Mesquite Monthly

This Veterans Day, Saturday, Nov. 11, the Fourth Annual Mesquite Veterans Party that will pay tribute to our local veterans in an afternoon filled with live music and local performers.

The Veterans Party is a fund-raiser to benefit the Mesquite Veteran Center and is presented by the Daughters of the American Revolution, Virgin Valley Chapter and the Mesquite Poker Boys. 

The theme of this year’s event, “Soldiers and Bobby Soxers”, is a 1950s sock-hop featuring 50s music and decor in the Mesquite REC Center gym. 

Since 2009, the Mesquite Veteran Center (MVC) has served as the parent organization and central meeting place for the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 993, the VFW Post 7583, the American Legion Post 24, and the Virgin Valley Honor Guard. 

MVC volunteers routinely assist veterans with online enrollment for military benefits, they communicate with the Veterans Administration to resolve benefits issues and help interpret the many forms that are needed to apply for and receive medical benefits. 

Without the MVC volunteers, the process can be frustrating, time consuming and often futile.

MVC volunteers also provide veterans with rides to medical appointments both in Mesquite and out of the area. 

When a Mesquite veteran recently needed a ride to St. George for chemotherapy treatments, an MVC volunteer drove the veteran several times each week for therapy. 

The MVC is an invaluable resource for veterans who have no means of transportation or who are unable to drive.

The Combat Veterans Discussion Group is held at the MVC two times each month. 

This counseling program is led by a therapist from the Department of Veteran Services and gives combat veterans the chance to discuss their PTSD symptoms with other combat veterans. 

Recent statistics show that in the US an average of 22 military veterans commit suicide every day. Participants can reach out to one another when they need someone to talk to on difficult days.

There’s 24/7 support from other combat veterans in the group.

The MVC is funded solely through community donations, making fund-raising events like the Veterans Party critical to their future operation. We hope you’ll join us on Veterans Day to say thank you to our local veterans and to raise money for an important cause. For an afternoon of dancing, live music, great food and the chance to dress like a bobby-soxer, you won’t want to miss this moving tribute to our local veterans and fun-filled community event.

50s attire is encouraged but not required.  Soft soled shoes only for admission. Program starts at 2:00 and ends at 5:30 p.m.. Tickets are $8 for adults – admission is free for kids 12 and under. Avoid the line at the door – advance ticket sales are now available at the Mesquite Fine Arts Center. Cash sales only the day of the event.