LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Several outstanding service members were honored by Southern Nevada’s business community Friday at the Vegas Chamber’s annual MAC Night Out.
The Vegas Chamber and its Military Affairs Committee recognized sailors, airmen and soldiers from Nellis Air Force Base, Creech Air Force Base and the Nevada National Guard at the event held at the Westgate Resort & Casino. Members of the business community paid tribute to outstanding honorees, many of whom are young leaders trusted with millions of dollars in equipment and heavy responsibility.
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Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley gave opening remarks, thanking the service members for their support of the community. The Chamber also presented an award to a local nonprofit organization that supports the military.
The night brought together local employers and military families. Event organizers said it is the only event of its kind in Nevada, dedicated to honoring service and sacrifice.
Business support critical for Guard, Reserve members
Mary Beth Sewald, president and CEO of the Vegas Chamber, said hosting the event gives service members from every branch rare public recognition for their work.
“It is so important for the Vegas Chamber to honor Nevada’s military men and women because they sacrifice so much every single day for our country and for us to have freedom and to live in a great community like Nevada, great community like Southern Nevada,” Sewald said. “It really is a unique opportunity for us to honor them. And it really is a very unusual thing for them to be recognized.”
Leaders with the Nevada Army National Guard said support from the business community is critical. They said it helps Guard and Reserve members who leave civilian jobs to deploy and then return to work.
“So I think any support that our service members receives is great. But when we get support from our businesses, we know that we’re getting this type of support that’s going to help our service members when they have to leave their families, deploy, go overseas, spend years away in some cases from home, but then have to come back to a civilian occupation in the terms of the National Guard and the Reserve,” said Troy Armstrong, assistant adjutant general of the Nevada Army National Guard.
Armstrong said the understanding of the business community and those who employ soldiers is important, especially after decades of continuous service by National Guard and Reserve soldiers.
The event featured a meal and an opportunity for attendees to socialize and learn more about the role of service members in the community. General Andre Barry, the former adjutant general for the state of Nevada, served as master of ceremonies.
Families of the honorees traveled from across the country to watch them be recognized. The event was part of Military Appreciation Month.
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