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Veteran's Affairs Plus discusses the issues that veterans in Las Vegas deal with on a daily basis. Your host, David L. Washington connects listeners with relevant community resources and information that they need to help veterans or themselves.
Unknown Speaker 0:00
You're listening to locally produced programming created in KU NBC Studios on public radio K, u and v 91.5. You're listening to special programming sponsored by making moves life coaching services. The content of this program does not reflect the views or opinions of 91.5 Jazz and more the University of Nevada Las Vegas or the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education.
Unknown Speaker 0:41
You can see what's going on what's going on? What's going on? Good morning, Las Vegas. This is Veterans Affairs plus on 91.5, jazz and more. I'm excited about the fact that I got three wonderful people here that are members of the Sierra snow gliders. In fact, we'll hear more about that in just a moment. They're having their annual fundraising. And also like to congratulate my daughter, granddaughter, I forget which one we got 11 of them. Yeah. Oh, she's graduating. Today. Today. December 2. Alabama State. Yes. She is graduating with a Bachelor degree in something. So we're proud of her. Congrats to Mr. And Mrs. Avery Campbell. They will be marrying today later. So just want to express our happiness for them and hope they have a long life together. My sister Alma, it is her birthday today December 2. She is I know she don't want me to tell you. So I won't, and certainly want to express condolences to former President Jimmy Carter on the loss of his wife, Rosalyn Carter, she was a great humanitarian, and one who was a trade trailblazer in mental health. So we certainly want to acknowledge that to the family of my friend and colleague and longtime golfing buddy buddy, Don Hamilton transition this week, Don was a great man. And he's been a guest on his show as a retired Air Force person to his sister Linda, who said that Don's memorial will be held early in January. So we'll keep everybody posted on that. Yesterday was the home going of Sammy Armstrong. He was a great man from Arkansas, believe it or not. And Sam came here as a young man in Las Vegas, and he really took the city own by storm. So we appreciate and hope that God will be pleased with the many achievements that Sam accomplished while here in our community. On another note, sad note, recently, we lost brother, Leonard lad firefighter has mech tech. And these are some remarks that I had planned to say at the service. So, you know, with with radio and technology, you get to do some things, fancier friends, and then her sister, Miss Carolyn. So I want to say this, this, these are remarks that I didn't get a chance to totally complete due to time constraints. I thank Linda certainly for the opportunity to share a few words about my friend and my colleague, Linda and I met I think through Monroe Williams and I remember vividly re recruiting him which I did get to see at the service. I knew that Leonard had great character, a man of integrity. So this kind of guy you want on your side in terms of fighting fire. So I did go and recruit went by US House knock, don't call me and let's go. He said okay, you know how Linna coo sheepish easygoing. He said, All right, man, I'm gonna go and apply. He applied and of course got in. And I mentioned that because it's important for folks to know that has met tick understand that when five being before firefighters go into some situations, the hazmat techs go in prior to. And one of the things that I brought up now, which is really ad libbing, but I think it's important for those firefighters who are out there to say, You know what, we're going to take this on because laws pass off and change all the time. Initially, when firefighters got out, they get contracted cancer. Five years did it became 10 years 2019 A law was passing forever. So they didn't do retroactive wrong because it's it's about money. But damn it to me money should mean nothing when somebody's put their life on the line. So I've been encouraging those people who I do know, that are still in the business. They have the ear of elected officials, so I'm encouraging them. Let's go fight. If y'all need two people to fight I know some folks wants to hear snow guy. They'll join the battle. So that's it. I just think whether we get anything done or not Carolyn and Carolyn, Ron, we still must make an effort. So I'm gonna be pushing that. Absolutely. I also want to say that Lennar was the second president of our professional black Firefighters Association. And to that vein, I mentioned that the service that those guys, particularly the black ones, and the women, in fact, should be appreciative of Leonard. And I hope they did get an opt in and say, Hey, man, thank you, because we had a 14 point agreement with the city. And one was recruitment and retention of black firefighters, to we want an office candidate school that offers Candidate School, believe it or not, that was good for everybody. And then the final thing, and again, I'm just mentioning just a few. And the other one was an equitable, disciplinary process, because they were just all over the board. Some people get in trouble, go wash the dishes. And guess who most of them was washing dishes, their friends, the rest of us are getting written up. So the point is, Leonard did a lot to to keep that going. And I want to make sure that everybody knows that. And finally, I had my bed shrouded. And when you were sprouted beds, that means that they died in the line of duty or something from their duty experience. And I did that, because linor was not considered line of duty. But but the point that I wanted to make to people that he died, of, of some something that came from his work, and if we don't fight, it's just going to be pushed by the wayside. So I'm putting it out there anybody out there that knew that brother, and particularly if you have firefighters, you're in a position to help us we want some help. So the next thing I want to talk about, Oh, I gotta mention, the Elio ranch. My grandkid. In fact, I was telling the guys, we went by the house that my second eldest grandson, he was about eight, Chris Chris. We went out and rode the horse who Chris got up on. I think it was cuantas on what's the what's the word a woman that the female horse she was crazy. Chris's honor. He bucked her all bucked him off. And Chris was on the ground. He was getting up. And he he looked at literally say, does that make me a cowboy? Now? You know, let us say yeah, man you have. So again, those are just some things that I that I remember from this brother that was so overwhelming about his appreciation to deal with young people now. Along with the Sierra snow bladders, Gene, and Leonard. And I know you guys were involved. We had there was a group of young folks that we started with it, called Camp brotherhood ultimately became camp brotherhood sisterhood. Well, I don't ski don't want to ski to this day. But we said, well, you guys have a Sam was one of the first ones to bring them up on a bus. And you guys all helped us. The only thing that I recall is they didn't know how to stop, but it didn't take them long. And these kids, these kids just ski like crazy. I'm like, wow, look at us March March, they let them let them have fun. And let him do that. But Linnet always took his time. And he was patient with these young folks. Let us keep Linares legacy alive. And I'll never forget that million dollar smile that he always you know, threw on you. So I hope God was pleased with the work that litter did through you guys and others because I know he was extremely one of the most extremely talented people that I know, I'm talking about from auto mechanics to carpentry. Linda could do it. And of course, if Jean gets on the line today, we will talk a little bit about that hunting prowess that they had they would do that often I know annually at best. So with that this is Veterans Affairs plus 190 1.5, jazz and more. On the other side, we will have Ron Carolyn Reedham and Miss Carolyn Haywood Leonard sister. And we're going to talk about the Sierra snow lattice as well as have some thoughts about Linda because I know at the service, which was a great service. Everybody couldn't speak. And I got I think 45 to 50 seconds of my I was hoping to get two minutes but with that we'll be back in just a moment.
Unknown Speaker 9:25
Once again, this is Veterans Affairs plus on 91.5 Jazz and more. I really had a lot to say about our friend and colleague brother Leonard lead. Now it's time for those members of the Sierra snow Gladys to speak. Carolyn, I'm gonna start with you, your sister in what's your role with the Sierra so glad? I'm
Unknown Speaker 9:46
the president. Okay. And I'll be president until 2024. September the 30th.
Unknown Speaker 9:57
So is it is it a one year two year what is is
Unknown Speaker 10:00
a two year two year turn? Yes.
Unknown Speaker 10:02
So, tell us a little bit about the club. When did you guys start, in fact?
Unknown Speaker 10:06
Well, I'm gonna let Carolyn give you statistics on that. Okay. All right.
Unknown Speaker 10:11
We well the Sierra snow gyres is a chapter of the National brotherhood of skiers, the National brotherhood of skiers, was organized. We celebrated our 50th anniversary in bail in February of last year. So we it's the largest, actually, it's the largest ski organization in the world. And it's all black. Well, 99 point something. But, and, and our chapter started in 1991, and the CEO of snow gliders, and you know, our mission is to engage underprivileged children who would not ordinarily have the opportunity to participate in winter sports. We take them skiing, and we provide everything we provide the the lift tickets, transportation, meals, close, close. And, and we tried to at least three or four trips a year, and we've been doing this for many years, and the children love it. We this year, we established a partnership with the Housing Authority, the Southern Nevada Housing Authority. We were just awarded a grant of $5,000. Excellent to take the children from Ward five Ward five. Yes. And so our first trip is going to be on January 6. Excellent. Yeah. So to me Canyon, yeah, we're gonna go to Lee Canyon on January 6, and then we'll do two trips to Lee Canyon and the trip to Brian head. Okay. So
Unknown Speaker 12:01
wrong. Let's see a little bit from you on the road with the with the club and also hit a little bit on brother Leonard lay.
Unknown Speaker 12:08
I'm mainly a participant for the CRS no Gladys, I was the I am one of the original members of the CRS no Glanders. myself or Art Williams, Carolyn Reedham. And we participated in the various events. The original Skeet, the National Brotherhood is the first chapter was established in Detroit, and then eventually is spread at West for as Leonard Leonard law will. Leonard was a character he was an adventurous person. He visited participating in hunting just about all the all the sports. I remember the time when the Leonard lad was, you know, skiing, and he named the group Weaver's about five or six or seven of the the guys were skiing, and he named the group or the posse. So he has a posse for his a horseman adventurous spirit. So we was we were skiing in the in the trees, I'm all for hills and jump into stuff like that. Well, he was a full of adventures. You know, I
Unknown Speaker 13:41
remember seeing a kid on the scene Linna one time and you know, bragging about his skiing prowess. And then I see him about two months later, he was on some crutches. I said, Leonard, what's up, man? He said, Well, man treating Geralyn add to what we're talking about in terms of just the club itself and your brother. Well,
Unknown Speaker 14:04
I want to say a little bit about my brother. For skiing, I'm actually responsible for linear getting into the ski started to ski. Oh, really? Yeah. When I moved back to Vegas back in 1979. I immediately started taking ski lessons up elite Canyon because some always wanted to do so. I was telling them I said Linda, you need to take some lessons are older sisters take taking lessons up in Oakland. And you should too. It's a lot of fun. And then I see it started telling him about all the black ski clubs up in the Bay Area, and that they travel all over the United States to these summits. And it's just really something you really want to do. So finally he agreed you say okay, I'll take some lessons. So he went out and bought some skis, okay. He bought some antique skis are He must have went to the goodwill. He went to the auction. That's he love going to auction. So he bought these antique skis. And so everybody teased him about him, you know about it, get some real ski. But anyway, let it learn to ski on those antique skis. And eventually he went, got him some high performance skis, and he never looked back after that he was the beginning of the posse. Oh,
Unknown Speaker 15:32
that's cool. So Carolyn, tell us a little bit about some of those excursions abroad. Because I know you guys
Unknown Speaker 15:37
Yeah, we, you know what we travel all over, actually all over the world skiing. The NBS? How many clubs are are there? There's, like maybe 5060 chapters? Yes. All all over not just in United States, England, we have a chapter in in Canada, we have a chapter in Jamaica. And we have a summit every year. I think we've skied Oh, I cannot tell you how many different locations every major ski resort. You've been in the country. We've been there. But we've also been to Austria. We've skied in Canada, New Zealand, and then all of the major ski resorts in the United States. So and it's just, it's just a great, great sport. And especially when you're skiing with other African Americans, that's what makes it so wonderful. Now,
Unknown Speaker 16:32
Rod, did you did you and Carolyn start at the same time
Unknown Speaker 16:36
that I started four before. Carolyn, my wife was, was skiing. I was, I was at Lee Canyon, I was single at this time. The my roommate and I went up to Lee Canyon, and I was you know, observing the winter, observing the skiers, the little kids coming down. I said, You know what, I can do this, I can do this, I should be able to do this. And I immediately came down. And I said I was gonna go back up next week. And I went up the next week, four hours. And you know, I had a lesson, and I did pretty well. And then I was hooked, hooked. And eventually my wife, we married about a year and two years later, I will come out and do whatever.
Unknown Speaker 17:39
She erupts anyway.
Unknown Speaker 17:43
on my, on our second date, Ron took me skiing up to new canyon, right? And so and he did, he was doing really well to say it only been up there a couple of times. And so and I liked it. And, and he at the end of when we finished at the end of the day, he said you had to do like I said it was okay. He said, Well, look, if you're gonna hang out with me, you're gonna have to learn how to see. He said, Because I'm gonna be skiing. So I said, Okay. And I learned how to ski too. But it's a great sport. It really is. Now, you know,
Unknown Speaker 18:18
it's an expensive sport, though. And I know you say that you guys provide clothing, etc, etc. For for those students who want to participate? Yes,
Unknown Speaker 18:26
we do. It is expensive. But when you get group rates, it brings the price down. That's how we travel. We travel in big groups. And so we get pretty good rates. Where we go, excellent. So
Unknown Speaker 18:41
so how could one who may be interested? Touch base get in contact you get you as I assume you have a website? We do have a website?
Unknown Speaker 18:50
It says here is no gliders.com.
Unknown Speaker 18:53
That's pretty simple. Yes. For those of you out there who got a little bit more courage than me. I think it's it's wonderful that you guys have a goal, as we do with the what's called Valley View golf club. We try to get young people involved. In fact the club is is it's on a down slide to me, because at one point at 72 Now I was one of the youngest ones. That is Jabali. Smith in here as a junior bill. There. I think Jabali may be 40 Junior probably he's in his maybe late 40s, early 50s. But the bottom line is in these sports, we must encourage our young people to get involved because there's opportunities for what is it? What's the big the big sporting event that's every four years? Where's my mind going? Blake, we talked about that earlier. The Olympics Olympics, you know what I'm seeing your mom was but our children once they learn something they can develop and they can grow and blossom, Victor.
Unknown Speaker 19:47
Well, you know what I? One of the goals of the national brotherhood of skiers is to get African Americans on the Olympic team. And so we're we're close to doing that right Yes, we have a NBS team that the train at various resorts, some of the resorts adopt our children, and they give them grants and they teach them how to become professional skiers Excellent. And competitive skill competitive.
Unknown Speaker 20:18
And they, you know, we've made a lot of progress in this area. And, you know, the the national butter brotherhood of skiers, we were on NBC Nightly News. And, you know, they did a wonderful feature on our organization, and how we're involving kids and recruiting kids. And I want to say if you know, to your listeners today, if you have children that you think that may enjoy skiing, because that's one of the things that we do. That's one of the major things that we do. And we provide everything great ski lessons, rentals, equipments, lift tickets, transportation, meals, clothes, so all they have to do is show up, right? So yes,
Unknown Speaker 21:08
you know how important it is because again, when we start a camp brotherhood camp sisterhood, I was telling one of the founders along with myself, and at the time counseling Lawrence weekly, we send up a list of things that the children should have when he come and b2c Yeah, okay. He said, Watch. Now, they already know what's gonna be possibly 40 to 50 degrees up at now, Charles, they come with shorts, and a T shirt on. And Beatle because I asked him when you got all this extra stuff, man. He said, you'll see in a minute. They just send them in. But but But it's great that you guys do I will say now I know you got a fundraiser coming up. So we need to touch upon it because we need to pack it out and help the raise some dollars. As you guys continue to help young people. The
Unknown Speaker 21:54
fundraiser is going to be on December 9. At classic shoe, and it's only $25. But it is the purpose is to raise funds so that we can continue to involve our kids in this program. Great school. And it's from six to 10, six to two classic Jew on December 9 is our holiday party. Right. And last year was fantastic.
Unknown Speaker 22:26
Yeah, we stopped through in fact, me and Marcia got another gathering with the labor group. They do. They've been doing this every year. So we got two stops and make us you know, what you guys are doing is so important. And I think that the sports such as golf, as well as ski, they're very expensive, and you got to find people that's willing to help our children. Those of us out there, again, to our listening audience, I don't ski don't want to ski. But I will be making a contribution because we got to get our kids involved in other things than basketball, football.
Unknown Speaker 22:59
That's, and I want to give another shout out shout shout out to the Southern Nevada Housing Authority. They've been they've partnered with us, and they've been fantastic in terms of identifying children, and also, you know, writing grants with us so that we can, you know, and I just mentioned we were awarded a grant for $5,000. So they were very active in in in helping us with this grant.
Unknown Speaker 23:29
Excellent. Now Ron, do you do you actually do any teaching or you just go up and look cool, and we're all in close. The one thing I'll say about your skills, your wisdom there Patty, but if you want I
Unknown Speaker 23:41
do wear the the outfit so popular outfits. i We I taught my my, the my son for skiing and my my son and my daughter at an early age child put it was 455 years old, five years old, and I'm willing to participate in teaching other other kids that come on the mountain. January 6. All right. I'm looking forward to it
Unknown Speaker 24:15
January 6, oh, they're gonna have their next outing for for the young folks. We're in good shape. West keeps me on point. We got five minutes y'all, so we got to wrap it up yet. So Quaker,
Unknown Speaker 24:30
I was just gonna say if you're interested, Sara snow goddess.com It has lots of information and everything you need to know about the organization.
Unknown Speaker 24:39
Okay. Geralyn You got any added words you would like to because again, as we were gonna be preparing to shut things down here shortly. So if you got some closing remarks, you want to share it with us, please do. Well, Madam President.
Unknown Speaker 24:54
I wanted to share a little bit more about my brother. He was a very He, he was very adventurous. And love, love, love everybody and everybody loved him. So, but he was a big help when we would take the kids up on the mountain, he would be right there helping to give them instructions. So we're gonna miss him
Unknown Speaker 25:19
too much. Yeah. Well, again, Linda was such an outstanding person. And again, it's about character and Leonard had solid character because some guys you know, they're so wishy washy that you go like give me a break, man. What are you talking about? You know, I
Unknown Speaker 25:34
would like to say that. In addition to skiing, the club halves. The Sierra snow guys have many activities. We are active in the summer. On the spring. We just participating in a trip to Jamaica the grill Jamaica and Punta Cana. So it's a it's a year year round like activities through your
Unknown Speaker 26:03
point, Ron, I remember. And Marsha don't like water. So I got to go by myself. Oh, when y'all went out to like me, Lord. How's go? A houseboat trip. Bonnie. Janelle, I hope you listen to this show. But I didn't want that buddy. Just Oh, what happened? Drinking too much wine. But anyway. No, though. You guys have some wonderful outings and I recall going a number of times out to like me. I had all them house boats and big RVs all over the place, man. But one thing I will say about the CRS no Gladys from my vantage point, y'all know how to have fun and live life. So we know Leonard had a rich and one of our friends, right? Oh, man, literally had all these toys. He didn't get to ask me. You don't know. You don't know what you're talking about. Linear was always going it was always out of the country, out of the city out of the state. He lived a great life and nobody wants to see anybody go man. But I think Leonard, he filled it up. You know, he did so much for young people. Because that encouragement for young people is extremely important. I don't care what what it is in life if you can encourage young people. You're doing a great job Carol, you got something you look like you know.
Unknown Speaker 27:18
You got Cisely I just agree with you. And you know what, and I would skate with the guys and Leonard and Ron and they were all experts Carolyn hey what to what
Unknown Speaker 27:31
was the thing that you got kind of out back I forget what it's called. Then y'all do some of that where you go out in this other area just kind of like off limits the
Unknown Speaker 27:39
bowls and then the the bowls and Outback and yeah, and then tree trees.
Unknown Speaker 27:46
Yeah, I got off the beaten path because I know they have a certain what do you call it? Boundary sound run. It's like a runway but y'all was going outside of it sometimes late
Unknown Speaker 27:56
stream those
Unknown Speaker 27:59
extreme? Yeah, yeah. No,
Unknown Speaker 28:01
I'm a cruiser. Oh, you're too
Unknown Speaker 28:05
extreme is when you go out off the the rate the street track
Unknown Speaker 28:08
paid for Black Diamond all the time. Well,
Unknown Speaker 28:13
I know some of you guys out there in our listening audience, you veterans and others who listen to the show. We'll understand some of that terminology. Because I show don't mean, and you know what, just only to have a decent conversation Am I willing to learn other words, but skiing once again, I know y'all don't want to hear but I'm telling you one more time. I mean, Marcia has no interest. We love you like a sister. But we you know what? We haven't been a member of the club since 2005 Or six was my godmother passed away in Detroit. Marsha and I went back didn't had him goulash. His feet got wet. Marsha was sick for like six weeks. I was sick for about three weeks. And we only want to hit a song. I'm dreaming of a white Christmas. No, I'm not. And we just we never we never got back involved with the clue.
Unknown Speaker 29:01
Well, we have a lot of people that come along just for the party. Right? Right. That's for the atmosphere, the ambiance. It's wonderful. All right, well,
Unknown Speaker 29:10
we appreciate you guys. He's given me the the wrap up. So give that website again, if
Unknown Speaker 29:15
you would. CRS know gladys.com And the party is when? For December night 69 A classic Jew down on Bonneville. All
Unknown Speaker 29:25
right, Las Vegas. This is Veterans Affairs plus on 91.5, jazz and more, and three wonderful guests and we'll talk to you soon
Transcribed by https://otter.ai