Nevada Veterans Coalition conducts unaccompanied service for 7 veterans

By Steve Ranson, Lahontan Valley News Editor Emeritus

An unaccompanied military ceremony honored seven servicemen Aug. 23 at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Those recognized for their service included AMN Gregory Boyer, U.S. Air Force; Cpl. John Dominick, U.S. Army; RM3 Russell Kiser, U.S. Navy; Airman Joseph Krynski, U.S. Air Force; Pvt. Ned McNeil, U.S. Army; Cpl. John Miller, U.S. Army; and Cpl. Richard Tracy, U.S. Army.

Every month, the Nevada Veterans Coalition conducts a service for veterans, who, for some reason, don’t have a relative or friend in the Northern Nevada area to attend the ceremony. During the short service, an honor guard formed by the Patriot Guard riders carried U.S. flags to the main staging area and then stood at attention for the posting of colors. The ceremony also included a 3-round volley gun salute, the playing of “Taps” and NVC member Tom Draughon singing “Amazing Grace.” Lyon County Sheriff Al McNeil, who retired from the U.S. Marine Corps after a 21-year career, played the bagpipes.

The veterans’ remains were interred at the columbarium on the cemetery’s north side prior to Thursday’s ceremony.

NVC member Sharon Serenko narrated the ceremony.

“We honor our sacrifices as we honor theirs,” she said, adding each serviceman responded to the nation’s call.

Serenko said it was a privilege to give the seven men their military honors and to remember them.

“We remember and thank each of these veterans for their service to their country,” she added. “Most of us honoring these veterans are veterans themselves.”