Local leaders and public service professionals packed the Rush Park Community Center in Rossmoor Thursday as the Los Alamitos Chamber of Commerce held its first 2022 Heroes Appreciation Luncheon since rules governing the COVID-19 pandemic were lifted.
“The great thing about today is community,” said Nesi Steward, President of the Los Alamitos Chamber of Commerce as she welcomed the standing-room-only crowd.
“For those of you who live, work, and play in this community, you know this room is filled with heroes today,” she said.
Stewart also thanked Event Chairman and long-time Chamber businesswoman Judy Klabouch, who inspired the event back in 2019 before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. “You are my hero today,” Stewart said to her.
Chamber officials said they were excited to see the crowded room and to finally be able to get the unique opportunity back on track. Eight agencies of local law enforcement, military and public services select their own honorees that are then honored by the Chamber.
During the pandemic, Chamber officials voted to add health care professionals to the ranks of heroes.
“This is a very unique event,” said State Sen. Thomas Umberg, who attended the event. Umberg, a retired Colonel, who represents more than a million constituents in his Senate district, said “there is no event like the ‘Heroes Appreciation Luncheon’ anywhere in his district or any place I’ve heard about.”
“I’ve heard from many of you that this is one of our favorite days of the year,” said Dr. Andrew Pulver, who served as Master of Ceremonies for the event.
“We are here together to recognize our men and women in uniform,” he said.
“We really rally behind you and wrap our arms around those who give tirelessly of themselves, their service to all of us,” said Pulver.
“What a beautiful event,” said Pulver.
Nathan Searles, 2nd Vice President of the Rossmoor Community Services District, said Rossmoor “sincerely joins you in honoring medical frontline workers and … those in uniform for their bravery.”
“We greatly appreciate you for unselfishly serving the community on a daily basis,” said Searles to the men and women in uniform.
The Joint Forces Training Base provided the presentation of the colors and Los Alamitos High School’s Show Choir provided entertainment.
Before the presentation of the awards, Pulver asked the group to bow for a moment of silence to honor the late Los Al Council member Ron Bates.
As in years past, the Event News Enterprise will name the winners this week but will run individuals to highlight the 2022 service heroes throughout the year.
These are the 2022 men and women in uniform Los Al Chamber Heroes for 2022. (L-R) Theresa Shoup, Los Al Medical, Justice Taylor, 79th Sustainment Command, Christian Guerrero, U.S. Navy, Angelica Castaneda, JFTB, Elizabeth Denney, OCFA, Detective Evan Flynn, Los Al PD, Officer Christopher Williams, CHP and Dep. Adrian Rodriquez, Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
Here are the heroes named for 2022:
• California Highway Patrol, Officer Christopher Williams.
• Joint Forces Training Base, 40th Infantry Division, SSG Angelica Castaneda.
• 79th Theater Sustainment Command, SPC Justice Taylor.
• Los Alamitos Medical Center, Director Theresa Shoup.
• United States Navy, SB Naval Weapons Station, MA(SW/AW) Christian T. Guerrero.
• Los Alamitos Police Department, Detective Evan Flynn.
• Orange County Fire Authority, Elizabeth Denney.
• Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Deputy Adrian Rodriquez.
These are the men and women in uniform Los Al Chamber Heroes for 2022. (L-R) Theresa Shoup, Los Al Medical, Justice Taylor, 79th Sustainment Command, Christian Guerrero, U.S. Navy, Angelica Castaneda, JFTB, Elizabeth Denney, OCFA, Detective Evan Flynn, Los Al PD, Officer Christopher Williams, CHP and Dep. Adrian Rodriquez, Orange County Sheriff’s Department.