LUC & RACHEL PEREZ (Nominated by Cheryl Perez) USS MIDWAY MUSEUM March 13, 2011 My children, Luc, a senior and age 18 and Rachel, a seventh grader age 13, have been involved in community service to veterans since their Dad passed away in 2003 from a service connected disability from the Vietnam War. They are more »
California Stories
Mara Cantelo, Indian Wells
MARA CANTELO (Nominated by Maria M. Miranda) Gerald R. Ford Elementary School March 10, 2011 Mara Cantelo is the leader of the Yucca Valley, California Tender Loving Christmas (TLC), a local charity established 25 years ago that helps people who have nowhere to go for the holidays. They provide a Christmas feast at the Community more »
Melanie Oudin, Indian Wells
MELANIE OUDIN (Nominated by Indian Wells Tennis Garden) Gerald R. Ford Elementary School March 10, 2011 Melanie Oudin is a current member of the American Fed Cup Team. She is a US Open Quarterfinalist, 2009 and received the WTA Newcomer of the Year award in 2009.
Mitch Mendler, San Diego
MITCH MENDLER (Nominated by Javier Mainar) USS MIDWAY MUSEUM March 13, 2011 San Diego Fire Engineer Paramedic Mitch Mendler has dedicated much of his life to commemorating the lives lost on 9/11. He has almost single-handedly organized several anniversary ceremonies in Version:1.0 San Diego and is currently coordinating an effort to fly a flag from more »
Nick Popaditch, San Diego
NICK POPADITCH (Nominated by Cheryl Perez) USS MIDWAY MUSEUM March 13, 2011 Gunny Sgt. Nick Popadtich, retired Marine and recipient of the Silver Star and Purple Heart, served in the Gulf War and the Iraqi War. He is pictured in the world famous AP photo of the statue of Saddam coming down. He was hit more »
Orlow “Buzz” Garrett, San Diego
ORLOW “BUZZ” GARRETT (Nominated by Ulysses Miller, Jr.) USS MIDWAY MUSEUM March 13, 2011 Orlow “Buzz” Garrett entered military service on September 4, 1943. Following basic training, he was deployed to Morocco and assigned to the 3rd infantry division. There Buzz and the 3rd ID boarded ships that would eventually take them to Naples, Italy. more »
Patti Davis, Indian Wells
MARA CANTELO (Nominated by Scott Evans) Gerald R. Ford Elementary School March 10, 2011 Patti Davis is a mother of three boys who works relentlessly volunteering to be involved in their lives. She is the PTO President at their school, she is the Fundraising Chairman and committee member of their Palm Desert Cub Scout Pack more »
Rachel Damski, Indian Wells
RACHEL DAMSKI (Nominated by William Rupracht) Gerald R. Ford Elementary School March 10, 2011 Ms. Rachel Damski was awarded the 2010 President’s Volunteer Bronze award on February 10, 2011 for volunteering at the Palms Springs USO. During the past three years she has worked 91 shifts for a total of 587.25 hours and is greatly more »
Rob Laatsch, San Diego
ROB LAATSCH (Nominated by Jym Bridger) USS MIDWAY MUSEUM March 13, 2011 Rob works as a firefighter/paramedic and is a shining example of what we should strive to be. Like all heroes, Rob is modest and never seeks recognition for his work. He cares deeply for everyone with whom he comes in contact and puts more »
Sam Querreyr, Indian Wells
SAM QUERREYR (Nominated by The Indian Wells Tennis Garden) Gerald R. Ford Elementary School March 10, 2011 Sam Querreyr is a current member of the American Davis Cup Team. Sam holds six career singles ATP World Tour Titles and is currently ranked No. 24 in the world.
