LVR3 Veterans Enjoy Early Thanksgiving at Leatherneck Club

NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Thanksgiving came early for Veterans at the Leatherneck Club in Las Vegas. Members of the Las Vegas VA Residential Recovery and Renewal Center (LVR3) were invited to special Thanksgiving lunch, Nov. 17. The VFW Post 12198 partnered with the Leatherneck Club to provide a holiday meal to Veterans.
“We have a lot of people who are looking for some place to belong,” said Thomas “Ghost” Martin, owner of the Leatherneck Club. “Within five minutes of sitting next to someone you are no longer a stranger here.”

There’s a kindred connection among Veterans, as they have shared experiences from basic training to deployments, duty locations, and more. “This club was established specifically to take care of Veterans,” Ghost explained. “We have the ability to reach out to all Veterans, whether it’s an event like today or whether it’s just socializing.”

Meals were cooked and served by the Leatherneck Club staff, but VFW Post 12198 provided the meal, which included turkey, ham, and all the fixings of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

“This is our third year here with Ghost and the Leatherneck. Every year we serve all of the outpatients and have unrestrictive meals.” said Richard “Tony” Marshall, Adjutant for VFW Post 12198. “We’re expecting between 50 to 75 Veterans for this year’s Thanksgiving.”
Tony added that, as a former patient at the VA hospital, he thought it would be nice to have Veterans out in public to see what other Veterans are doing on a positive note. 

Throughout their military service, Veterans spend a lot of time away from their families during the holidays. “It reminds me of the comradery when I was deployed away from my family,” said Mark Blum, a Veteran in the LVR3 program. “It makes us tighter and more family-like.”

“I see Veterans who are experiencing a sense of community, independence, and autonomy when they step outside of the treatment cycle,” said Alexandria Marshall, occupational therapist for the LVR3 program. “Thanksgiving and the holidays are times when connecting with others matters. It’s so important for their ongoing treatment.”

The attendees were from the VA’s first residential program in southern Nevada. It is also the second residential gambling addiction recovery center in the nation. 

John Archiquette, Public Affairs Specialist

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