Veterans, Valor, and Vanishing Voices: A Veterans Day Reflection from Reno

As we pause this Veterans Day to honor the men and women who have worn the uniform — those who have put themselves in harm’s way and those who paid the ultimate price — we find ourselves reflecting not only on their sacrifice, but on what we, as a community, are doing with the freedoms they fought to protect.

And that brings us, strangely enough, to Veterans Memorial Elementary School in Reno.

While the Washoe County School Board prepares to reassign or “repurpose” the school, one has to wonder: why would a district even consider reassigning a school that honors our veterans — especially this week? There is a meeting to discuss the repurposing on November 12th at least they didn’t schedule the meeting on Veterans Day.

Veterans Memorial isn’t a forgotten facility. It’s a living neighborhood school, where parents walk their children to class each morning and meet them again in the afternoon. It’s a school with community heartbeat, not just square footage on a map.

So why target it?

The district says it’s about reorganization and efficiency. But beneath the official explanations, questions linger. The board is reportedly looking to sell off the most of the parking lot and all of the playground — roughly two-thirds of the property — to developers. One can’t help but wonder if the deal is already quietly stitched together. We also question has this school been targeted being just blocks away from trendy Midtown where people want to live, and the school trustees must be aware this school might have many undocumented parents so how can they make a stink — hopefully the property owners will

And where is Trustee Alex Woodley, a proud Marine veteran? If there were ever a moment to stand firm and say “no,” this would seem to be it.

But the silence from both the board and City Hall is deafening. The same city leaders who will wave from the Veterans Day Parade float today — smiling, waving, and speaking of honor and sacrifice — have also turned a blind eye to the erosion of the very principles those veterans fought for: accountability, integrity, and free speech.

Because let’s be honest — in Reno, questioning power comes with a price. Residents who challenge council decisions are mocked, dismissed, or publicly scolded. “Engagement” is encouraged only when it agrees with the official line. One councilmember will mock public speakers from the dais.

As flags wave and speeches echo through downtown, we should ask ourselves: How can a city mayor and council claim to honor its veterans while quietly erasing their names from our schools and silencing the voices of its citizens?

This Veterans Day, let’s remember patriotism isn’t about parades or photo ops. It’s about courage — the courage to protect not just our borders, but our principles. The same courage to stand up and speak out, even when those in power would rather, we didn’t.

So, no matter how the mayor and councilmembers mock you, question you, belittle you, accuse you of doxing, don’t let them win by silencing your voice, because if freedom of speech and civic responsibility fade into silence, then those floats we see rolling down Virginia Street aren’t celebrating service — they’re just running on empty.