The Town of Gardnerville has been selected as the preferred location for a national monument honoring World War II service members of Basque descent. The North American Basque Organization (N.A.B.O.) announced Gardnerville’s selection during its February 13 meeting in San Francisco. The monument is planned for a prominent site at Heritage Park, chosen over competing locations in Idaho, California, and Nevada.
Jean Flesher, president of N.A.B.O., said Gardnerville’s strong Basque heritage and long-standing relationship with the Basque community made it an ideal choice. The town’s historic ties to the region’s sheep industry are evident in its Basque heritage, especially in the local restaurants. Gardnerville is also home to three highly decorated WWII servicemen of Basque descent—the Etchemendy brothers.
“The choice of Gardnerville is deeply meaningful,” Flesher said. “It’s a place where Basque culture has thrived for generations, and where my own family’s story began. Having the monument here connects our history, our service, and our families in a powerful way. We’re proud that this tribute will stand in a town that continues to honor the contributions of the Basque people.”
To date, more than 2,150 WWII service members of Basque descent have been identified across thirty states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Nevada accounts for 311 of them—trailing only California and Idaho with 869 and 329, respectively. The National Basque WWII Veterans’ Memorial will be the first monument in the United States dedicated exclusively to honoring veterans of Basque ancestry who served during the war.
Gardnerville’s Basque roots remain active through the Mendiko Euskaldun Cluba. The club has roughly 300 members and hosts annual festivals that draw participants from across the West. The club also celebrates Basque music, sports, food, and culture, keeping traditions alive for the community.
Constructed in its current form in 2003, Heritage Park serves as a centerpiece for town and community events. The north side of the park features a pavilion for public gatherings, while the south side is reserved for memorial installations. The planned monument will occupy approximately 450 square feet and bear the names of all identified Basque WWII service members.
“This memorial ensures that the legacy of these service members will never be forgotten,” said Town Manager Erik Nilssen. “For generations, Gardnerville has celebrated its Basque roots, and this monument adds another meaningful chapter to that history. The Town is honored to serve as the caretaker of such an important symbol of sacrifice and heritage, and we will treat it with the utmost respect and reverence.”
The Gardnerville Town Board will review the monument’s conceptual design and proposed placement during its April 7 meeting. N.A.B.O. aims to complete and dedicate the memorial by December 2026—the 85th anniversary of the United States’ entry into World War II.
N.A.B.O. is seeking tax-deductible donations to reach its $500,000 fundraising goal. For more information, visit nabasque.eus/wwii_memorial.
Photo Captions
Photo 1: N.A.B.O. Winter Meeting Announcement in San Francisco (L to R: Pedro J. Oiarzabal, Mayi Berterretche Petracek – N.A.B.O. Treasurer, and Becky Sarratea Murphy – President of the Mendiko Euskaldun Kluba).
Photo 2: Conceptual design of the National Basque WWII Veterans’ Memorial.
About Douglas County, Nevada
Douglas County, Nevada, a community to match the scenery, is centrally located just 15 minutes south of Nevada’s state capital and borders Lake Tahoe. Located on Nevada’s western border, the community is framed by the Carson Range of the Sierra Nevada to the west and the Pine Nut Mountains to the east. The community offers miles of open space, expansive ranches and farms, many historical sites and displays, along with numerous outdoor recreation activities. Douglas County is the fifth most populated county in Nevada with approximately 48,000 residents and seasonal populations that can exceed 65,000, due to its proximity to Reno, Carson City and northern California. Douglas County is governed by a five-member elected Board of Commissioners. The County is comprised of ten functional areas – general government, judicial, public safety, public works, sanitation, health, welfare, cultural and recreation, community support and utilities. For more information, visit Douglas County online at DouglasCountyNV.gov.
