Nevada Assemblyman Ken Gray, a longtime Air Force veteran and public servant, is stepping into a new role that hits close to home for many veterans and their families.
Gray is being appointed in August as Senior Advisor to the National Cemetary Administration at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
The news came out in a post from reporter Tabitha Mueller, who shared a photo of the official announcement on X:
Assm. @KenGray4NV announces that he’s going to serve as senior advisor to the National Cemetery Administration at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
He said the new role means he will no longer serve in the Assembly, but calls his time in office “the honor of a lifetime.” pic.twitter.com/zcEoI1I62G
— Tabitha Mueller (@tabitha_mueller) July 19, 2025
A Life of Service
Gray’s background is tailor-made for the job.
He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1987 to 2013, retiring as a Chief Master Sergeant after more than 26 years in uniform.
After his military career, he jumped into public service at the local level, including as a Lyon County commissioner before being elected to the Nevada Assembly.
His new position is with the National Cemetery Administration (NCA), which manages 156 national cemeteries across the country, along with 122 others through grant programs.
Their mission? To honor America’s veterans with final resting places that reflect dignity and respect.
The committee Gray joins helps shape policies for these sacred sites, especially as the VA works to expand access and improve services for veterans and their families.
That includes burial benefits, memorial headstones, and care for the remains of unclaimed veterans who never got the honors they earned.
A Focus on Fixing What’s Broken
The VA has faced growing criticism in recent years over slow cemetery upkeep and maintenance problems.
Families have reported delays in burial services and long waits for headstone placement.
For many, the experience of laying a loved one to rest hasn’t lived up to the promise our country makes to its veterans.
That’s where Gray’s leadership could make a difference.
In 2024, the VA launched a new initiative aimed at answering burial eligibility questions and making the system easier to navigate.
The program was led by then-Deputy Secretary Paul R. Lawrence and has gained bipartisan attention.
Now, with Gray on the advisory committee, there’s hope he can help keep things moving in the right direction.
As someone who’s worked in both the military and local government, Gray knows how to cut through red tape and focus on results.
That’s something many families say is sorely needed at the VA.
Why This Matters
Every year, more than 130,000 veterans are laid to rest in VA-managed cemeteries.
These aren’t just numbers. These are mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, friends, and neighbors who gave part of their lives to protect our freedom.
And for many veterans, burial in a national cemetery is the final honor they’re promised.
It’s also a comfort for families, knowing their loved one will be cared for and remembered.
But when that process gets delayed or falls short, it adds even more pain to an already difficult time.
That’s why conservatives have pushed for greater accountability and reforms at the VA. Making sure government works for the people, not against them, is a core belief.
And when it comes to honoring veterans, there’s simply no excuse for failure.
Supporters Cheer, Critics Watch
Supporters of Gray’s appointment say he brings a practical mindset and a no-nonsense approach that could help fix long-standing problems.
His military background gives him credibility, and his work in Nevada shows he knows how to handle public systems.
Some critics, however, have questioned whether advisory committees like this one have real power to make change or are just symbolic.
But with veterans’ issues front and center, even small changes can have a big impact.
Gray’s appointment to the National Cemetery Administration’s advisory committee is a win for Nevada and for veterans across the country.
It puts a proven leader in a position to speak up for those who can’t and to make sure our veterans get the respect they earned, right down to their final resting place.
For conservatives, it’s another reminder that real change doesn’t always come from speeches or headlines – it comes from service.
And Ken Gray’s still serving.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
