Credit Union donates $1,000 to VA Women Veteran's Color Guard

The VA Women Veterans Color Guard has received a gift of $1,000 from United Federal Credit Union of Reno, Nevada. The funds will help the group with uniforms, equipment, recruitment and operations materials, and traveling expenses. The all-female, all-volunteer group is completely dependent on donations for funding.

"We formed the Color Guard because its important to give back to those who have served and are currently serving in the military," said VA Women Veterans Color Guard Director Dr. Mary L. Sedgwick. "It is an honor to be in the Color Guard and we strive to be positive role models for youth and the community. We are proud of our veterans and we support and recognize them for their service to our country." The women veterans in the Color Guard represent the VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System in northern Nevada. These women veterans proudly served from the Vietnam War through Desert Storm to the present, and represent veterans from all branches of service. The group currently has eight members, ranging in age from 40 to 65, and they are busy recruiting for more members to join. The only requirement is that members have to be women veterans. "United Federal Credit Union is proud to support this group of women who volunteer their time to recognize our veterans," said UFCU Bible Way Branch Manager John Ahdunko. "We know our donation goes a long way to touch a lot of people in the community." Duties throughout the year for the Color Guard include quarterly flag raising ceremonies, quarterly remembrances services for veterans who passed away at the VA hospital, and presenting Colors in the annual Memorial Day ceremony and annual Nevada Women Veterans Health Summit. They also march in the Reno Veterans Day Parade and the Nevada Day Parade in Carson City. Sedgwick said it is awe inspiring when people stand up and salute them and thank them for their service along the two to three mile parade routes.