Senator Morrell Honors Patriots of the Past, Present and Future

MORENO VALLEY>> With praise and appreciation for many veterans, numerous individuals and dignitaries gathered together Friday, March 10 to honor local veterans during State Senator Mike Morrell’s Patriots of the Past, Present and Future ceremony. The event, presented by Morrell and the Association of the United States Army of Greater Los Angeles, featured dinner, entertainment, and remarks from Morrell and other officials. The event was created to honor those who have served their country in the past, service members who are currently serving, businesses and organizations that honor veterans, and the younger generation that is taking the steps to be actively involved in the military. “We want to honor our soldiers, just like Lincoln said in his second inaugural address. They fought for us, and so we have to bury their burdens afterward. We have to honor them,” Morrell said. Morrell said it’s good for the younger generation. “They aren’t teaching patriotism or American exceptionalism very much in school anymore,” Morrell said. “So it’s good for them and they get charged up about this.” Morrell also spoke about a pending senate bill he authored that would remove a barrier for veterans seeking work in California and encourages immediate entrance into the civilian workforce by waiving the application and initial license fees paid to the state in order to receive an occupational licenses. “Even if only 20 percent make it in that particular occupation, it would be a boom to the economy,” Morrell said. “It would also incur tax revenue, so instead of getting the money up front, we would get it later on, but government unfortunately wants it up front which prohibits a lot of veterans from getting into these careers. We want to make it easy for them to be successful.” During the event, entertainment was provided by the Swing Dames and California Baptist University Male Chorale, who sang the National Anthem and performed patriotic songs. “The music is wonderful with patriotic songs and it’s just a really good time that honors our soldiers, honors our country and has appreciation to God for preserving our union,” Morrell said. Ryan Orr, representative of Operation Community Cares, welcomed everyone in attendance and highlighted Morrell's achievements including being recently recognized as "Legislator of the Year" by the Military Officers Association of America’s California Council of Chapters. “(The event is) about people who make the biggest and best difference in the world,” Orr said. “This has been a passion for our State Senator Mike Morrell and it is our honor to be a part of it.” Morrell said his staff and those working the event at the museum gave 100 percent to make sure that everyone had a good time. “It’s classy, the music is good, the food is great and I’m proud of my staff and how well they do,” Morrell said. Nominations were submitted from all around the 23rd Senate District, the district Morrell represents, which includes a large portion of the Inland Empire. The “Greatest Generation Award” for Patriots of the Past was given to four veterans including: Daniel Massagli, marine corps veteran who served toward the end of World War II; Frank Haban, navy veteran who served during World War II; Vincent Kilbride, marine corps veteran who served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam; and Marvin Nottingham, navy veteran who served during World War II. Finalists in the Patriots of the Past included: Roger Henderson, Navy veteran; Daniel Massagli, Marin Corps veteran; Richard Wallace, Marine Corps veteran; William Edward Daley, Jr., Marine Corps veteran; Leonard Tavernetti, Army veteran; Gary Underwood, Air Force veteran; Greg August, Navy, Marines, Air Force veteran; John M. Moore, Army Air Force veteran; David Raley, Air Force veteran; Michael Cano, Marine Corp veteran; Marvin Nottingham, Navy veteran; and Jim Orate, Army veteran. Finalists in the Patriots of the Present included: Todd Clement, president of BrightStar Care of Central Western Riverside County; David Crow, Air Force Reservist and founder of Qworks Catering Company; Jason Riley, Marine Corps veteran and founder of J. Riley Distillery; Dave Clark, Air Force veteran; Joseph Moseley, Army veteran; Eleanor Torres and Mary Petit, co-executive directors of The Incredible Edible Community Garden; Richard Moseley, Army veteran; Michael Kampbell, Air Force reserves; Richard Mosley, Army National Guard veteran Joel Stuart Rothschild, Navy veteran; Cynthia Anderson, Navy reserves; Benjamin Cervantes, Army veteran; Jennifer Diehl, science teacher; Colonel Francis Sick, Air Force veteran; Brandon Jacobson, Marine Corps veteran, Justin Musella, Army veteran; and Thomas Wagner, Marine Corps Veteran. Finalists in the Patriots of the Future include: Ryan Dahl of Beaumont High School; Maya Domozetska of Rancho Cucamonga High School, Alyssa Gallardo of Arroyo Valley High School, Joshua Guadagnino of Rancho Cucamonga High School, Hayden Haller of Citrus Valley High School, Gabriel Jaimes of Glen View High School, Sterling Kaczerowski of Yucaipa High School, David Lopez of Alta Loma High School, Andrew Martinez of San Gorgonio High School, Travis Mcalpine of Alta Loma High School, Abeegail Meyer of Rancho Cucamonga High School, Christopher Ritchie of Alta Loma High School, and Jonathan Rodgers of Cajon High School.