October Veteran of the Month

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By: Janet Snyder Photos by: Lawrence Oravetz

This October Veteran of the Month was Ken Hill. He was born Sept 19th, 1924 in Oakland, California. He was in service November 9th, 1943 until February 22th, 1946. He was in the US Army Quartermaster Corps, and was a rank Tec 5. He was a part of 3315 QM Truck Co. Decorations and Citations: Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 1 Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal.

He moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, in 1973, and was one of the founders of Clark County Community College (now College of Southern Nevada) and was named Professor Emeritus by the Board of Regents.  He helped veterans apply for financial aid, and was an instructor and administrator for 23 years in California and 21 years in Nevada for a total of 44 years.

He is a life member of Jewish War Veterans Murray L. Rosen Post 64, volunteer for Kline Veterans Fund, participating in the Poppy Drive to provide financial assistance and support to homeless, at-risk and indigent veterans and families in Southern Nevada.

Graves Registration Officer, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.  His grandfather was a First Lieutenant in Pennsylvania during the Civil War.  Gives annual certificates and medals as recognition to outstanding JROTC cadets at local high schools.  He was a Boy Scout leader for more than 50 years, and his 3 sons were Eagle Scouts; at Eagle Scout Courts of Honor gives annual certificates and awards to new Eagle Scouts from Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. He participates in the Civil War Experience at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, teaching young people and adults about life in the Civil War. In all Civil War events he wears a replica of his grandfather’s uniform.

Ken is Honorary Member of Society of Military Widows of Southern Nevada Chapter 34, was a photographer for the SMW National Convention in Las Vegas in 2017, and raised money to send a female WWII veteran on an Honor Flight to Washington, DC.

The ceremony was on Oct 18th at the Great Sawyer Building. Ken received many Certificate of Recognition’s from Governor Brian Sandoval, Director of Nevada Department of Veterans Services, Katherine Miller, Representatives from Senator Dean Heller, Senator Cortez Masto, Congresswoman Dina Titus, and Jackie Rosen. The reception was catered by Leticia’s Cocina.