NVAO Members,
It is with a heavy heart that we start this update with the sad news of Steve “Nugget” Wandt’s passing on July 24. Steve rode all the way with the NVAR, was a friend to everyone and had a wonderful way with Veterans in the VA Hospitals and Homes. He was a good man and will be missed by all of us. We are dedicating the 2024 NVAR to Steve. Attached is a photo of Steve paying his respects at the Vietnam Memorial.
Over the summer, we have received a number of videos, newspaper articles, VA publications and handwritten letters about the 2023 National Veterans Awareness Ride. We’d like to share some of them with you in this Update.
1. First is a video that was put together by Larry LaVerne (American Legion Post 84 in Auburn CA) and forwarded to us by Fred Corcoran (California Assistant State Coordinator). The video shows us arriving at Bowman School, having breakfast before we take off on Wednesday morning, and the ride through Auburn, led by the Auburn Jeep Club.
2. Next are a couple of articles from the Auburn Journal (the Auburn, CA newspaper). The first attached story is about the NVAR visit to Bowman School and the second attached story is about our visit to Mather VA Hospital. The articles were written by and the photos were taken by our very own Libby Taylor-Worden.
3. Attached is a wonderful story and photographs chronicling the NVAR visit to VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System in Reno, NV. The story was written by our key contact at the Reno VA facility, Joanne Farris, Recreation Therapy Lead and the photos were shot by George Anastassatos, the VA photographer. The feelings expressed by Joanne are the reason we all feel so strongly about the NVAR: “The NVAR may have been only one day, but the message (of respect and friendship) will live on for years to come”.
4. Next is a photo of a remarkable woman (and friend of the NVAR), Dortha Parsons, accompanied by Eddie Shinn (West Virginia State Coordinator) and Jerry Conner. We’ve met Dortha during previous visits to the Louis A. Johnson VAMC in Clarksburg, WV but we were not aware of her accomplishments. She told us that in March 2023, at the national convention in Denver, she was awarded the Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service “National Female Volunteer” of the year. We asked her to jot out a letter that shares with us her history with the VA. Attached is her handwritten letter outlining her amazing, volunteer efforts.
5. Next, attached is a piece from WBOY TV.com reviewing TV interviews with NVAR riders, Mike Rinowski and Tony Cunningham, describing the NVAR visit to the Louis A. Johnson VAMC in Clarksburg, WV.
6. We wanted to attach a video of the NVAR wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery but it’s too big for this email, so we’ll send it to you separately. Thanks to Ivan “Keyless” Bourge for forwarding the video.
7. We’d like to announce the winners of the gun raffle that took place at various stops the 2023 NVAR made across the country. Mike Rinowski won the pistol and John Larson won the shotgun. Thanks to all of you who participated in the raffle.
In closing, we’d like to announce a couple of changes in the leadership of the National Veterans Awareness Organization.
Buzz Neeb has retired from the NVAO Board of Directors. As we previously announced, Buzz handed over the reins of the position of Treasurer to Jim Grant and he stayed on the Board for a short while to help with the transition. Buzz has been involved with the National Veterans Awareness Organization since the very beginning and has ridden on every NVAR since its inception. We appreciate Buzz’s past participation on the Board, and we look forward to many more years of Buzz riding with us.
We are pleased to announce that Bill Luft is joining the NVAO Board of Directors. Bill has been riding with the NVAR since the beginning and is currently the Nebraska State Coordinator and the Wreath Laying Leader on the NVAR. Bill brings with him strong organizational and leadership skills and a deep appreciation of the mission of the National Veterans Awareness Organization.
We are pleased to announce that Bill Luft is joining the NVAO Board of Directors. Bill has been riding with the NVAR since the beginning and is currently the Nebraska State Coordinator and the Wreath Laying Leader on the NVAR. Bill brings with him strong organizational and leadership skills and a deep appreciation of the mission of the National Veterans Awareness Organization.
That’s it for now.
Be careful out there.
The NVAO Board of Directors
