Editorial: Support our troops

Thursday, July 21, 2005 | 9:21 a.m.

The Nevada Patriot Fund began in Carson City during the 2003 Legislature. Lobbyist Joe Brown had the idea for the fund after reading newspaper accounts of two Nevadans killed in action on the same day. He shared his idea with legislators and others attending the session. A private fund for the families of the state's fallen troops would show how much the whole state supported our men and women in uniform.

Within an hour the fund had grown to $80,000. Before long individuals and businesses had built the fund up to $135,000. The fund's bylaws stipulated that $12,000 would go to widows and widowers who had children, and that $6,000 would go to the families of fallen troops who did not have children. Tragically, 17 Nevadans have now been killed in either Iraq or Afghanistan. As a result, the fund is running low on money.

Gov. Kenny Guinn has asked all Nevadans to contribute any amount of money they can afford to the fund. We support his call, as no one is more deserving of support than our troops who are each day risking their lives in the fight against this nation's enemies. Contributions may be sent to: Nevada Patriot Fund, Account No. 6655843909, Wells Fargo Bank, Reno NV 89508.