Dear Editor,

Attention all Lincoln County veterans:

In the mission statement for the Pioche American Legion Auxiliary No. 35, they say, ?In the spirit of service, not self, the mission of the American Legion Auxiliary is to support the American Legion and to honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans, military, and their families, both at home and abroad. For God and Country, we advocate for veterans, educate our citizens, mentor youth, and promote patriotism, good citizenship, peace and security.?

In recent years the members of the Pioche ALA No. 35 have sent many young ladies to Girls State in Reno to learn about the political process of becoming an assembly person, congressman or senator, and how to get a bill passed. They have also fund raised over $2,500 to repair the Veterans monument and $8,200 to replace the bronze plaque, which was dedicated on Labor Day Weekend in September 2011. This plaque depicts all the veterans from Lincoln County that have served our country over the years to protect and provide each of us the freedoms we enjoy every day.

Unfortunately there are those in the community that have not taught their children the value of these veteran?s sacrifices and have allowed them to run amuck in the community defacing the plaque, monument and other properties in the Pioche Town Park. Patriotism and spirit of service, not self is greatly lacking in our younger generations today. Very few young folks from Lincoln County choose to make the military a career or to even serve their country. Hence, the membership of the Lincoln County veteran?s service organizations has been dwindling consistently over the past few years.

As final acts of support to the veterans that have served our country so faithfully, the Pioche American Legion Auxiliary No. 35 is doing the following. Donations of considerable funding will be given to the national organizations of: Adopt a Platoon, Disabled Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans, Toys for Tots, Wounded Warrior Project, and to the three veterans and other residents residing at the Grover C. Dils Long Term Care Facility in Caliente.

Second, they are providing a ?Welcome to Pioche? Monument to be placed near the intersection of Main Street and Hollywood Way in Pioche. Thank you so much to the Catholic Church for donating the property where the welcome monument will reside.
Third, we are searching for all Lincoln County veterans organizations. Currently, we have comprised a list of organizations in Lincoln County that are serving veterans: Alamo American Legion Post No. 17, Post Commander KC Stewart 775-962-2523; Caliente American Legion Post No. 23, Post Commander Adam Brose 775-962-3444; Pioche American Legion Post No. 35, Post Commander Leland Lesicka 775-962-1165; Caliente VFW Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7114, Post Commander Patrick ?Jack? Horner 775-726-3156 and the Caliente Veterans Cemetery operating strictly on donations, managed by the Caliente VFW.
We have heard through the grapevine that there may be a group of Marines that meet regularly for the veterans common good and that there is a women veterans of Nevada organization with a few members in Lincoln County, but we have no contact information for them. If there are any other organizations in the county not listed above that serve veterans please contact Linda Rollins at 775-962-1304.

Lastly, we are attempting to compile a comprehensive list of all individual veterans presently residing in Lincoln County. Using the above service organizations and ?word-of-mouth? we have started this list. As mentioned earlier we are disbanding the Pioche American Legion Auxiliary No. 35, in this process we have to empty our bank account and close our books by Dec 31. Please help us locate veteran?s organizations and/or individuals to disburse our funds. Thank you all for your service. Please contact ALA No. 35 Project Chair Linda Rollins at 775-962-1304 for any information.

The Pioche American Legion Auxiliary No. 35