by Terence Way (condensed from material courtesy of NDVS)
On June 17, 2019, in the Old Assembly Chambers in Carson City, Larry Osborne was named Veteran of the Month (VOM) while the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Verdi Post 10053 was named Veteran Supporter of the Month (VSM). Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak, Nevada Department of Veteran Services (NDVS) Deputy Director Fred Wagar, along with Veteran Service Commission Chairman Bill Baumann and Member Sally Wiley were all in attendance.
Larry Osborne served in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1964. While he is a life member of the Korean War Veterans Association, he was also elected Secretary for the Carson City Chapter #305 in 2016, 2017, & 2018. He also maintains their records and communications and also organizes local events.
Since 2016, Larry has also been a Nevada Veterans Advocate and has participated in many events including; The Dragon Boat Festival in Sparks, the Walk in Memory in Carson City, and the Minden Aviation Roundup. Larry ensures that the Northern NDVS Outreach team stays current on events that potentially benefit local veterans. Around Carson City, Larry assists veterans, serves on several boards and committees, liaises with Richards Crossing concerning veterans’ benefits, and coordinates with other veteran activists (Hannah Kim).
Since their inception in 1965, VFW Verdi Post 10053 continue to assist our veterans, troops, and the community– doing whatever it takes to live up to the VFW motto: “no one does more for Veterans.”
Four of their members have been nominated and selected as the VOM; most of their members belong to more than one Veterans Service Organization, showing their dedication to the local veterans, including: the American Legion, Fleet Reserve Association, Marine Corps League, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Disabled American Veterans, and the Vietnam Veterans of America. As examples of their local community dedication, their members are also involved with: the Knights of Columbus, the Eagles, the Clampers, the Reno Rodeo Association, and the Elks. And they have a VFW Veterans Service Officer & Nevada Veterans Advocate amongst their membership.
Some members assist the VA as drivers and ambassadors; they donate to the Veterans Guest House, local food banks and soup kitchens, and other local charities; they hand out necessities at veteran stand-downs. They also work with area veteran cemeteries on Memorial Day.
They provide scholarship funds for local middle and high school students. They support the VFW National Home for Children (established in 1925), helping family circles stay together, especially when servicemembers don’t return home from war.
They regularly welcome home returning heroes at the Reno Tahoe Airport, while offering (civilian) transition support. Providing our overseas troops a little taste of home with “needs” or “wants” that are unobtainable there, “Treats for Troops” is Post 10053’s most beloved program! They recently sent a package filled with treats and necessities weighing 60 lbs.!
For further information and details, please visit: https://veterans.nv.gov/veteran-of-the-month-and-veteran-supporter-of-the-month/
