Chamber officials say the 2025 Heroes Luncheon filled the Rush Park Auditorium with more 250 community leaders, elected leaders and private citizens who wanted to say thanks to the many local agencies and first responders that stay on duty to protect our communities.
Eight local agencies submitted nominees for local “Heroes” for the annual event, sponsored by the Los Alamitos Chamber. Since its inception, the event has blossomed into what is perhaps the highlight of the year for many in the overflow crowd of more than 270 (official Chamber estimate).
“By far this was the largest crowd we’ve ever seen,” said Toni Haugher, a Los Al Chamber official who organized the event.
Dr. Andrew Pulver, who Co-Chairs the Los Alamitos Chamber along with Co-Chair Susan Morales, served as Master of Ceremonies for the event, thanked the sponsors and everyone who had cooperated to make the event a reality.
“We could not have done this without each one of you,” he said.
The event hosted a gathering of perhaps the entire elected power structure of West Orange county, as State Sen. Tony Strickland spoke for most of them suggesting “how valuable” our Heroes are to our communities.
“They should be honored every day of the year and not only at our annual Heroes Luncheon,” he said.
Each year, the Chamber asks the leadership of each of the included public agencies to select their own “Heroes,” given a certain list of parameters of public service.
This year’s Hero Honorees were:
Min Sung, Director of Pharmacy Services, honoree of UCI Health, Los Al Medical Center.
The ENE will profile each of this year’s winners during the year awaiting the 2026 Heroes Luncheon.
Staff Sgt. Feliciana V. Sanchez, Jr., honoree of the California National Guard.
Officer Paul Paddon, honoree of the California Highway Patrol.
Sgt. First Class Neyra Valenzuela, honoree of the 40th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army.
Detective Steven Smith, honoree of the Los Alamitos Police Department.
Master-at-Arms, Second Class Raymond R. Duque, Jr., honoree of the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station.
Battalion Chief Chuck Fedak, honoree of the Orange County Fire Authority.
Deputy Sean Talei, honoree of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.