Kat is the Director of the Nevada Department of Veterans Services, responsible for supporting the State Veterans Cemeteries, Veterans Homes, and Veterans Service Officer program.

Kat served 34 years in the United States Army. Beginning her career as soldier in the Woman’s Army Corps, she achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant before commissioning as a military police officer.

She has served around the world, to include Panama, Germany, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan; and commanded at company, battalion, and Army Command levels, earring the distinction as the longest serving brigade commander in modern Army history.

Kat’s three Pentagon tours included duty as the Commander of the Army Corrections Command, supervising six correctional facilities and developing policy for the detention of unlawful enemy combatants. After retiring, she taught bachelors and masters level college course at the University of Maryland and the University of Nevada, Reno until she was appointed by Governor Sandoval as Director.

Kat’s education includes a Master’s of Science degree from the U.S. Army War College and a Master’s of Public Administration from Roosevelt University in Chicago.

Speaking Topics

From Private to Colonel—and all the Bumps In Between

Never dreaming of a career in the military, Kat found herself following the promise of a college education into a life she never imagined; leading soldiers on 5 continents in both war and peace. Hear an inspiring—sometimes amusing, sometimes challenging—story of serving in the United States Army.

Celebrating the Legacy of America’s Women Warriors!

Take a walk through time as Kat highlights the history of women in the U.S. Military; from 1775 through today’s modern force. She will draw from her distinguished career to offer perspectives on the contribution of women warriors and why they are essential to the success of America’s military.

You Need America’s Veterans—More Than They Need you!

The media often portrays veterans as broken, dangerous, and unstable. While some veterans both need and deserve assistance, this inaccurate media portrayal prevents many from seeing Veterans for who they really are. Kat shares her experience as Neavda’s Director of Veterans Services to showcase the contributions of America’s Veterans and provide ideas about how you can support our military and veterans.

Dear Rotarians,

Also, on my list of speakers was a representative from Veteran’s services. I asked that the area of focus be on health-related issues. Taking care of those who take care of us by keeping us safe and preserving our freedom is the one responsibility that our government must take not just seriously, (that is a given,) but place its importance as a top priority.

Our club has long supported our active duty military through the Wetzel awards and has, during this year given financial support to the local USO. We are so fortunate to have so many veterans as club members, and we thank them for their service.

To quote from the Institute of Medicine, “The men and women in the United States armed forces confront health challenges of a scope and complexity that few other Americans ever experience. Active-duty personnel in combat directly face risks of injury or death. In addition, both combat forces and personnel serving away from the front lines may experience lengthy exposures to hazardous environments, either natural or produced by human activities. Chemical exposures, for example, may at times exceed those that would be considered safe in a civilian working environment. Beyond immediate physical threats, military personnel often must deal with the effects of being in high-intensity, stressful, and dangerous environments, sometimes for months or years at a time.”

There is a laundry list of physical ailments that can result from this excessive exposure. Most of us are aware of the cancers, coronary disease, diabetes, hypertension, chronic fatigue and so many more, but what about the mental issues? We hear about PTS, used to be known as PTSD, but therapists now do not wish to label this as a disorder. Therapists hesitate to use the description of mental illness. The preference is that is the result of a traumatic event or events. But what about veteran homelessness, drug abuse and suicide?

I am especially interested in the veteran homelessness. Why are our military veterans on the streets? Is it their choice or lack of opportunity? If it is a lack of opportunity, then the Federal government shoulders some of the burden.

Three weeks ago we heard Judith Pinkerton speak about her Music for Life program and how she delivered it to an Air Force Base in Alaska. Another member, Dr Michael Williams, works with Veterans through his skill with Transcendental Meditation. Alternative therapies, that are having some amazing results.

Is the Department of Veterans Affairs offering alternative therapies to our active duty and veterans? Members of the military, like civilians, increasingly are using dietary supplements. Although some supplements may provide benefits to health, others may compromise the readiness and performance of service members. The risks may be greatest for specific military populations, such as members of Special Forces units, who often endure harder tasks and harsher environments and therefore face heightened physiological demands.

These several potential health disciplines and many others I hope are being considered as additions to the standard medical practices. Many of us civilians practice a combination of both. Shouldn’t our military and veterans be offered both as well?

Additionally, first responders are also exposed to many of the same health challenges. They deserve our care and compassion as well.

Jackie Thornhill
President
Las Vegas Rotary Club

Val Hatley missed the Joker but doubled his bet with $10.

Toni Kern announced our club’s “Together We Read” program.

President Jackie presented our speaker Daniel Liles with our Share What You Can Award.

President Jackie and PE Richard Jost presented a check for $4,000 to Chris Palladino of Junior Achievement.

PP Michael Gordon gave us some wonderful info then led us in song.

PP Jim Kohl gave the invocation.

Kirk Alexander was our Sergeant At Arms.

Chantay Ben Shimon our Global Grants Scholar, expressed her appreciation for our club sponsoring her.

Bob Werner won the Lawry’s Bucks.

Bob Werner introduced a visiting Rotarian from Germany.

At President Jackie’s head table were Marie Walsh, John Ingeme and our speaker Daniel Liles.

Las Vegas Rotary Club Meeting:  Thursday, January 23, 2020

5 Guest of Rotarians introduced.

Special guest, Chantay Ben Shimon, the Global Grants Scholar sponsored by the Las Vegas Rotary Club and District 5300 was recognized and applauded.  

Daniel Liles was the 2011-2012 Ambassadorial Scholar to India which was sponsored by District 5240 in California. Thru his photography and comprehensive narrative, we were able to understand the many cultural differences and challenges he experienced as he set out to find and execute a meaningful Service Project.   He generously shared his personal growth from acknowledging cultural bias that he did not know existed to how the experience molded him and guided his career path and choices he makes even today. It was that experience that led him to Will Beckley and ultimately to our Club.

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