Carson City captain makes national news

Carson City's U.S. Army Capt. Andrew Watson appeared in the New York Times and the Washington Post stories this week talking about recent unrest in Iraq.

Andrew, 28, was quoted in both newspapers, making the lead in the Times.

"We have taken great pains to be aware of cultural differences," he told Times reporter Patrick E. Tyler. "We do not want to be ugly Americans. We are here to be a friend."

Andrew is the son of Steven and Anita Watson, of Carson City. He is a 1993 graduate of Carson High School, where he spent four years with the Navy Junior ROTC program, rising to be executive officer. He graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno Army ROTC program with a history major.

"He received the governor's award when he graduated from UNR," Steven said. "We are really proud of him."

Andrew serves with the 3rd Squadron of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, based in Fort Carson, Colo.

"He has always wanted to serve his country and be in the military," Steven said. "We just want him to come home safe."

Carson City JROTC adviser Cmdr. Skip Cannady said he remembers Andrew very well.

"Last time I saw him he was an Army captain," Skip said. "He talked to classes. He is quite an outstanding young man. He was very enthusiastic. He is doing extremely well in the Army."

Andrew was featured in the Appeal's Serving From Nevada column. He is married to Stefanie and has two sons, Sean and Alex. Both of his parents are graduates of Douglas High School and UNR. Steve said he and Anita moved to Carson City 31 years ago, and recently celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary.

Steve is a third-generation Nevadan, which makes Andy the fourth generation to hail from the Silver State.

Irma Manor is the first woman president of the Lions in their 70-year history in Carson City.

I could tell from talking to Irma's husband, Marco, that he is very proud of her.

The couple has lived at Sunridge since they returned to Nevada after retirement in 1997.

Marco was manager of the Costco in Reno in 1992, but transferred back to California to be close to where his U.S. Air Force Academy graduate son was stationed.

"We both retired in 1997 and we loved Nevada so much we decided to come back," he said.

"I retired from a full-time job to full-time volunteering," Marco says of his and Irma's involvement in the Lions. "But the work makes my heart feel good now."

There are 61 people in the Carson City chapter of the Lions Club. They raise money by selling See's Candy in November and December and are a fixture at Nevada Day.

The Lions also host an annual crab feed that has become very popular.

Phil McKinnon called to say he had inadvertently limited the ages of Young Eagles involved in the Experimental Aircraft Association.

Young people aged 8-18 are involved in the program, which is designed to increase interest in flying.

Concert pianist Milus Scruggs said his performance at Tuesday's final Capital Community Concert Association's free concert may well be his last as well.

Milus, 43, lives in Gardnerville and played classical music in his youth.

"Audiences for classical music really shrunk," he said. "People have no idea how hard you have to work to play classical music. The organizers asked me to do this and I figured I could come up with a half hour."

Milus will be the last person to play the association's Baldwin concert grand piano before it is turned over to the Brewery Arts Center for safe keeping.

"They've got a really nice Baldwin piano," he said.

During the school year, Milus works with schoolchildren, but says he is looking for a project for the summer.

"I don't need the money," he said. "I just need something that will challenge my intellect. Sometimes you have to create them out there."

Tuesday's concert is free and starts at 7:30 p.m.

Today, Carson City Job's Daughters will be planting pink flamingos on the lawns of a few lucky residents. This is the first weekend of a fund-raiser that will last all summer.

The gimmick? Residents who wish the flamingos removed are asked for a $5 donation. For another $5 the flock of flamingos may be passed on to a friend or family member.

Anyone interested should call 882-1413.

Kurt Hildebrand is acting city editor at the Nevada Appeal. Contact him at 881-1215 or hildebrand@nevadaappeal.com.