ALEX BALLESTEROS, 9/11 Pentagon Survivor
USS MIDWAY MUSEUM
March 13, 2011
Alex Ballesteros was at the Pentagon on 9/11. In fact, it was his command’s office that the plane came crashing through. Moments before the attach on the Pentagon, he was standing in the same spot speaking with friends, co-workers, and shipmates. As soon as he walked [...]
ALEX KAPITANSKI (March 23, 1923 – February 17, 2010)
(Nominated by Wayne Louth)
USS MIDWAY MUSEUM
March 13, 2011
Alex spent the majority of his life proudly displaying his love of country, providing in excess of 13 million U.S. and State Flags across our great land for more than 37,000 civic events, memorials, and school district functions. A [...]
BARBARA JEAN (BJ) & DANIEL CALLAHAN
(Nominated by Jeff Parness)
Gerald R. Ford Elementary School
March 10, 2011
As pioneer residents of the Coachella Valley, she as a teacher and he as a business developer, BJ and Dan Callahan were heavily involved in their community. BJ was named “Teacher of the Year” for the Desert Sands Unified School District [...]
CHARLES TASKER & JERRY SALMERON
(Nominated by John Rios and representing all members of their 62 person team)
Gerald R. Ford Elementary School
March 10, 2011
On 9/11/01 while the world looked on in amazement Firefighters FC Tasker and FFII Salmeron were aggressively packing their equipment in case they got the call to respond to the tragedy that was [...]
FRANCISO SANCHEZ
(Nominated by Maria M. Miranda)
Gerald R. Ford Elementary School
March 10, 2011
Franciso Sanchez, a Social Insurance Specialist in the Indio Social Security office, served four years active duty in the U.S. Marines. He took on a variety of missions, promoting security and peaceful development, maintaining stability and supporting humanitarian operations. His tours of duty included [...]
FRED LATUPERISSA
(Nominated by Lori VanArsdale)
Gerald R. Ford Elementary School
March 10, 2011
Mr. Latuperissa is a U.S. Navy Vietnam Veteran and currently serves as the International Trade Administration -U.S. Commercial Service Director of the United States Department of Commerce in Ontario, California, promoting international trade for expansion and economic growth. His previous overseas assignments include: acting Senior [...]
GABRIELA JOSEALANZO
(Nominated by Jason Grotberg)
Gerald R. Ford Elementary School
March 10, 2011
This Marine is hard-working and has a can-do attitude. She is reliable and can be trusted to always do what is right. She is a great Marine and deserves recognition.
GINNY CANADY
(Nominated by William Gavitt)
Gerald R. Ford Elementary School
March 10, 2011
Ginny Canady is the widow of Navy CAPT Delmar L. Canady, USN. CAPT Canady was a WWII F4U Corsair Instructor Pilot, Helicopter Pilot and the Landing Signal Officer of the aircraft carrier USS Hoggatt Bay, CVE-75. Ginny followed her husband all over the USA during [...]
JOHN ISNER
(Nominated by The Indian Wells Tennis Garden)
Gerald R. Ford Elementary School
March 10, 2011
John Isner is a current member of the American Davis Cup Team. He won his first career Singles ATP World Tour Title in Auckland, New Zealand in 2010 and is currently ranked No 33 in the World.
LEWIS E. MEYER
(Nominated by Ulysses Miller, Jr.)
USS MIDWAY MUSEUM
March 13, 2011
Lewis Meyer, a San Diego native, joined the U.S. Army to serve our Nation’s military effort in Korea and later returned from the Korean conflict in 1954 to become a Civilian Firefighter and ultimately Fire Captain at the Miramar Naval Air Station. He again served [...]
