Carson City’s Ron Gutzman honored as Nevada Veteran of the Month

Carson City’s Ron Gutzman was honored Thursday at the Legislative Building as the Nevada Veteran of the Month.

Gutzman, a combat Marine serving three years in the Korean War, has spent his post-war years representing Nevada veterans service organizations in Nevada, his adopted home. He’s a familiar and respected face in government offices in Northern Nevada, as well as inside the nation’s Capitol.

Gutzman represents the interests of a close veterans community with 10 of 25 years in the American Legion as Legion representative to the Nevada Veterans Services Commission, and as a member of Capitol Post 4 in Carson City, helping veterans and their families. He’s an active, 25-year member of Chapter 7 of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and today serves as its Legislative Chairman. He’s also a 20-year member of the Marine Corps League, serving as Commandant and Legislative Chair.

With legislative issues serving not only veterans but active military, Gutzman, a South Dakota native and Glenview, Ill., transplant, works to develop and support legislative priorities for the Nevada National Guard and active military during the Nevada State Legislative Sessions. Today, his legislative focus is as a member of Nevada’s United Veterans Legislative Council, an advocacy coalition focused on enhancing military and veterans’ status across the Silver State.

“For many years (Ron) through meetings with our Congressional delegation discussed priorities for our military and National Guard and has participated in many welcome home activities of deployed and active military and NNG personnel in Fallon and Reno,” said John Warden, who nominated Gutzman for Nevada’s honor.

As engaged as Gutzman is with fellow veterans, he also volunteers in his civilian community through membership in the Lutheran Family Church in Carson City, as President of the Church Council, leadership in and involvement with the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program, the American Legions’ High School Oratorical Contest, Nevada Boys and Nevada Girls State, local Jr. ROTC programs at Carson and Douglas High Schools and Middle School Citizenship school awards.