By Breven Honda
The Fifth Annual Mesquite Veterans Party is right around the corner. On Nov. 9, the Virgin Valley Daughters of the American Revolution chapter, along with the Mesquite Poker Boys, is hosting the event with the theme, “A Country Western Jamboree.”
Ruth Dickie, who is part to the DAR Virgin Valley Chapter and on the Veterans Party Committee, said “They love it. Mesa Valley veterans, I don’t know about anybody else. I know the veterans involved down there love it, and they’re excited about it, of course. It’s one more venue that gets these veterans from Mesa Valley Estates out and honored. We’re honoring them by doing this and they think it’s wonderful.”
The site for this year’s celebration will take place at the Virgin River Casino Event Tent, which was generously donated by Mesquite Gaming.
“This new location allows us to offer the great food and beverages provided by Mesquite Gaming in a spacious and comfortable setting,” said Cindy Conti, who is also on the party planning committee. “We are grateful to Mesquite Gaming for offering us this space for the event.”
This comes after the previous veteran parties have taken place at the Mesquite Recreation Center.
One of the improvements from last year’s party to this year’s will be the activity for the veterans and their families in attendance.
“Last year was really our first year doing it as a big event like this,” Dickie said. “I think they’re going to have more fun this year with some line dancing and western music because last year we spent a lot of time on the program and not so much time on the fun. And this year, I think it’s going to be, it’s a little bit more fun for everybody.”
As a result, it is a prime opportunity to wear your cowboy boots and be ready to stomp your feet to some favorite country songs played by two popular bands, Rolling Joe & the Tumbleweeds and Dealt A Straight. Dance performances will be given by the Recreation Center Life Long Dancers under the direction of Line Dance Instructor Susie Fehseke and Clogging Instructor Pam Sadler.
The Veterans Party will open with a patriotic tribute to our local veterans with Mayor Al Litman as the Master of Ceremonies. Virgin Valley elementary school student Alana Davis will sing the National Anthem as the Virgin Valley Honor Guard will present the colors. In addition, musicians from the Dry Heat Jazz Band will play a patriotic medley.
This event, which will take place from 2 to 5 p.m., pays tribute to our local veterans on the Saturday before Veterans Day with the goal of raising $20,000 for the Mesquite Veterans Center.
Planning for this event began in March and monthly meetings have been held to prepare for the party
Conti said the entire committee have stepped up to ensure this is a successful party next month.
“It’s been going great. It’s a lot of work, but we have a great team of people from the city,” Conti said. “We have the mayor and his wife, Phyllis. We have representatives from the Mesquite Poker Boys on the committee. We have representatives from the Showgirls on the committee, plus the DAR, several members are on the committee and as well as the leadership of the Veterans Center. So, the committee has the right people to do the conversations and come up with the best solutions.
“They’ve been very steadfast, monthly meetings at the Mesquite Veterans Center.”
The Mesquite Showgirls will also assist with a silent auction, and a raffle that includes prizes from Mesquite, St. George and Las Vegas area businesses. This year’s collection of prizes exceeds anything offered in the past from dinner at Katherine’s to a skydive package from Skydive Mesquite.
There is something for everyone, so don’t forget to bring your wallet.
Platinum Sponsors for this year’s event include Legacy Construction & Development and Crown Cork & Seal.
Silver sponsors are First Baptist Church, Reliance Connects and Nevada Residential Construction.
“We are very fortunate to have many generous organizations in Mesquite that are eager to support the Veterans Center,” Conti said. “This support is crucial for the Veterans Center to continue their operation.”
Since 2009, the Veterans Center has been an important resource for area veterans seeking support for military benefits and counseling services. Conceived by, established by and staffed by veteran volunteers it continues to stand strong because of donations from Mesquite businesses, local organizations and individuals living in the area.
“The importance of the Veterans Center cannot be overstated,” Conti said. “It assists our local veterans to receive the benefits they’ve earned and deserve.”
The Mesquite Veterans Center serves as the parent organization and central location for the Vietnam Veterans Chapter 993, the VFW Post 7583, the American Legion Post 24, and the Virgin Valley Honor Guard. The center is a safe place for veterans to gather, network and spend time with other veterans.
Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased at the Mesquite Fine Arts Center or online at virginvalleydar.org. Conti said there is a chance that the event might be sold out, so get your tickets early and join the DAR for an afternoon of patriotism and country western music.
