or simply placing flowers and flags on graves is a powerful way to pay respect.

The American Legion: Sacred Places Database

Participate in Community Events:
Many communities hold Memorial Day parades and ceremonies. Joining these events helps foster a sense of unity and collective remembrance. Chuck describes how these gatherings bring hundreds of people together, all honoring their loved ones. 

Join us at Lone Mountain Cemetery in Carson City on the 24th of May at 4 p.m. for the placement of flags on the headstones of veterans.

We will meet in the middle of the cemetery and pass out bundles of flags. Flags are to be placed in the upper left corner of each headstone marked of a veteran, approximately 2 inches above the corner.

We will return on the 27th of May at 4 p.m. to remove the flags and return them to storage.

Location: Lone Mountain Cemetery, 1044 Beverly Dr, Carson City, NV 89706
Website: Carson.org
Contact: John Hefner
Phone: 775 720-6995
Email: csmjvh@Hotmail.com

Thank you to the staff at Lone Mountain Cemetery for allowing us to hold this remembrance. 

Share Memories and Stories:
Take time to share stories about the service members you know or have learned about. Chuck and his family reminisce about Tillman Jeffrey, ensuring his legacy continues. You can do this with family, friends, or through social media to spread awareness.

USAA: Poppy Wall of Honor

Support Veterans' Organizations:
Organizations like the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the American Legion often organize Memorial Day activities and provide resources for honoring fallen soldiers. Volunteering or donating to these organizations can make a significant impact.

The American Legion: American Legion Family again at center of Memorial Day observances Veteran of Foreign Wars (VFW): Ace Hardware Honors Fallen Heroes with 1 Million American Flags Donation.

Moment of Silence:
Incorporate a moment of silence into your day to reflect on the sacrifices made by service members. Chuck suggests that even during a barbecue or family gathering, taking a few minutes to acknowledge the fallen is a meaningful act of remembrance.

Educate Yourself and Others:
Use Memorial Day as an opportunity to learn about the history and significance of the holiday. Share this knowledge with others, especially younger generations, to ensure the true meaning of the day is not lost.

Fly the Flag
Displaying the American flag is a simple yet powerful way to show respect and honor those who have served. Ensure the flag is in good condition and displayed according to proper flag etiquette.

Engage in Acts of Service:
Honor the spirit of service by engaging in community service or helping a veteran or military family in need. Acts of kindness and support can be a tribute to the selflessness of those who served.

A Message to All
In his closing thoughts, Chuck offers a powerful message: "Those people who are in the ground and are not with us any longer, we at least owe them that remembrance of their name or their act of service. It's about honoring their sacrifice and ensuring that their legacy lives on."

As we prepare to celebrate Memorial Day, let us take inspiration from Chuck Staley's heartfelt traditions and reflections. Let us remember the true cost of our freedom and honor the brave men and women who have given their lives in service to our nation. Whether through participating in community events, visiting a cemetery, or simply taking a moment to say a silent prayer, each act of remembrance helps to keep the spirit of Memorial Day alive.

Actor Khleo Thomas, known for role as Zero in “Holes,” makes guest appearance via Zoom at Carson City elementary

Jeff Munson — Thu, 23 May 2024 16:30:56 +0000

Carson City School District

Fourth grade students in Ms. Allie Davis’ class at Bordewich Bray Elementary School in Carson City received a special treat Wednesday as actor Khleo Thomas, famously known for his role as Zero in the beloved film "Holes," made a guest appearance via Zoom.

The virtual visit was a highlight for the students, who recently completed a comprehensive book study of Louis Sachar's "Holes" and followed it up by watching the acclaimed movie adaptation.

Thomas's surprise visit delighted the young students, who were eager to discuss the book and movie with him. During the session, Thomas shared behind-the-scenes stories from the film, discussed his experiences playing Zero and answered a variety of questions from the enthusiastic fourth graders who dressed for the occasion.

"It was truly inspiring to see the excitement on my students' faces as they interacted with Khleo Thomas," Davis said. "His presence brought the story to life in a unique way and provided an unforgettable educational experience for the children."

Thomas emphasized the importance of perseverance and friendship, both key themes in "Holes," and encouraged the students to always stay curious and passionate about learning. He also took the opportunity to commend the students for their dedication to reading and their insightful questions about the book and movie.

The event was made possible through the collaborative efforts of Ms. Davis and the generosity of Khleo Thomas, who continues to engage with fans and support educational initiatives. It also underscores the enduring impact of literature and film in education and the positive influence of connecting students with those who bring these stories to life.

Nevada’s parks, wildlife projects likely to benefit from $350M in federal land sales

admin — Thu, 23 May 2024 15:08:09 +0000

Amy Alonzo, The Nevada Independent

Since the passage of the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act (SNPLMA) in 1998, more than $4 billion in revenue generated from Las Vegas area land sales has been directed to conservation, park improvement and wildfire prevention projects across Nevada and the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Now, another $348 million in federal dollars is set to be allocated for additional projects, and the federal government is seeking input on where that money should go.

Dozens of projects have been proposed statewide, from those that would help protect endangered Mojave Desert tortoises in rural Southern Nevada to those that would expand city parks in Northern Nevada, all funded by proceeds from SNPLMA sales.

In 1998, Congress passed SNPLMA, allowing the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to sell public land within a specific boundary around Las Vegas for development. The federal agency manages 63 percent of the state’s land.

Revenue from the land sales is then divided, with the state’s general education fund receiving 5 percent, Southern Nevada Water Authority receiving 10 percent and the remaining 85 percent earmarked for projects across Nevada. The secretary of the Interior ensures the money stays within Nevada for environmental stewardship projects such as conservation, landscape restoration and hazardous fuels reduction rather than funneling the money into the U.S. Treasury, and county, state and federal agencies are then able to apply for the funds for targeted projects.

Since SNPLMA’s inception, 19 rounds of auctions have been held, and the act thus far has generated funding for more than 1,500 projects throughout the state.

Last fall, agencies submitted proposals for funds from the 20th SNPLMA round. Four dozen projects totaling $625 million were proposed, and those proposals underwent a multistep review to determine which would leave the largest legacy on the landscape while providing the best value. A total of $298 million in funding is being recommended, with $50 million being added to a special reserve account to cover any additional project costs.

The BLM is accepting comments on the proposed projects through June 6. A SNPLMA executive committee will meet following the comment period to draft a final recommendation to the secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture.

Here are highlights of what’s likely to get approved:

Southern Nevada parks, trails and natural areas

The bulk of the proposed projects involve increasing the quality of and access to parks, trails and natural areas.

In Southern Nevada, the City of Las Vegas is requesting $19.3 million to expand the Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex. Although the fields serve 650,000 participants each year, 90,000 more people are turned away due to capacity limitations.

Clark County is requesting slightly less than $63 million for improvements to Wetlands Park and to construct a new phase of Mountain’s Edge Regional Park outside Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Improvements to Wetlands Park include pedestrian bridges and a designated area for bird and pond viewing; expansions to Mountain’s Edge include soccer and pickleball complexes and a community botanical garden.

Henderson is requesting more than $35 million to renovate the aging Morrell and Downtown parks by adding features such as communal active lawn areas, food truck-pullout parking areas, splash pads, dog parks and reconfigured ball fields.

The City of North Las Vegas is requesting $7.5 million to modernize Valley View Park, including adding a splash pad and dog parks and expanding its playground.

Lincoln County is requesting $27.3 million to construct a new multisport complex on 20 acres on the east side of the town of Panaca, including baseball, softball, football and soccer fields, a standard track and field layout and an indoor activity room.

Southern Nevada Water Authority is requesting $2.2 million to construct a wildlife and bird viewing tower at Warm Springs Natural Area and complete restoration projects on 7 acres in the Las Vegas Wash.

Northern Nevada parks, trails and natural areas

Carson City is requesting $14.9 million to renovate Mills Park, including its Vietnam Veterans Memorial, expanding its skatepark and adding shade structures and a splash park.

Churchill County is requesting $32.4 million to construct the 3C Recreational Complex in Fallon at the old Churchill County Fairgrounds, adding elements including a covered picnic area, playground, natural areas and a splash pad.

Campgrounds, trails and Hoover Dam

A campground destroyed after a 2016 wildfire at Great Basin National Park could be rebuilt, and access to portions of the park in eastern Nevada could be improved if the National Park Service’s $4.2 million request is approved.

The Strawberry Creek area was devastated by a wildfire that destroyed a newly built campground, bathrooms and horse corral; it also damaged bridges, trails and signs. That infrastructure, constructed with prior SNPLMA funding, was just 2 years old.

The park service wants to construct a new campground, including shade structures, bathrooms and sites accessible to people with disabilities, as well as fix trails and construct a new equestrian corral. The project will “increase recreational and camping opportunities while protecting the natural and cultural resources that make the canyon so spectacular,” the park service wrote in its proposal.

Other requests include slightly less than $23 million from the Bureau of Reclamation to draft design documents for improving public restroom and drinking water systems at Hoover Dam, as well as refurbishing popular tourist stops. Improvements would include installing new, multilingual exhibits, adding shade covers and addressing accessibility issues.

The U.S. Forest Service is looking to reconstruct the popular 5.1-mile Bristlecone and the 1.5-mile Cathedral Rock trails in the Spring Mountains. The trails were damaged during Tropical Storm Hillary in August and the agency estimates it needs about $5.3 million to repair them.

And a $6.1 million proposed telecommunications modernization project is proposed by the BLM at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area to improve Wi-Fi and cellphone service.

Sheep, trout and birds

Nevada’s plants and wildlife could be big winners under the 20th round of funding.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking $1.9 million to upgrade seven aging water guzzlers on the Desert National Wildlife Refuge to aid desert bighorn sheep conservation. The guzzlers are in areas where water is unreliable or not available, and many are aging or broken.

The agency is also seeking $5.4 million to establish a landscape-scale migratory bird monitoring and improvement program in Nevada, including tagging species and restoring critical migratory bird nesting and stopover habitat at areas from Mt. Charleston in Clark County to Pahranagat Valley in Lincoln County and Great Basin National Park in White Pine County.

The agency is also looking for $5.1 million to increase the supply of native plants and seeds across the Mojave Desert for restoration projects and to help offset the effects of nonnative, invasive plants.

The National Park Service is seeking $1.9 million to renovate the only Bonneville cutthroat trout brood pond in Nevada, thereby creating a source of the fish to stock Nevada streams; conduct “fishing with a ranger” programs at Great Basin National Park, where visitors can borrow fishing gear and receive basic instructions on how to fish; and improve cutthroat trout habitat in Nevada. The brood pond “has suffered from years of neglect and is in desperate need of renovation,” according to the agency.

The park service is also seeking $8.7 million to address illegal roads in the Government Wash and Overton Arm of Lake Mead National Recreation Area. The lake’s level has dropped more than 160 feet since 1983, and there are now hundreds of miles of documented illegal roads across the recreation area.

Officials estimate there could be two to three times as many roads that they haven’t documented. The roads run through culturally significant sites as well as rare soil ecosystems.

Wildfire prevention

A half dozen projects totaling $25.7 million were proposed, including:

creating wildfire and utility resilience corridors along the east and north shores of Lake Tahoe,
performing fuel reduction and meadow restoration at Tahoe’s Baldwin, Freel, Hellhole and Meiss meadows,
reducing fuels around Mt. Charleston,
creating a defense zone around Carson City’s Clear Creek area,
and performing fire mitigation and restoration around the Whittell Forest and Wildlife Area west of Washoe Valley.

Tortoise conservation

Clark County is seeking $4.1 million to protect resources, wildlife and desert tortoise habitat throughout the county.

Slightly less than $1 million would go toward wildlife crossings along U.S. Route 95, U.S. Route 93, State Route 163 and State Route 165 to aid the threatened Mojave Desert tortoise.

The county is also seeking to study the capacity of a desert tortoise rehoming site. Currently, the Clark County Desert Conservation Plan calls for desert tortoises found in construction zones to be relocated to a site near Boulder City to help slow the decline of the reptile. However, the site is near capacity for how many desert tortoises it can house.

The county is seeking to assess the health of existing tortoises and determine whether the area can house additional tortoises above the limits set out in the plan.

The county is also looking to add 4 miles of fencing along Corn Creek Road, the primary access point to Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument, to cut down on off roading and illegal shooting. Five miles of fencing was installed last year.

— This story is used with permission of The Nevada Independent. Go here for updates to this and other Nevada Independent stories.

Lyon County, Nevada Secretary of State’s Office address error on 2024 Lyon County Primary Ballot

Jeff Munson — Thu, 23 May 2024 00:05:35 +0000

Lyon County news release

YERINGTON — Lyon County and the Nevada Secretary of State are aware of the error on the 2024 Lyon County primary ballot regarding the number of candidates to vote for in the Fernley City Council Ward 5 and the Stagecoach General Improvement District Trustees races. Lyon County and the Secretary of State's Office are working through these issues and will have additional information for the candidates and voters by the end of this week.

Lyon County and the Secretary of State's Office want to assure voters that this does not impact the remaining items on the ballot for the 2024 primary election.

Further information on Lyon County elections is available on the elections page of the Lyon County website.

Carson City Parks, Rec and Open Space to celebrate National Trails Day, launch 'Trails Challenge'

Wed, 22 May 2024 23:40:03 +0000

By Erin Larsen

Join the Carson City Parks, Recreation and Open Space Department for a celebratory hike at the Foothill Trailhead in honor of National Trails Day! National Trails Day allows us to recognize and appreciate all the benefits we have from our local trail systems and appreciate the ability to be in nature.

On this year's National Trails Day, Carson City Open Space will be launching the new "Trails Challenge", a program created to encourage the exploration of Carson City's many trails and open spaces, with one of the trails on the Challenge being the V&T Trail. During the hike you will see trail maintenance being don and learn about the history of the V&T Trail, including the old V&T plant species.

Expect moderate terrain for about 1 mile. Be sure to bring close-toed shoes, snacks, plenty of water, and sun-protective clothing.

Join the Park Ranger and local ecologist led hike, check off the first trail on your Trails Challenge, and celebrate National Trails Day! Registration required ahead of time, and space is limited.

Go here to register.

Carson City locals, educators and students to travel to Japan

Wed, 22 May 2024 22:10:03 +0000

Benjamin Spence, Battle Born Travel Club

This June, a group of over 100 denizens of Carson City will depart for a 10-day educational exploration of Japan.

The group, consisting predominately of educators and students, will be leaving Carson City for Tokyo, and extend their learning to places such as Fuji-Hakone-Izu, Odawara, Kyoto, Osaka and will end their journey with an unforgettable tour of Hiroshima, including the Peace Memorial Park and Museum.

Headed by Benjamin Spence, History and AP teacher at Carson High School, Battle Born Travel Club aims to build incredible and unique bonds between students, their learning, and both the local and global community. With the support of educators and the Carson City community, BBTC has shown students and adult travelers alike such unforgettable places as Egypt, Costa Rica, Vietnam and more.

Battle Born Travel Club, in partnership with the community, aims to engage and empower students, parents and all travelers to become and remain life-long learners with the skills, knowledge and opportunities to thrive in an increasingly global society.

If educational travel is something you or those you love are interested in, or you would like to contribute to someone's exploration of the world, email bspence@battleborntravelclub.com or head to battleborntravelclub.com.

Battle Born Travel Club is an independently operated travel club and is not affiliated with Carson High School or the Carson City School District in any official capacity. Any views, opinions or activities expressed or undertaken by Battle Born Travel Club are solely those of the club and its members and do not represent the views or endorsements of Carson High School or the Carson City School District.

Second Annual Bette M. Larsen Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament to Benefit Carson High School Students

Wed, 22 May 2024 20:00:47 +0000

By Cheryl Webster and Timbers Saloon

Timbers Saloon will be hosting The Bette M. Larsen Second Annual Memorial Golf Tournament on June 22, 2024 to continue providing scholarships for our local students.

Our inaugural golf tournament last year was a huge success as we raised $9000.00 for Carson High School Scholarships. Come join us for our four man scramble to support this cause. Please contact Timbers Saloon at (775)882-8758 to sign up.

Carson City Sheriff's Office to conduct full-scale active shooter exercise at Carson High

Jeff Munson — Wed, 22 May 2024 19:33:29 +0000

Event Date:

June 4, 2024 - 8:00am

Jon Bakkedahl, Deputy Emergency Manager

On Tuesday, June 4, 2024, the Carson City Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Carson City School District and the Carson City Fire Department, will conduct a comprehensive active shooter Full-Scale Exercise at Carson High School.

The event will commence at 8 a.m. with a briefing on the active shooter exercise. The exercise will include Carson High School and Sheriff’s Office response to an active shooter, VIP tours of the incident, a media briefing, and a family reunification drill.

Full scale exercises allow multiple agencies to test response plans and to physically move resources and work through a scenario in a training environment.

The Emergency Management Division is responsible for assuring the city's readiness to respond to and recover from natural, technological, and man-made emergencies, and for assisting citizens in their emergency preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.

The mission of the division is to coordinate the prevention, protection, mitigation, response and recovery programs and resources through partnerships to build resilient communities for Carson City Residents and visitors.

If you have any concerns or questions, please contact Jon Bakkedahl at jbakkedahl@carson.org or call 775-283-7820.

Science & Nature Speaker Series at TNC's River Fork Ranch Preserve happening fourth Thursday of the month

Wed, 22 May 2024 19:22:58 +0000

By The Nature Conservancy

Join us for our spring Science & Nature Speaker Series at TNC's River Fork Ranch Preserve the fourth Thursday of each month! Experts from The Nature Conservancy in Nevada and partner organizations will share their expertise on a variety of topics. We hope to see you there!

2024 Speakers:

May 23: Louis Provencher, PhD (TNC Director of Science) Title: “Landscape Conservation Forecasting applications in the US and Australia”

June 27: Laurel Saito, PhD (TNC Strategy Director Water) Title: “Water in the Determining Decade: Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems in Nevada”

July 25: Chris Sega, (TNC Stewardship Manager) Title: “Lahontan Cutthroat Trout & Conservation at TNC’s Independence Lake Preserve”

Aug 22: Ned Bohman (Biologist with Great Basin Bird Observatory (GBBO)) Title: “Pinyon Jays in Nevada”

Sept 26: Mark Zimring (TNC CA Large Scales Fisheries Director) Title: “Can Markets Really Drive Conservation?”

Oct. 24: Thomas P. Albright, Ph.D. (Nevada State Climatologist (interim); Associate Professor, UNR College of
Science) Title: "Nevada Springs are … all about the Weather!"

Suggested donation: $10

For more information: lori.leonard@tnc.org
https://www.facebook.com/events/calendar

Carson City employees could see more raises coming their way, along with a new recognized holiday

Kelsey Penrose — Wed, 22 May 2024 18:07:01 +0000

Event Date:

May 24, 2024 - 8:00am

by Kelsey Penrose

On Friday, Carson City Supervisors will be discussing potential salary increases for classified and unclassified city workers. The meeting takes place beginning at 8 a.m. in the Bob Crowell Board Room of the Community Center, located at 851 E. William St.

The raises are a part of the planned 2025 city budget, which was first approved in April.

The agreement, if approved, will be between the city and the Carson City Employees Association, and will create a provision increasing salary ranges for all classified employees covered by the collective bargaining agreement and provide a one-time pay increase of 5 percent, or placement into the bottom of the adjusted salary range, whichever is greater.

The increases will cost the city approximately $1.9 million, which was already built into the city’s final budget.

In addition, unclassified employees will see new pay ranges established with a one time 5 percent salary increase or placement into the bottom of the adjusted pay range, whichever is greater, beginning May 31. In addition, the existing 2 percent cost-of-living increase on July 1 each year will continue. Unclassified salaries and benefits would increase by approximately $992,150, which was also built into the final budget.

The provision also stipulates that Juneteenth will be a legal holiday as recognized by the state.

The reason behind the changes is due to a recent study that found the current city pay rates for employees are below market average.

To read the agenda in its entirety, click here.