The Los Alamitos Chamber of Commerce packed the Rush Park Community Center in Rossmoor Thursday to salute area heroes who have distinguished themselves by serving the public.
“Today is about acknowledging heroes,” said Chamber Chairwoman Nesi Stewart, who thanked everyone involved who help get the Chamber “Heroes Appreciation Luncheon” back on track after skipping 2020 because of the pandemic.
“We surpassed expectations,” she said, thanking event Chairwoman Judy Klobach, the Chamber Board of Directors, the major sponsors, RCSD General Manager Joe Mendoza and Chamber employee Toni Hauger.
The event brought political firepower to Rossmoor for the luncheon, as State Sen. Tom Umberg, 2nd District Supervisor Katrina Foley both attended, representatives of Congressman Alan Lowenthal along with several area mayors and elected officials attended to honor the public service heroes.
Chamber Board Member Manny Gouveia served as Master of Ceremonies for the luncheon, saying “we greatly appreciate these heroes who serve our community so unselfishly on a daily basis.”
Representatives of several public service agencies, including the Orange County Fire Authority, the California Highway Patrol, the Los Alamitos Police Department, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and Joint Forces Training Bases each nominated a recipient to be awarded for their heroic actions.
For the first time, the event also included medical frontline workers, as two representatives of the Los Alamitos Medical Center were recognized for their bravery and skill performed under duress during the pandemic.
The Heroes Appreciation Luncheon honorees for 2021 include the following:
• Los Alamitos Medical Center Facilities Director, Greg Watt.
• Los Alamitos Medical Center Nursing Director, Jon Blomberg.
• California Highway Patrol Officer, Matthew Musselmann.
• Lieutenant Colonel Leroy Cisneros of the 40th Infantry Division at Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos.
• Sergeant First Class Peter Nuoffer of the 79th Theater Sustainment Command at Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos.
• Los Alamitos Police Chief, Eric Nuñez.
• Orange County Fire Authority Firefighter-Paramedic, Justin Myers.
• Orange County Sheriff’s Department Deputy, Gabriel Barreras.
The renown Los Alamitos Show Choir, under the direction of David Mollencamp, serenaded the group with a medly of patriotic and show tunes as SPC Raivyn Hearne from Joint Forces Training Base Sang the national anthem.
The Event-News Enterprise will present a profile of each of the Los Al Heroes in next week’s edition.
