By Catherine Ellerton
Moapa Valley Progress
The long-time dream of Ret. Army Sgt. Major Ed Fizer has come to fruition. The Veteran’s Service Office in Mesquite, Nevada, has opened its doors to all service personnel in the valley from Moapa Valley to Beaver Dam, Bunkerville, Littlefield and as far away as St. George.
The city of Mesquite made the land available, a repossessed model home display unit was obtained and over 2200 hours of volunteer time was logged. Various community organizations chipped in and the official opening was held on February 12.
This facility offers a meeting place for veterans and other civic organizations and will soon open its facilities to outside community/private functions. There is a Wall of Fame where families of a veteran might buy a tile in remembrance of their beloved veteran.
But, most importantly, this is the place that local veterans and their families can come for help with their military benefits. Retired Navy Corpsman James Brown acts as an advocate with the VA to obtain these benefits.
Brown sites cases of World War II veterans who came home, got on with their lives and families and now require the assistance of their well-earned benefits . These people now have a place to come for assistance, he said. This is also a place where family members can come to obtain help in getting through the paperwork to obtain a marker for a grave.
The center’s personnel work together with the Mesa View Hospital and the Disabled American Veteran’s Van. This van is run by volunteer Elk members. Four days a week they drive to Las Vegas taking veterans to various clinics.
On Thursdays, the Hospital performs blood work for many Vets and the van then transports that in to Las Vegas as well. For veterans who wish to take advantage of this service, call 702-345-2811 to make a reservation.
This Mesquite Veterans Service Office is located at 840 Hafen Drive – next to the Mesa View Administration Building (old Arcon Building).
