Nevada County has a long history of honoring its veterans for their military service and for working to improve our community - from the American Legion Post 130 dreaming up the concept of building the Veterans Memorial Building in Grass Valley in 1927 (completed in April of 1932), to the American Legion installing on the Highway 20 and 49 bridges plaques bearing the names and service affiliations of local heroes. Nevada County’s connection to our local active-duty military members is further strengthened when considering that 116 active-duty members who serve at Beale Air Force Base (AFB) call our county home and bring $9.8 million in revenue to our economy annually.
Recently, County leadership reached out to Beale AFB Commander Colonel Heather Fox seeking to explore opportunities to strengthen ties between the community and the base. During these meetings, three basic needs were identified: off-base opportunities for airmen, off-base housing needs for airmen and their families, and post-COVID-19 economic recovery for local businesses. Thus, the concept of Nevada County’s first annual “Military Appreciation Week” was born.
Military Appreciation Week is a collaborative effort with the Nevada County Consolidated Veterans Council, Beale AFB, Nevada County Board of Supervisors, The City of Grass Valley, local Chambers of Commerce (Grass Valley, Nevada City, Truckee, and Penn Valley), The Grass Valley Downtown Association, Sierra Harvest, The Nevada County Economic Resource Council, and The Union. The goal of the program is to assist with the economic recovery of local businesses and service providers while honoring all active-duty, reserve, and retired military members, veterans and Gold Star families in the County.
The event will take place each year from the Saturday before Veterans Day through the Sunday after (Saturday, November 6th - Sunday, November 14th this year). It will highlight Nevada County businesses who are offering discounts and other incentives to veterans during the week. Businesses can also offer ongoing discounts throughout the year.
Businesses may register their discounts and special offers to veterans and Gold Star parents by completing the Military Appreciation Business Application here: MyNevadaCounty.com/MilitaryAppreciation. All participating businesses will receive a window sticker and will be listed on the Nevada County Veterans Services Office webpage. Booklets for the community will also be printed and distributed.
For more information please email: militaryappreciation@co.nevada.ca.us.