November Events Celebrate Veterans

K. Patricia Bouweraerts
Felipe Gutierrez Image

TMCC Veterans Pre-Admissions Associate Felipe Gutierrez, here as a TMVC officer hosting one of the club's events.

Nearly 700 students who attend Truckee Meadows Community College are veterans, and during November many events are being held to honor student veterans and service members in the community.

The Engage Veteran Professionals conference, flag-planting and dedication event, and Veterans Job and Resource Fair will be held at TMCC, and the Truckee Meadows Veterans Club will participate in Reno’s Veterans Day Parade.

Engage Veteran Professionals

A professional development and networking event, Engage Veteran Professionals, will take place at the William N. Pennington Applied Technology Center, EDSN 180, on Friday, Nov. 3, beginning at 9 a.m.

The conference is free of charge and open to all veterans attending TMCC and the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), and to veterans in the community. It starts with a breakfast sponsored by the University of Nevada Alumni Association, Veterans Alumni Chapter and the TMCC Veterans Resource Center (VRC).

Speakers will include the following:

  • Gunnar Annis, Presidet, Truckee Meadows Veterans Club (TMVC)
  • Nancy McCormick, Senior Vice President, Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada
  • Lisa Howard, Director, VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System

Attendees are asked to RSVP to Engage.NV by email, or at the Facebook event page at Engage. Engage Veteran Professionals are professional development events co-sponsored by the UNR Veterans Alumni Chapter, and TMCC VRC and TMVC.

Flags Planted in Plaza and Cake Ceremony

“On Monday, Nov. 6 at 9 a.m. we will be planting flags in the TMCC Plaza—one flag for each student veteran,” said Felipe Gutierrez, Veterans Pre-Admissions Associate. “We are encouraging anyone who would like to help to come out and plant a couple of flags. We have close to 700, so any help will be appreciated.”

The flags will be dedicated on Thursday, Nov. 9 in a ceremony led by TMVC President Gunnar Annis. The dedication will coincide with a celebration of the U.S. Marine Corps birthday (Nov. 10). A large cake will be cut with a sword by Marine Bill Baines, Professor Emeritus of Communication.

A barbecue will also be offered, weather permitting.

Veterans Day Parade

The Reno Veterans Day Parade takes place on Saturday, Nov. 11, with the Truckee Meadows Veterans Club taking part marching in the event.

An opening ceremony at the Virginia Street Bridge at Virginia Street and First Street, begins at 11:11 a.m. with a fly-over by jets. A ceremonial wreath is thrown into the Truckee River at 11:20 a.m.

The parade route proceeds north on Virginia Street from Liberty Street to Fifth Street, and it typically concludes between 2–3 p.m. The event’s theme this year is “Reno 150—Celebrating Reno's Sesquicentennial."

Family and friends of parade participants are encouraged to attend, as well as the entire community.

Veterans Job and Resource Fair

TMCC’s Veterans Job and Resource Fair features employment opportunities and community resources especially for veterans.

  • When: Friday, Nov. 17, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
  • Where: V. James Eardley Student Center, Dandini Campus, 7000 Dandini Blvd.

"Over 30 employers and resources are currently registered to attend,” said Kelley Wong, Student Professional Development Coordinator. "Employers find value in hiring veterans, as many of the transferable skills gained in the military are easily transferable and beneficial to a variety of positions including time management, leadership, attention to detail and many others."

For more information about the upcoming events honoring veterans of TMCC and the community, please contact Zachary Totans, Veterans Resource Center Coordinator at 775-673-8212.