LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The City of Henderson held its annual Veterans Day ceremony Saturday morning, recognizing the city’s residents who have served in the military.

“Every time we have this ceremony, it’s moving because we have so many veterans in our community that have done so much for this country,” Henderson Mayor Michello Romero said.

Mayor Romero introduced keynote speaker Colonel Argie Moore, an Air Force Combat Veteran.

“Veterans share a powerful bond that most people will never understand. We are brothers and sisters, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or political party,” Moore said.

Moore spoke directly to veterans and their families about the battle veterans continue to fight at home — mental health.

“7,000 Americans have died in combat since 2001. But we have lost 131,000 to suicide during that same time period,” Moore said.

Moore also advocated for politicians to invest in veterans and make benefits more accessible.

“These stories and statistics underscore the need for further reforms to ensure that veterans and their families receive the benefits they’ve earned,” Moore said.

Moore ended her speech by rallying her fellow veterans to help each other get the help they need. After her speech, the city commemorated Henderson’s veterans.

To cap off today’s ceremony, they recognized the newly engraved names on Henderson’s Veterans memorial wall.

“It’s a great way for our family members to be able to come and sit with a loved one and remember them,” Mayor Romero said.

Henderson’s veterans memorial wall was created in 1994. It now bears nearly 2,000 names.

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