Service ensures no veteran is forgotten

Every month the Nevada Veteran's Coalition Honor Guard holds a service for those who served our country and at the end of life, don't have family members to honor that sacrifice.

"These are veterans that their families for whatever reason aren't here, so everybody that comes out here to the cemetery for this, we're actually the extended family for all of these veterans," said Tom Draughon of the Nevada Veterans' Coalition. "We give them the final dignified service that they deserve."

For members of the Nevada Patriot Guard, it's a long-standing tradition.

"We're really proud to be here for these veterans who served our country and gave a portion of their lives so we can enjoy the freedoms that we have," said Roger Elliott of the Nevada Patriot Guard.

The service is open to anyone who wants to pay their final respects and show these men and women their sacrifices didn't go unnoticed.

"It's awesome seeing the community come out here and support all of the veterans," said SFC Mayra Haaglund of the Nevada Army National Guard. "A lot of them don't have families, so it's a way for the community to pay our final respects to them."

It's a way to show those who served that they will never be forgotten.

"We don't forget any veteran no matter who they are, how long they served or where they served," Draughon said. "They all deserve to be remembered and have a respectful and dignified service and that's what we do here."

The ceremony is held at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley the fourth Thursday of every month.