WHEREAS, Vincent “Vince” Shank will be honored by friends and relatives on the occasion of his 105th birthday on Sunday, September 19, 2021; and

WHEREAS, he was born on this day in 1916 when Woodrow Wilson was the President and the Model T was still the most popular car; and

WHEREAS, during his long and productive life, Vince was a war hero, serving our Country in as a Bombardier during World War II in the U.S. Army Air Corps; and

WHEREAS, his B-17 was shot down over Sicily and he spent 22 months as a Prisoner of War; and

WHEREAS, his heroism during the war wasn’t his only claim to fame. Vince played the trumpet and toured the country with nationally renowned bands. He played for various casinos and even played in the 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago as well as with the “Rat Pack” in Las Vegas; and

WHEREAS, Vince met his wife, Dorothy, in the band and they then settled down in Nevada in 1951 and had a daughter, Nancy. Vince, Dorothy, and Nancy made Las Vegas their home but would often travel to Hawaii which is where Vince ran his first marathon at age 80; and

WHEREAS, Vince has previously said meditation, a positive attitude and plenty of hobbies may have contributed to his long life but admits he has no particular secret to share regarding his longevity except for taking daily walks; and

WHEREAS, Vince has lived during one of the most eventful centuries of this world’s history; and has been a force for good and a stabilizing influence on those around him throughout his life; and

WHEREAS, it is an honor to recognize Vincent “Vince” Shank on the occasion of his 105th birthday, and I wish him sincere congratulations and best wishes for many more happy years to come;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, STEVE SISOLAK, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim the day of Sunday, September 19, 2021, as

VINCENT “VINCE” SHANK DAY IN NEVADA