Event focuses on concerns of veterans

Nevada veterans, activists and service organizations will chart their course for state legislative priorities during a daylong summit Saturday at the Eastside Cannery.

The summit, held by the Nevada Veterans Services Commission and Nevada Office of Veterans Services, will focus on the state of affairs facing tens of thousands of veterans of all ages in the state.

"It's really an educational seminar for veterans," said Bill DiBenedetto, spokesman for the Nevada Office of Veterans Services.

He expects more than 150 to attend the free event, which is open to veterans and their families.

The summit, with representatives from the Legislature and veterans service groups, will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the resort, 5255 Boulder Highway in Las Vegas.

The event is funded by donations to the Nevada Veterans Gift Fund and the Nevada Veterans License Plate Program.

"They're coming together to say this is who we are, this is our funding we seek, what we're going to do this legislative session and how we're going to get there," DiBenedetto said.

Tim Tetz, executive director of the Office of Veterans Services, described the summit as "a great opportunity for Nevada veterans to meet state legislators ... and foster advocacy throughout the state."

"With all the economic challenges facing Nevada, it's even more imperative we unite to uphold the promises made to our veterans," Tetz said in a statement.