Memorial Day is Every Day for Reverend Robert Miller 5/22/08
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 05/22/2008 - 13:53.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
|
Contact: |
Dianemarie Collins |
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Memorial Day is Every Day for Reverend Robert Miller
2008 Nevada National Service Award Winner
Las Vegas, Nev.- Memorial Day is set aside to remember those that gave of themselves for our freedom. Reverend Robert Miller remembers them all year long. According to Rev. Miller, among the many volunteer duties he performs, the most important one is making sure that all veterans, even those that can't afford it, have a burial with honor. Miller recently honored with Nevada 's National Service Award for Retired & Senior Volunteer Program's (RSVP) participant of the year doesn't think he's special. "I did not become a volunteer to receive awards," Miller said at the award ceremony held at the Governor's Mansion on May 12, 2008 . "I became a volunteer to help build my community." According to Steve Sawchuk, treasurer for Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 17, Miller has been officiating veterans' funerals in Las Vegas more than four years. "Bob began performing services for our indigent veterans back in Detroit more than 26 years ago," Sawchuk said. "If you have ever attended one, it will bring a lump to your throat and a tear to your eye. The whole service, flag pole presentation, taps ... everything is provided ... usually to an empty church. Only we are there." Sawchuk stated that a lot of people don't realize just how many veterans there are who need this service. "On Thursday, May 22, 2008 , Bob will be officiating six funerals," Sawchuk added. "Sometimes a family member does show up and we stop and have a private service just for them and their loved one. We try to make it as special as we can. They all deserve that." Besides officiating funerals for veterans, Miller also volunteers at the MacCarran Airport with the Traveler's Aid providing weary travelers with anything from directions to bus tickets to hotels when their luggage is lost. "Traveler's Aid is part of the RSVP (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program) managed by the Catholic Charities," Wes Davis, program director for Catholic Charities explained recently. "Bob is incredible with his energy and kindness. Just last Tuesday he assisted more than 350 individuals that need help at the airport." As an Army veteran himself, Miller is committed to never letting any veteran miss having a veteran's funeral. "Anybody can end up homeless due to things that happen in life," Miller said. I feel every veteran deserves to be buried with dignity.""I volunteer between 30 to 40 hours each week for either the Traveler's Aid with the Catholic Charities or Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 17," Miller adds. "I am proud of the work I do and I am glad I am able to do it."
About Nevada Volunteers: Nevada Volunteers creates countless opportunities to inspire, teach, train and recognize individuals, organizations, and businesses across Nevada to develop a legacy of service and citizenship. The Nevada Volunteers is the Governor's Commission that administers AmeriCorps programs statewide and hosts the annual Governor's Points of Light award. Since 1998, over 1,100 AmeriCorps members have served throughout Nevada recruiting more than 14,000 volunteers who donated over 97,000 hours of service to local communities. The Website www.NevadaVolunteers.org eventually will become a single source for Nevadans to go statewide for volunteering opportunities. Those interested in determining how they can participate should subscribe for e-mail updates at the Nevada Volunteers website, www.NevadaVolunteers.org.
###
Photos available for this release:
First Lady Dawn Gibbons, left, Rev. Robert Miller, center, Stephanie Wrightsman
To view photos, go to www.enr-corp.com/pressroom and enter Release ID: 149623
