Veterans Honored at Fernley Memorial Service

The sky was gray over Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley as the wind stirred the flags. The ceremony brief, its significance felt.

The Nevada Veterans Coalition had come together to honor those who had served and then forgotten by their families. The crowd, few in number, stood silent as the Patriot Guard Riders marched in with the flags.

In remembrance, the names read as the columbarium wall echoed them solemnly.

The ceremony was simple: a three-volley salute, Taps, and Amazing Grace. Then, the folding of the flag—neat, sharp, deliberate. It was presented, as always, to a member of the community who was humble enough to accept it.

Diane Mckillip took the flag, her hands steady. She had come from Sparks.

She knew the men who had worn the uniform. Her grandfather had been in the Navy, her father in the Marines, and an Uncle had flown in Korea.

She stood, quiet, at the edge of the pavilion, taking in the weight of it all.

The narrator, Sharon Serenko, spoke with a voice that echoed in the stillness. She thanked the veterans for their service and reminded those who had come to remember that each gravestone told a story—one that needed hearing.

She called it a privilege, and it was clear she meant it.

The ceremony ended as it had begun. Simple. No fanfare.

Just a quiet remembrance. A nation’s gratitude in a small act of respect.

The veterans laid to rest for February included Air Force Sgt. Patrick Mooney, Army Pvt. William Gryder, Spc. 4 Jeffrey Keltner, Ralph Leonardi, Pvt. Ronald McLarnan, 1Lt. Thomas O’Brien, Pfc. William Shipley, Navy SR Daniel Alvey, EMC Melvin Burrow, SM3 Thomas Dougherty, CS3 Ronald Huff, SN Philip Rupert, MM2 Mario Secchi, and U.S. Marines Gunnery Sgt. Richard Harold and Cpl. Richard Machado.

Veterans laid to rest in January included Air Force Airman First Class William Dickey and Airman Second Class George Kell, Army Pfc. Randolf Chandler, Sgt. Dennis Chrisman, Sgt. Walden Crawford, Spec. Fourth Class Leonardi Fontes, Sgt. Carl Huycke, Pfc. Andrew Pullos, Jordan Sanchez; Navy Lawrence Flattem, IC3 Robert Hell, MM2 Darrel Kelly, AWC Jerry Jenkins, SA Carey Petty, ETN3 David Ruhl, and John Winter.

Dust to dust. Amen.