Members of the Douglas High Army Jr. ROTC Tiger battalion present the colors on Friday morning in Minden as part of a Veterans Day observance at the Douglas County Courthouse.
Photo by Kurt Hildebrand.
A score of veterans and their supporters turned out in 13-degree weather on Friday to observe Veterans Day in Douglas County.
Hosted by Welcome All Veterans Everywhere, the gathering was a moment to thank those who’ve served and recognize their sacrifice.
Members of the Douglas High School Army Jr. ROTC color guard presented the colors.
WAVE President Carl Schnock briefly thanked those for braving the cold to come out on Friday morning.
The monument was built and dedicated in 2018 and is located on the front lawn of the historic Douglas County courthouse.
The courthouse is home to the first veterans’ monument in Nevada, a plaque containing the names of every Douglas resident who served in World War I with stars by the names of the three residents who died in uniform.
Marking the Armistice that ended fighting on the Western Front, Veterans Day is observed on Nov. 11.
In honor of that first Armistice Day, the bell in front of the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center was rung by veteran Air Force Staff Sgt. Guy Proto.
“On behalf of the Douglas County Historical Society, we welcome you to celebrate the 1918 armistice marking the cessation of hostilities between the allies and Germany,” Historical Society Past President Dennis Little said. “As we approach the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we ring the historic school bell in honor of all veterans who have served our country.”
The Gardnerville museum is located in the former Douglas County High School, whose first class graduated just as the United States was entering the war.
The June 8, 1917, edition of The Record-Courier included a report on the high school commencement next to the list of Douglas men who’d registered for the draft.
Of the seven graduates that year, Siegfried Heise was the only male and while born in Centerville, at 18 he was too young for the draft.
Next door to the museum, Carson Valley Middle School students placed signs honoring the veterans in their lives on the front lawn.
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