On Thursday, however, veterans were instead thanking Churchill County High School senior Natalie Reavy, whose project to honor those who have served their country from the Revolutionary War to the present wars in Iraq and Afghanistan was on display at the Fallon Convention Center.
Reavy's project originated as part of the Girl Scout Gold Award, the equivalent to an Eagle Scout award. She wanted to assemble a project that paid homage to veterans.
Several hundred people including retired and current veterans attended the presentation, a turnout that surprised Reavy.
“I am very pleased with the turnout,” Reavy said after talking to several well-wishers from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Lawton-Silva Chapter 1002 Ladies Auxiliary.
The hard work paid off for Reavy. With the help of people from her church and several service organizations, she assembled various displays that told the veterans' story. She hopes the project will be the start of something special on Veterans Day.
Reavy, who wants to study medicine at the University of Nevada next year, said she hopes her fellow Girl Scouts continue this project next year.
While many of the displays informed attendees of the veterans and their service, a video presentation, “Salute to the Red, White and Blue,” was shown in an adjacent room. The video included music and interview with well-known celebrities.
“This is incredible. The information is mind-boggling,” said Connie Berrier, a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. “We're going to invite her to speak at the Ladies Auxiliary about her project.”
Barbara Eaton, another member of the Ladies Auxiliary, agreed.
“I would like to see this project go statewide, especially with the VFW,” she said.
Lance McNeil, commander of the American Legion Post 16 in Fallon, said Reavy did an excellent job in portraying veterans during both peacetime and in war. McNeil said he enjoyed the Victory Europe display and the telegram sent to a woman advising her of a missing son.
“Very good, very impressed for someone her age to do this,” McNeil said.
As he was standing near the display, a little girl walked up to McNeil, tugged at his pant leg and thanked him. McNeil was moved.
“Kids very young respect those who are veterans,” he said.
Gordy Coleman of Fallon retired from the Navy four years ago after a 34-year career. He was one of the first to thank Reavy for her project.
“I was drawn to this event by the newspaper coverage of this girl's efforts,” he said. “It's an honor to support her. I assured her every person who wears a uniform would be proud of her efforts.”
After reading one of the posters on veterans, Mayor Ken Tedford Jr. said Reavy “did a very nice job on an important day.”
“Veterans don't get enough recognition,” Tedford said, adding that displays like Reavy's need to pass from generation to generation. “It's important to pass it on.”
When Reavy first came up with the idea, she contacted Mike Mader from the Nevada Office of Veterans Service. Mader, a Fallon resident who has been with the agency for 15 years, said Reavy's display is definitely a Gold Award project.
“I am pleased with the crowd. When I pulled up, I couldn't believe all the cars that were here,” said Mader, a veteran himself who spent 20 years in the Navy, retiring in 1988. “For her to do this (the project) is impressive, and this is one of the reasons I live in Fallon. We need more events like this here.”
-- Article by Steve Ronson at Lahontan Valley News, Tuesday, November11, 2010
-- Photograph courtesy of Lahontan Valley News, Tuesday, November 11, 2010
