The Nevada State Veterans Memorial opened Wednesday at its new permanent home in the Thunderbird Family Sports Complex near Centennial Hills, marked by a Joint Armed Forces Color Guard and a helicopter flyover. The ceremony honored the more than 200,000 veterans living in Nevada and celebrated the memorial's relocation from downtown Las Vegas, where it was first dedicated in 2015 outside the Grant Sawyer Building.
The move became necessary after the state sold the Grant Sawyer Building to Lennar Corp. for residential redevelopment. State officials cited leaking sewage and mold complaints at the old site. While state workers relocated to offices near Harry Reid International Airport, that location lacked adequate space for the memorial's 18 bronze statues by sculptor Douwe Blumberg, which represent service members from conflicts dating back to the Revolutionary War.
The $7.69 million project was a collaboration among the city of Las Vegas, the Nevada Department of Veterans Services, and the Mayor's Fund for Las Vegas LIFE. The new site includes two reflection areas — one with pavers naming deceased Nevada service members from Iraq and Afghanistan — along with new landscaping, an open-air promenade, an amphitheater, and improved parking and restrooms.
Councilwoman Francis Allen-Palenske, whose Ward 4 includes the memorial, said the Thunderbird Family Sports Complex is a fitting location given its namesake, the Thunderbird Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base. She expressed hope that veterans would find tranquility at the site while children playing nearby are reminded of the sacrifices that protect their freedoms.
Nevada Department of Veterans Services Director Mary Devine said the memorial tells a story beyond the battlefield, honoring courage and sacrifice while recognizing the human side of military service and the families who love those who serve.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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