Sergeant a key inauguration planner

Dick Benoit

Thursday, Jan. 25, 2001 | 10:23 a.m.

Gene Varhegyi of Las Vegas can take some individual pride in the inaugural ceremonies in Washington Saturday. His son, Air Force Tech. Sgt. James Varhegyi, was one of several members of the military's Armed Forces Inaugural Committee that set in place everything from parade routes and event sites to special communications and computer networks.

Varhegyi, a still-photography editor for the Air Force, was responsible for planning the military's digital photography for the parade, the inaugural ceremony, concerts and several of the more than 15 inaugural balls.

"My biggest challenge," the sergeant said, "was setting up our infrastructure and systems. This is the first time that the committee's visual information office shot all events in a digital format."

Members of the committee were all volunteers from the various services.

"I volunteered because it was an opportunity to be part of a historic occasion," Varhegyi said.

Reserves committee

Attorney Ted Marshall, state chairman for the Nevada Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, says he is looking for volunteers for the committee. Marshall, who served as executive director for the organization for many years and as state chairman for the past eight years, says he is looking forward to emeritus status beginning next fall and is seeking new blood for the organization at all levels.

"The perfect volunteer for the state chair position is a business owner or senior executive who shares our belief in a strong defense for America. That person would also have an understanding of what the Department of Defense calls the 'Total Force' active duty and reserve components of the military services and a belief that civilian employers must take an active and positive role in the participation of their reservist employees." Marshall said.

"We are also looking for citizens from all sectors with a knowledge and appreciation of the commitment and sacrifices reservists make," he said.

For more information, call Marshall at 384-7162.

In brief