By Brett Fisher

  • Photos by Brett Fisher. A veteran with his service cat Wednesday on the Capitol Plaza.
    Photos by Brett Fisher. A veteran with his service cat Wednesday on the Capitol Plaza.
  • A service dog trainer teaches children the importance of working dogs.
    A service dog trainer teaches children the importance of working dogs.
  • Children listen to a Vietnam War veteran Wednesday on the Capitol Plaza.
    Children listen to a Vietnam War veteran Wednesday on the Capitol Plaza.
  • Veterans talk with representatives from the Reno Vet Center's Mobile Vet Center.
    Veterans talk with representatives from the Reno Vet Center’s Mobile Vet Center.
  • A veteran exhibitor on the Capitol Plaza Wednesday.
    A veteran exhibitor on the Capitol Plaza Wednesday.
  • Exhibitors on the Capitol Plaza.
    Exhibitors on the Capitol Plaza.
  • Exhibitors on the Capitol Plaza.
    Exhibitors on the Capitol Plaza.
  • Carson High's NJROTC cadets eat lunch on the Capitol Plaza.
    Carson High’s NJROTC cadets eat lunch on the Capitol Plaza.
  • Honor Flight Nevada was among the exhibitors Wednesday on the Capitol Plaza.
    Honor Flight Nevada was among the exhibitors Wednesday on the Capitol Plaza.
  • Military personnel serve lunch to a veteran Wednesday on the Capitol Plaza.
    Military personnel serve lunch to a veteran Wednesday on the Capitol Plaza.
  • A military veteran's service dog rests on the grass Wednesday at the State Capitol.
    A military veteran’s service dog rests on the grass Wednesday at the State Capitol.

The 2017 Nevada State Legislature set aside a day to honor active duty military service men and women as well as veterans Wednesday.

The Capitol Plaza was alive with exhibitors and military displays, while inside the Legislature lawmakers passed resolutions and proclamations recognizing the special day.

Bills important to the needs of military personnel and veterans were also considered or voted on Wednesday in the Assembly and Senate.

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval presiding over the morning’s opening ceremony in front of the Nevada Veterans Memorial behind the State Capitol. The ceremony recognized former U.S. Marine and Vietnam War veteran John Louritt, the state’s selected Veteran of the Month, as well as Honor Flight Nevada, the Veteran Supporter of the Month.

Highly decorated veteran Richard Moyer was also awarded the Bronze Star with a “V” device for Valor 30 years following his heroic acts on the battlefield in Vietnam at Wednesday morning’s ceremony.

Active duty military, veterans and their families were treated to a free barbecue lunch on the plaza, too.