Whittier, CA
The 8th Annual 2011 Patriot's Award Breakfast & Charity Banquet (A 9/11 Memorial Observance Event) was held on Saturday, September 10, 2011 at the Grand Ballroom of the American Red Cross (Rio Hondo Chapter) in uptown Whittier. The event was hosted by
Dr. Ralph & Deborah Pacheco of the: LC Foundation, Inc..
The Honorary Chair of the Patriot's Planning Committee Whittier Mayor
Cathy Warner gave the official "Welcome" to the over 150 guests at the event. She spoke of the "Powerful remembrance of this tragic event that took place 10 years ago."
In the Award portion of the morning, "6" very deserving Whittier area citizens received recognition for their "demonstrating of love for God, Country, and Neighbor through Community or national service..." The 2011 Patriot of the Year was
Mr. Jose Ramos the founding member of the "Welcome Back Home Vietnam Veterans" event held each March 30th of the year.
The other 5 Patriot Awardees were;
Layla Avila (South Whittier School District Board Member),
Bobbie Dear (Board secretary, Whittier County Community Coordinating Council),
P. Michael Freeman (Los Angeles County Fire Chief - Retired),
Elizabeth "Liz" Mendia (Executive Director, Whittier Rio Hondo AIDS Project), and
Tim Traeger (Editor, Whittier Daily News).
The Patriot's Award "9/11" Keynote Speaker was
Mr. Steven David Santoyo, husband of
"Marie Pappalardo" ... Marie was a passenger on United Flight 175 (Boston to L.A.) she was returning from Martha's Vineyard (Boston area) after a visit with her adult daughter for her Birthday... Marie was returning from Boston to L.A. to be with her husband Steven... She did not make it home that day... The flight was hijacked and was flown into TWIN TOWER #2 on 9/11/01 she perished that day along with all the other passengers and flight crew.
Steven's testimony of tragic loss... Depression and pain... then redemption through his faith in God, and ultimate victory Jesus Christ was an inspirational highlight of the 9/11 Memorial Observance at the Event. The 9/11 ceremony was followed by the "Ringing of the Fire Bell" 10 times in 10 second intervals... One ring for each year since this tragic event. A solumn and profound reverence filled the room during that moment for all in attendance that morning. Not a word was spoken...
There were many distingished dignitaries who were also in attendance for this year's memorial event. (partial list): Whittier Mayor
Cathy Warner, Whittier Council Member
Greg Nordbak, Whittier Union HSD Board Members;
Leighton Anderson,
Jeff Baird,
Russell Castaneda-Calleros, and
Tim Schneider. South Whittier School Board Members;
Jan Baird and
Layla Avila. Rio Hondo College Trustee
Gary Mendez, East Whittier School Board Trustee
Christine Chacon Sullivan, Whittier Union HSD Superintendent
Sandra Thorstenson, Central Water District Board Member
Robert Apodaca, Kenia Davalos L.A. County Chair of the Small Business Commission,
Hector Elizalde representing U.S. Congresswoman
Grace Napolitano,
Kara Medrano representing U.S. Congresswoman
Linda Sanchez, Andrea Avila representing L.A. County Supervisor
Don Knabe,
Rev. Jim Ortiz, President of the Whittier Area Evangelical Ministerial Alliance (WAEMA).
Program Highlights; The Welcome by Whittier Mayor / Patriot's Committee Honorary Chair
Cathy Warner, The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Patriot's Committee Honorary Co-Chair
Greg Nordbak, the Invocation by Pastor
Joey Alvarado (King's Sons & Daughters Training Centers), and the closing prayer (Benediction) by Pastor
Charles Woody, Cornerstone Celebration Center International.
In addition to the gorgeous "Eagle" Patriot Trophies and "Patriot's Awardee Medallions/Medals" the Patriot Honorees ' also received Commendations from U.S. Congress, the County of Los Angeles, and the City of Whittier.
The closing ceremonies also ended with everyone in attendance singing in chorus "God Bless America" (written by Irving Berlin). An appropriate end to a Patriotic event...
