Veterans Banner Program 2026

Max Langeveld was born in Indonesia in 1954. Following Indonesia's struggle for independence, his family relocated to the Netherlands, where he grew up in Rotterdam. After immigrating to the United States, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1974.

During more than 11 years of military service, Langeveld served as a Military Police Soldier and investigator. His assignments included Fort Polk, Louisiana; approximately 10 years in Germany, primarily supporting U.S. Air Force installations; and the 9th Military Police Company at Fort Lewis, Washington, where he served as a Patrol Supervisor. He retired honorably with the rank of Staff Sergeant. His military decorations include two Meritorious Service Medals, the Army Achievement Medal, and several additional commendations. He also qualified Expert with both the rifle and pistol.

After leaving the Army, Langeveld worked for McDonnell Douglas in Long Beach for 10 years, supporting the C-17 Globemaster III and DC-10 aircraft programs. He later served as a Supervising Probation Officer for Riverside County from 1997 to 2010, helping juvenile offenders while securing grants that expanded educational and enrichment opportunities.

In retirement, Langeveld remains active through marathons, endurance events, and cross-country motorcycle trips. He spends significant time in Long Beach with his son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren, and enjoys metal detecting along the local beaches.

Captain Milutin "Mitch" Marich, U.S. Navy Reserve, Retired, served his country for nearly 30 years, including 10 years on active duty followed by approximately 20 years in the U.S. Navy Reserve. After graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, he entered the U.S. Naval Academy as a member of the Class of 1971. Upon graduation, he married his wife, Valerie, and began his naval career aboard USS Drum (SSN-677), a nuclear-powered attack submarine. He later served aboard USS Ranger (CV-61), deploying to the Western Pacific. His final active-duty assignment was as a Naval Gunfire Liaison Officer simulator and training unit, with the 2nd Marine Division at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Following active duty, Marich joined the U.S. Navy Reserve at Naval Station Long Beach, where he continued drilling for two decades. His Reserve assignments included duty aboard USS Moctobi (ATF-105), a shipboard simulator and training unit, and a Voluntary Training Unit, where he served in several leadership positions, including Commanding Officer, before retiring in 2001.

In his civilian career, Marich applied his computer skills to employment in information systems for a health insurance company before later serving as a substitute teacher. Today, he remains active as a U.S. Forest Service volunteer, Neighborhood Watch captain, and church volunteer. He and Valerie have two children and continue to enjoy traveling, volunteering, and spending time with their family. Since 2012, they have traveled to 11 European countries and Alaska and Hawaii.

Nicholas “Nick” Weber (28 January 1972—21 April 2024) served his country with quiet strength, steady hands, and an unshakable sense of duty. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1989, beginning his journey at Long Beach, where the rhythm of military life took hold and shaped the man he would become.

Nick served as a Boatswain’s Mate Third Class aboard the USS Missouri during Operation Desert Storm—a ship already steeped in history, carrying its final generation of sailors into one last chapter. As a Boatswain’s Mate, his work was physical, demanding, and essential. It was the kind of role that required grit over glory, and Nick carried it with pride.

He later became part of the USS Missouri’s decommissioning crew, helping to close the final chapter of the last active U.S. battleship. In doing so, Nick became one of the last Battleship Sailors of the United States Navy—a distinction that places him at the end of an era, where steel giants once defined naval power.

His service was recognized through numerous commendations, including the Combat Action Ribbon, Navy “E” Ribbon (Second Award), Navy Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, and the Southwest Asia Service Medal with three bronze stars, among others.

Nick carried the weight of his service long after he returned home. On April 21, 2024, he died by suicide—leaving behind not only a record of service, but a legacy of resilience, sacrifice, and humanity that will not be forgotten.

Reggie McLain grew up in Los Angeles, where he experienced the 1965 Watts Riots at the age of 12, which left an everlasting impression.

McLain enlisted in the U.S. Army and completed basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He experienced discrimination both in the Army and in the community when he was assaulted in a local bar and arrested for disturbing the peace. No one who assaulted him was detained.

Despite those hardships, McLain continually chooses not to let adversity define him. Instead, McLain maintains a positive outlook and earns the respect of those who know him and consider him a hero worthy of recognition and respect.

Born in Long Beach, Dr. Regina Lopez is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who completed two deployments to Iraq, where she developed expertise in operations and leadership.

Her military awards include the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (Second Award), Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Rifle Sharpshooter Badge, and Pistol Marksman Badge.

Lopez earned a master’s degree in human services and a doctorate in law and policy from Northeastern University. She is a nonprofit leader and health and human services professional dedicated to strengthening systems of care for veterans.

Lopez currently serves as Director of Operations and Compliance at Village for Vets in Los Angeles, where she oversees programs that support veterans through housing stabilization, case management, and supportive services. Her academic research focuses on the systemic factors that contribute to veteran homelessness. As a health and human services accreditation professional, she works at the intersection of policy, program design, and community collaboration to improve services and outcomes for veterans.

A frequent speaker on veteran reintegration, service delivery, and strategies to end veteran homelessness, Lopez also serves as co-chair of the Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committee for the NAACP Long Beach Branch.

Richard Fierro served for 21 years in the California Army National Guard. During his military career, he served with the Combined Support Maintenance Shop (CSMS) in Long Beach from 2002 to 2014, supporting the maintenance and readiness of Army National Guard equipment. He also lived in Long Beach from 2008 to 2012.

Fierro deployed in support of operations in Iraq and South Korea. His military decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Combat Action Badge. He retired with the rank of Staff Sergeant (E-6), completing more than two decades of dedicated military service.

Ronald Atkins proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps from April 16, 1968, until his honorable discharge on September 29, 1972. His military service included duty during the Vietnam War, where he demonstrated the dedication, resilience, and commitment that continued to define his life after leaving the Marine Corps.

Following his military service, Atkins made Long Beach his home, becoming a devoted member of the community. He was active in his church and quietly served others through his faith, generosity, and compassion. Family remained at the center of his life, and he instilled in his children the values of faith, education, perseverance, and service.

Even while facing cancer, Atkins approached life's challenges with courage and dignity. He passed away on October 11, 2004, leaving behind a legacy of quiet leadership, steadfast faith, and unwavering devotion to his family and community.

Ronnie K. Fleming is a U.S. Navy veteran who has lived, worked, and served the Long Beach community for more than 50 years. Throughout his life, he has demonstrated a deep commitment to family, country, and sports.

Following his military service, Fleming built a longstanding reputation in the community. There is no place in Long Beach where someone doesn't recognize him from his time as a veteran, as a Long Beach resident, as an employee at the docks, or as a sports referee and a referee trainer at local high schools and colleges. For his service in the military and in the community, Fleming continues to be recognized as an ambassador for the City of Long Beach.

Ryan Wolfe (formerly Ryan Wiggins) proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1996 to 2000, attaining the rate of Gunner's Mate Third Class (GM3). As a Gunner's Mate and Surface Rescue Swimmer. He was assigned to USS Jarrett (FFG-33), supporting weapons systems operations, shipboard operations, mission readiness and life-saving efforts at sea. His military decorations include the Navy Good Conduct Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Commendation, and Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon.

Professionally, Ryan works in regional policy and plan

Specialist Sierra Guzman honorably served in the U.S. Army from 2016 to 2020. She was assigned to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, where she served as a Paratrooper and a Human Resources Specialist (MOS 42A) in an airborne unit and earned the Army Parachutist Badge.

During her military service, Guzman provided administrative and personnel support while serving with the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division

After completing her military service, Guzman settled in Long Beach. She earned her bachelor's degree from California State University, Long Beach, in 2024. She is a graduate student passionate about motherhood and maternal health research.

Guzman is affiliated with Black Infant Health Long Beach and is a Certified Lactation Educator through BreastfeedLA. She plans to continue supporting families through research, education, and community-based maternal health initiatives.

Master Sergeant Sixto Soto’s military career reflects more than four decades of service and a lasting commitment to supporting fellow soldiers and his community. Soto was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1972 and later served in the Army National Guard from 1979 until his retirement in 2016. During his career, he rose to the ranks of first sergeant and master sergeant and served with several units, including the 240th Medical Company at the Long Beach Armory, the 340th in Manhattan Beach, the 40th Medical Company in Montebello, and the 540th Battalion.

Throughout his assignments, Soto was known as a leader who encouraged and supported fellow soldiers. He guided them through challenges, built their confidence, and worked to ensure no one was left behind. Whether preparing troops for deployment to Iraq or supporting large-scale mobilizations at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, Soto fostered an environment of care, respect, and trust. At Fort Irwin’s Rotational Unit Bivouac Area (RUBA), he became known as the “Mayor of RUBA” for his leadership and support of soldiers preparing for training and deployment.

Soto received numerous military awards, including four Army Commendation Medals. At the Long Beach Armory, he supported memorial services honoring fallen service members and veterans’ appreciation events. Beyond his military career, Soto served for 40 years with the U.S. Postal Service. A devoted husband and father, he is also known for supporting vulnerable youth and helping others in need.

Stephen Gilliam enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1967 during the Vietnam War.

Through dedication and hard work, he attained the rate of Air Traffic Controller Second Class and later served as a Tower Supervisor at Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California. He completed his military service in 1970.

After leaving the Navy, Gilliam earned a degree in Criminology from California State University, Long Beach, before beginning a career in law enforcement working for the City of Torrance Police Department, where he rose to the rank of captain. He has called Long Beach home since 1977.

Theodore H. Robbins was born in Sharon, Pennsylvania, in 1918. After graduating from high school, he received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy but was unable to attend after being determined medically disqualified because of color vision deficiency. Undeterred, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving for approximately 10 years before retiring for medical reasons related to tuberculosis.

Before the United States entered World War II, Robbins served with the Marine Corps in China. During his career, he also served as an instructor at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, and later as a 1st Lieutenant assigned to the cruiser USS St. Louis (CL-49), known as the "Lucky Lou," during operations in the Pacific Theater.

After relocating to Long Beach with his wife and three sons, Robbins became active in civic affairs with the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and other philanthropic organizations. He received numerous community awards during the 1960s for his service to the community.

Robbins passed away at the age of 48, leaving a lasting legacy of military service, civic involvement, and devotion to his family.

Thomas Dambrowski was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1968 and served with the 23rd Infantry Division, known as the Americal Division, during the Vietnam War. While serving in Vietnam, he was wounded in action and medically evacuated to Walter Reed General Hospital, where he spent several months recovering. He completed his military service at Fort Dix, New Jersey, and was honorably discharged in the rank of specialist (E-4).

In 1976, Dambrowski moved to California with his wife and two young children and has called Long Beach home ever since. He worked for 17 years at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard, beginning as an apprentice pipefitter before advancing to mechanic. During his career, he worked aboard several naval vessels, including USS Coral Sea (CV-43), and held a security clearance while supporting modernization work aboard USS New Jersey (BB-62), including installation of the Tomahawk Weapon System.

Dambrowski retired in 1989 because of complications from the combat wounds he sustained during the Vietnam War. He and his wife have remained active supporters of the Long Beach community.

Major Thomas William Dixon (U.S. Army Reserve, Ret.) was born on August 25, 1946, at St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach. He attended St. Matthew School, Our Lady of Refuge School, Walter B. Hill Junior High School, and Woodrow Wilson High School, graduating in 1965. After one semester at Long Beach City College, he graduated from the California College of Mortuary Science in Los Angeles in 1967 and received his California embalmer license in 1968.

Dixon enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve in 1968 and served with the 306th Psychological Operations Battalion at Fort MacArthur, in San Pedro, California. He completed Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and advanced training at Fort Rucker, Alabama.

In 1972, he graduated from Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia, was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry Branch and returned to the 306th Psychological Operations Battalion. In 1998, after 30 years of military service, he retired from the U.S. Army Reserve with the rank of Major.

In civilian life, Dixon served in the Long Beach Police Department for 33 years, helping modernize the city's 911 communications system. He was an expert witness, preparing hundreds of tapes of calls received in the Communications Center and testifying in court on numerous occasions.

A lifelong Long Beach resident, Dixon remains dedicated to his family, his four grandchildren, his faith, and his community, and continuing a life centered on service to others.

Raised on Long Beach’s east side in Cambodia Town, Romero answered the call to serve following the September 11 attacks. After attending Woodrow Wilson High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in May 2004 and became a combat medic.

Romero was initially assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, Washington, where he served with a Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) platoon. His military career also took him to Germany and Hawaii and, ultimately, to March Air Reserve Base in Riverside County, California, where he trained nonmedical personnel in tactical first aid before deployments.

During a combat deployment north of Baghdad, Iraq, Romero participated in intense combat operations. He received the Combat Medical Badge for treating and evacuating wounded soldiers during a mission to rescue the crew of a downed Black Hawk helicopter. He also received multiple Army Commendation Medals, including recognition for actions taken while assisting children injured in a rocket-propelled grenade attack.

After leaving the Army in 2010, Romero returned to Long Beach. In 2017, he joined the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a nurse and has since served in various capacities, including leadership roles supporting the VA’s Whole Health program. As a trained Whole Health Coach, he counsels fellow veterans on sustainable life changes, preventative care and alternative treatment such as equine-assisted therapy. Romero was selected by the American Red Cross Long Beach to share his story with the Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress.

Violet Y. Thompson was born at Long Beach Memorial Hospital in 1965 and grew up in one of the toughest areas of Eastside Long Beach. She attended Whittier Elementary School, Franklin Junior High School, and Long Beach Polytechnic High School. As a teenager, Thompson worked at the Long Beach Senior Center, MacArthur Park, ABC Day Care Center, and Miss Saylor’s Candies.

Seeking direction and discipline, Thompson joined the military and served from 1986 to 2006. During her 20 years of service, she traveled to numerous countries, deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, and served as a platoon sergeant responsible for 40 soldiers. She also received numerous military awards and medals.

Thompson lived near Long Beach Polytechnic High School until 2001 and has been a homeowner in Bixby Knolls for the past 25 years. She remains active in the community through her homeowners’ association and by participating in Bixby Knolls neighborhood cleanups and Justin Rudd’s beach cleanup events. She is also a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Being in the military gave her the direction, discipline, honor, and selflessness she needed and drives her commitment to her forever community – Long Beach.

William (Bill) Hansen was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1966 and, following basic training, was deployed to Vietnam, where he was assigned to Bien Hoa Army Base. Although initially trained and assigned as a clerk-typist, he was soon reassigned as a truck driver supporting military supply operations throughout the region.

During the Vietnam War, Hansen experienced some of the conflict's most dangerous periods. He was stationed at Bien Hoa during the opening of the Tet Offensive on January 31, 1968, when the base came under intense rocket and mortar attack. In addition to driving supply convoys, he regularly served perimeter guard duty, enduring frequent sniper fire and nighttime attacks. Convoys often traveled through hostile territory, and on one mission the truck immediately behind his was struck, killing the driver. He also witnessed the loss of a close friend in a friendly-fire incident. These experiences remained with him long after his military service ended.

Like many Vietnam veterans, Hansen returned home carrying the invisible wounds of war. He quietly struggled for years with recurring nightmares and the lasting effects of combat-related trauma, experiences now commonly recognized as symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite these challenges, his service reflects the courage and sacrifice of the soldiers who supported combat operations under constant threat throughout the Vietnam War.

George Kiyoshi Sueki served honorably in the U.S. Navy from 1950 to 1955 during the Korean War. An Aircraft Mechanic (AM) he advanced through the enlisted rates (AM1, AM2 and AM3) while stationed in Yokosuka and Osaka, Japan, and serving on aircraft carriers. His military decorations include the Korean Service Medal, Navy Occupation Medal, and Good Conduct Medal.

Following his service, Sueki used the GI Bill to earn a bachelor's degree in health from California State University, San Jose.

One of 10 children, Sueki’s family was incarcerated at a War Relocation Authority camp in Wyoming during World War II, after which the family returned to California to rebuild their lives in Mountain View.

His career as a public health inspector eventually brought him to Long Beach, where he and his wife, Bea, have lived in the El Dorado Park South for more than 60 years. They raised four children, Derrick, Steven, David, and Sharon, who later married and added seven grandchildren to the family. A longtime community volunteer, Sueki served as a Boy Scout leader, helping his son Derrick earn his Eagle Scout, a Neighborhood Watch leader, and active church member.

Since he began exercising at the El Dorado duck pond, he has befriended an unhoused community and takes their recyclables, exchanging them for cash, which he then gives back to them.

George used to love to bowl, but now enjoys a quiet life cleaning his pool, mowing and watering his lawn, trimming his bonsai trees, reading the Press-Telegram daily, and watching Dodgers baseball!

Guillermo Quiñones honorably served in the U.S. Navy from 1960 to 1963 aboard USS Mann (APD-112), a high-speed transport that carried sailors, Marines, and soldiers to overseas assignments during the Cold War. During the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, USS Mann participated in the U.S. naval quarantine of Cuba.

Quiñones distinguished himself as Honor Man (top overall recruit) of his company and receiving brigade-level honors across multiple companies and ranking as top graduate of the entire class. 

Following his military service, he settled in Long Beach, where he lives in Bixby Knolls neighborhood and is an active participant in the city's Older Adult Program at the Expo Arts. In 1992, he earned two bachelor's degrees from California State University, Long Beach, reflecting his lifelong commitment to education and personal achievement. 

Henry A. Brunner was born in 1919 in New Albany, Indiana. When he was four years old, his family moved across the country so his father could work on one of the Bixby family properties in San Pedro. Brunner grew up in San Pedro and later lived in Long Beach, where he purchased a home for his parents.
Brunner enlisted in the U.S. Army shortly after the United States entered World War II and deployed to England in preparation for the D-Day invasion. He landed at Normandy as part of the Allied invasion and later participated in the Battle of the Bulge and the liberation of Europe.

While in England, Brunner met his wife, Dorothy, and the couple married in Walsall. After the war, Brunner returned to the United States. Dorothy later joined him, sailing aboard RMS Queen Mary as a war bride.

Brunner received several military awards, including the American Campaign Medal and World War II Victory Medal. He continued serving his country as a welding inspector at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard and as a member of the U.S. Army Reserve. Called to active duty during the Korean War, he served as an instructor but did not deploy.

Brunner also volunteered for many years as a committee chair for Boy Scout Troops 122 and 78. A longtime member of the Salvation Army Long Beach Temple Corps, he served for decades as corps sergeant major.

Howard Keno Kumashiro was drafted into the U.S. Army on September 12, 1951, during the Korean War. He completed Basic Combat Training at Fort Ord, California, before deploying through Japan to Korea.

Initially assigned to a general officer's honor guard, Kumashiro later transferred to a front-line infantry unit. During the Battle of Triangle Hill in 1952, he was wounded in combat by both gunfire and shrapnel while engaged in heavy fighting. For his service and sacrifice, he received the Purple Heart and Combat Infantryman Badge.

Following approximately five months of hospitalization and rehabilitation, Kumashiro completed the remainder of his military service as a clerk assigned to a Courts and Boards section before being honorably discharged in June 1953.

His courage during one of the Korean War's most difficult campaigns reflected extraordinary resilience and dedication to his fellow soldiers. Kumashiro's military service remains a lasting testament to his sacrifice and commitment to his country.

Jackie L. Stevenson was born on July 22, 1948, in Louisville, Kentucky, to Rodie and Christine Stevenson. The fourth of 12 children, he moved with his family to California during the 1950s. Raised in Boyle Heights, he attended Hollenbeck Junior High School, graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1967, and later attended East Los Angeles College.

Stevenson was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1969 and entered active duty in 1970. He served as an Armor Reconnaissance Specialist and was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 1st Infantry Division, in Augsburg, Germany. His military honors include the Army Good Conduct Medal. During his assignment in Germany, he represented the U.S. Army in track and field competition. Also, he played football for the Army's Crusaders team until an eye injury ended his playing career. He was honorably discharged in 1972 and continued serving in the U.S. Army Reserve for six years.

In 1970, Stevenson married his high school sweetheart, Claudell, and together they raised three sons. Following his military service, he worked in the aerospace industry, including with Boeing, until his retirement in 1991. He later earned a bachelor's degree from California State University, Los Angeles, in 1977.

A longtime resident of Long Beach's Bixby Knolls neighborhood, Stevenson is an accomplished artist, a devoted church member for more than 50 years, and the proud grandfather of five. He enjoys Long Beach's coffee shops, the Expo Arts Center, the African American Cultural Center, and the El Dorado Nature Center. He also appreciates the outstanding care he receives through the VA Long Beach Healthcare System and remains actively engaged in the community he proudly calls home.

Jaidie Michelle Vargas, a Long Beach native, served honorably in the U.S. Navy from 2011 to 2018 as an information systems administrator specializing in cybersecurity. During more than seven years of active-duty service, she served aboard USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19), deploying with the U.S. Sixth Fleet in support of multiple real-world operations, including humanitarian assistance in Haiti.

Petty Officer Vargas earned three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, two Navy Good Conduct Medals, and two Letters of Commendation from a U.S. Navy captain. She also qualified as both an Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist and an Enlisted Information Warfare Specialist and was selected as USS Mesa Verde's Junior Sailor of the Quarter during fiscal years 2017 and 2018.

Following her military service, Vargas returned to Long Beach and built a remarkable second career as a technology executive, Al ethics advocate and community leader. She is co-founder and executive director of Amigas in Tech, a nonprofit supporting Latinas and underrepresented women in technology. Varga is also pursuing a doctorate in artificial intelligence.

She has been featured on Good Morning America, the BBC, and Rocky Mountain PBS and was selected for ISACA's SheLeadsTech initiative in 2025. Vargas continues to mentor veterans transitioning into cybersecurity careers.

Corporal Velasco, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, completed military training at Camp Pendleton, California, Fort Lee, Virginia, and Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. During his service, he earned a meritorious promotion while leading a fire team. His awards included the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal. Velasco also qualified as a Rifle Expert three times, earned a Class 2 Water Survival qualification, and served as a Range Safety Officer.

Velasco continues his commitment to service as an active veterans’ advocate in Long Beach. Alongside his brother, he supports patients at VA Long Beach and engages local students in community service projects. He has also contributed 250 volunteer hours with Meals on Wheels and spent the past two years assisting children with brain injuries. His dedication to service has continued well beyond his military career through meaningful work supporting veterans and the broader community.

Jared Pearson enlisted in the U.S. Army immediately after graduating from Lakewood High School in 1999. Although he originally intended to serve five years, the Army's stop-loss policy extended his enlistment, and he served from 1999 to 2005. He attained the rank of Sergeant (E-5) and served in military counterintelligence.

During his Army career, Pearson deployed twice to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and served in Bosnia as part of the NATO-led peacekeeping mission. His military honors include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and NATO Medal.

Today, Pearson is a 100 percent service-disabled veteran who receives his healthcare through the VA Long Beach. Raised in Lakewood and Long Beach, he met his future partner, Elissa, while attending DeMille Middle School (now Ernest McBride High School). Both graduated from Lakewood High School in 1999. Jared and Elissa have made Long Beach their home for the past 16 years, where they have raised their two children.

Joe Vaisa served honorably in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954 as a heavy weapons infantryman before continuing his military service in the U.S. Army Reserve for an additional six years. His service during the Korean War era earned him the Combat Infantryman Badge, Purple Heart, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.

During his active-duty service, Vaisa was assigned to Camp Irwin, California, where he performed infantry and heavy weapons duties supporting unit readiness and training.

Nearly five decades ago, Vaisa and his wife made Long Beach their home, where they raised seven children, four of whom graduated from Long Beach Unified School District schools. A longtime church volunteer, he faithfully served as treasurer and later as an advisor, providing steady leadership and support to his congregation. His lifelong commitment to service, family, faith, and community continues to reflect the values that guided his military service.

John Bleem, a Long Beach resident for 56 years, served with valor in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. After sustaining injuries in October 1950 near Seoul, he went on to fight at the Chosin Reservoir, a brutal 17-day battle where UN forces, primarily US Marines, fought against significantly larger Chinese forces in extreme cold. Very few returned. John Bleem was one of the Chosin Few.

After returning from Korea, he was stationed in San Diego, California. During his service, he was awarded a Purple Heart, a Good Conduct Medal, a Korean Service Medal, and a United Nations Ribbon. Starting as a private, he retired from the Marines as a Staff Sergeant in 1952.

California made such an impression on him that he moved here from Syracuse, New York, in 1959, with his wife and two sons, and a daughter on the way. He raised his family here and became a grandfather and great-grandfather.

He was always grateful to the VA Long Beach, as they saved his life twice, and his wife volunteered there for decades. Throughout his many years in Long Beach, he owned two businesses and worked in several fields, retiring from the Los Alamitos racetrack in the early 2000s. During his retirement, he worked as a marshal at local golf courses and enjoyed taking classes through California State University, Long Beach’s OLLI program.

John James Brodie was born in Toronto, Canada, and became a U.S. citizen at age 14. With his mother’s consent, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17 in 1963. Brodie served as a dental technician aboard the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany during the Vietnam War.

He was released from active duty in 1966 to serve in the Navy Reserve until January 1969. On October 26, 1966, a fire aboard USS Oriskany killed and injured numerous sailors. Brodie helped care for the wounded. His awards included the Navy Unit Commendation, Vietnam Service Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.

After leaving the Navy, Brodie settled in Long Beach in 1970 and continued his education using GI Bill benefits. He earned an associate degree from Long Beach City College and a bachelor’s degree in speech communication from California State University, Long Beach.

Brodie worked in dental sales and later in restaurant management and sales. After his sons were born, he volunteered with the American Youth Soccer Organization and coached numerous soccer teams. Following retirement, he worked in film and television as a background actor and was a member of the Screen Actors Guild. He was also a gifted glass artist whose work can be found in many homes.

Brodie lived in Long Beach from 1970 to 2018. He died from lung cancer in August 2018.

Justin D. Bartlow Jr. proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1948 to 1952.

Born and raised in Long Beach, Bartlow graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School before entering military service. While in the Marine Corps, Bartlow was awarded the Korean Service Medal (KSM) – 2, the Presidential Unit Citation – 1, and the United Nations Service Medal. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant before receiving an honorable discharge.

Following military service, Bartlow briefly served with the Long Beach Police Department before joining the Long Beach Fire Department, where he built a distinguished 45-year career. He advanced through the ranks and retired as a Battalion Chief in 1999.

After retirement, Bartlow remained active with the VA Long Beach and the Long Beach Firefighters Museum. He proudly called Long Beach home. He dearly loved this place where he chose to build his career, raise his family, and serve the community throughout his life.

Kenneth Farden was the third of five children and graduated from Long Beach Polytechnic High School. Before entering military service, he worked as a newspaper carrier for the Press-Telegram and hoped to one day work in its print shop. A talented baseball player, Kenneth enlisted in the U.S. Army alongside two of his older brothers with the hope they would serve together.

Kenneth deployed to Vietnam in April 1968 and was killed in action in September of that year while serving on guard duty. He was 19 years old.

Remembered by fellow service members as "the funny one," Kenneth continues to be deeply missed and fondly remembered by his family.

Air Force veteran Kevin Toy served nearly 21 years on active duty. Born in Bakersfield, California, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Davis, and a Master of Science degree in Systems Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology. He completed Officer Training School at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, where he graduated with Distinguished Graduate honors.

During his Air Force career, Toy served as an aeronautical engineer, propulsion engineer, and program manager. His assignments included the B-1B Systems Program Office at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, the San Antonio Air Logistics Center at Kelly Air Force Base, Texas, supporting C-130 and C-5 aircraft engines, and the Human Systems Center at Brooks Air Force Base, Texas, where he managed chemical and biological flight suit programs. He later served at the Pentagon as an Air Force legislative liaison and program element monitor before concluding his military career as a lieutenant colonel at the Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base, managing space superiority ground systems.

Toy has lived in Long Beach for the past 19 years. After retiring from the service, Toy worked as a program manager for Harris Corporation and currently serves as a technical expert with Tecolote Research, supporting the U.S. Space Force. He also served as president and treasurer of the California Academy of Mathematics and Science Parent Teacher Organization and is a member of the Long Beach Lawn Bowling Club.

Les Robbins was born at St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach and attended Burcham Elementary School, Marshall Junior High School, Lakewood High School, Long Beach City College, and California State University, Long Beach. Except for his military service, he has spent his entire life in Long Beach.

Robbins served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War before beginning a 30-year career with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. He later served on Long Beach City Council for 10 years, representing the 5th District.

Although officially retired, Robbins has served on the Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association (LACERA) Board of Retirement for nearly three decades.

Leslie Durr was born on April 30, 1915, in Magee, Mississippi. Before entering military service, he worked as a hospital orderly at the Mississippi State Sanatorium. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on August 3, 1942, during World War II and served as a Medical and Surgical Technician.

Following the Allied invasion of Normandy, Durr deployed to France, where he provided essential medical care to wounded service members. His duties included dressing wounds, administering medications, sterilizing surgical instruments, transporting patients, and assisting surgeons while supervising other enlisted medical personnel.

After his honorable discharge on November 25, 1945, Durr returned to Mississippi and married Lucille Hollins. The couple later settled in Long Beach, where he began a career at the VA Long Beach) before joining the Long Beach Naval Hospital (closed in 1994), where he remained until his retirement.

Together, Leslie and Lucille raised five children in Long Beach. He was active in local Parent Teacher Associations, supported youth programs, and worked seasonally with the Crippled Children's Society of Long Beach (now known as Ability First – Long Beach Center), helping children with disabilities through therapeutic exercise programs.

Durr lived by the motto, "Always do your best, no matter what the job may be." He passed away on August 30, 1972. He is remembered for his love of family, country, and his faith in God.

Loren Applebaum is a U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969. Applebaum served as Gunner and advanced to Gun Sergeant. Before deploying to Vietnam, he trained at Fort Bliss, Texas, and Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

During his Army service, Applebaum received several awards, including the Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Army Good Conduct Medal.

Applebaum is a longtime Long Beach resident. His family moved to Long Beach in 1962, and he graduated from Millikan High School in 1964. He later attended Long Beach City College, earning an associate degree two years later.

Applebaum currently volunteers with the American Veterans Assistance Group and supports several events honoring military service members and veterans.

Louis “TreLuv” Smith is a proud U.S. Army veteran who served honorably from September 1992 to September 1996. He held the rank of E-4 Personnel Administration Specialist (MOS 75B), where he managed critical administrative operations supporting military personnel. During his service, he earned an Overseas Service Ribbon and Sharpshooter Badge, reflecting both his dedication and discipline.

Since relocating to Long Beach in 2019, Louis has developed a deep and meaningful connection to the community. In 2020, he further strengthened his civic engagement by completing the Neighborhood Leadership Program, demonstrating his commitment to service beyond the military. Smith receives his medical care through VA Long Beach and is a heart patient and stroke survivor who has transformed his life through resilience, discipline, and a focus on health and wellness.

As a single father, he leads by example—embracing each day with gratitude, strength, and purpose. Today, Louis continues to explore and celebrate all that Long Beach has to offer, living a healthy, happy life while inspiring others through his journey of perseverance, growth, and community involvement.

Martin W. Salazar served in the U.S. Navy aboard USS Roark (DE-1053) from 1971 to 1974. During that period, the destroyer escort conducted Western Pacific deployments, including service during the Vietnam War. In 1974, after sustaining structural damage during Typhoon Rita, USS Roark underwent repairs at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard.

While stationed in Long Beach, Salazar met and married his wife, a Long Beach native, and made the city his permanent home. Following active duty, he continued serving in the U.S. Navy Reserve with Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Unit (MIUWU) 103 at Naval Station Long Beach. He remained with the unit until retiring from the Navy Reserve in 1994. Throughout his military and civilian life, Salazar has maintained a lasting commitment to both his country and the Long Beach community.

Born in New York City, Alfred Irving Schmidt served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Motivated by a strong desire to help defeat Nazi Germany, he enlisted as a teenager. Initially denied because he was undergoing orthodontic treatment, he returned home from the recruitment office, told his mother, and chose to forgo completing his braces in order to serve his country.

He served with distinction during the Battle of the Bulge and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his military service. Throughout the war, he maintained weekly correspondence with his parents, preserving the letters as a lasting record of his experiences.

Following the war, he attended New York University, where he studied history and education. There he met his wife, Phyllis Harrow, and they married after graduation, sharing 25 years together.

His commitment to public service continued through a distinguished career in education. He taught educational psychology, directed master's-level teacher preparation programs in special education, taught through UCLA Extension, and became a professor at California State University, Long Beach. As a published author and advocate, he worked to improve special education systems and expand opportunities for students and educators.

His military service and decades of educational leadership reflect a lifelong dedication to serving both his country and the Long Beach community.

Andre C. Dennis was born and raised in Long Beach. He attended Hudson Elementary School, Stephens Junior High School, and Long Beach Polytechnic High School. An avid athlete, Dennis excelled in track and field and football. As a teenager, he provided lawn-care and car-washing services to families living in naval housing before later serving in the U.S. Navy.

Dennis served as an Aviation Structural Mechanic aboard USS Kitty Hawk and USS Ranger during two deployments, with duty stations at Naval Air Station Point Mugu and Naval Air Station North Island, both in California. His awards included the Navy Good Conduct Medal, Navy “E” Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Commendation, and two Sea Service Deployment Ribbons.

The skills Dennis acquired in the Navy prepared him for civilian careers with General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, and Gulfstream. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Long Beach with his family. Dennis continued serving his community by volunteering as a football coach for the Cabrillo Jaguars and Poly Jackrabbits and as a hurdles coach for the Long Beach Sprinters.

U.S. Army veteran Colonel Arnold V. Strong is a former 30-year military officer specializing in operations, communications, and strategy management. As a public affairs officer or chief communications officer, he served as a coalition spokesman in Iraq and Afghanistan and as a primary spokesperson for Operation Southern Relief in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Operationally, he has served as the Chief of Operations and Training for the seven-nation coalition training the Afghan National Army in Kabul, Afghanistan, and as Headquarters Commander for the Multinational Forces and Observers in Sinai, Egypt. A former fellow of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center, he completed his service as a Chief Communications Officer within U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) and has traveled extensively within the African continent.

Since his retirement from military service in 2017, Strong has served as an executive in emerging technologies and financial services sectors. He is a senior communications and corporate responsibility mentor, government relations director and strategy advisor, guiding corporate and non-profit boards with deep experience in team-building and executive management within diverse organizations.

He is a founding member of Operation Snow Leopard. He also served on the Executive Committee of Hollywood American Legion Post 43 and remains an advisory board member of Veterans in Media and Entertainment. His experience in public, private, defense, technology, start-up, local, and international environments balances his superior media, legislative, and executive relationships.

Strong and his wife, Jessica Jorgensen-Strong, have lived in downtown Long Beach since March, 2016.

Arthur Smocks, Jr., affectionately known as Art, is a Kansas City native who has proudly called the Los Angeles and Long Beach area home since 2019. He is growing his global business, Smocks Media Group, while developing his philanthropic organization, the Arri Kenzo Foundation.

A 2023 graduate of Long Beach’s Neighborhood Leadership Program and a current Innovator in Residence with the City of Long Beach Office of Technology and Innovation, Smocks is committed to strengthening neighborhoods and the diverse communities within them. A U.S. Navy veteran, he earned a bachelor’s degree in leadership development and has received training and mentorship from professionals in healthcare and wellness, law, parks and recreation, banking, scientific research, entertainment, event planning, and community organizing.

Smocks serves on the boards of GP Care Packages and Blankets of Love and supports three advisory boards focused on improving maternal health and birth outcomes. His commitment to this work is further reflected in his role as the official Los Angeles representative for the Daddy Social Stroller Club, a national nonprofit that helps fathers address and discuss postpartum depression.

In his spare time, Smocks enjoys baseball, photography, gaming, swimming, cooking, reading manga, and spending time with his wife and two sons.

Arthur Villegas has called Long Beach home since childhood. He attended Long Beach schools and graduated from Millikan High School before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force.

During his six years of active-duty service, Villegas was stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, where he served as an Aircraft Armament Systems specialist responsible for maintaining and loading weapons systems on the F-15 Eagle. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and earned the Air Force Achievement Medal, Weapons Load Crew of the Year honors, and additional military recognition for his performance.

Following his honorable discharge, Villegas returned to Long Beach, where he built a successful legal career practicing law in downtown Long Beach. He also remains active in the community by coaching youth athletes in the Long Beach Friday Night Lights flag football program, continuing his commitment to mentoring the next generation.

A man of deep faith and quiet strength, Chief Master Sergeant Calvin Leon Gowens’ life was defined by service, leadership, and giving back to the community. Over a distinguished 38-year career in the U.S. Air Force and the Air Force Reserve, he rose to the highest enlisted rank in the Air Force, Chief Master Sergeant. Serving as an Air Reserve Technician (ART) Chief Flight Engineer, instructor, and flight examiner, he logged nearly 12,000 flight hours supporting missions from the Vietnam era through operations in the Persian Gulf region.

Known as a hands-on leader and problem-solver, he was instrumental in the early success of the Air Force Reserve Associate Program at Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino, California, helping strengthen collaboration between Reserve and active-duty forces during a pivotal time in military operations. He was particularly proud of his role in creating “Heritage Hall,” a permanent display preserving the history and legacy of his squadron.

In Long Beach, he brought that same spirit of service into his church, family, and community, investing in others with humility and generosity. Though he passed away in March 2026, his legacy endures as reflected in the people he mentored, the community he served, and the history he worked to preserve for others.

Sergeant Carlos Nava enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in 1994. After completing recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, he reported to 3rd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO) in Long Beach, California, where he served as a Field Radio Operator. He later completed Basic Airborne Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, earning the Army Parachutist Badge, and became qualified as a Forward Observer.

During his reserve career, Nava participated in numerous multinational and joint exercises, including Exercise Cobra Gold in Thailand, training rotations at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana, and Forward Observer training at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.

In 2000, he transferred to 3rd Civil Affairs Group at Camp Pendleton, where he continued serving until attaining the rank of Sergeant.

While serving in the Marine Corps Reserve, Nava began his civilian career with the Long Beach Police Department. He also attended California State University, Long Beach. Today, he continues serving the Long Beach community as a Sergeant, demonstrating his lifelong commitment to public service both in and out of uniform.

Charles Navarro, Jr. served honorably in the U.S. Air Force for 26 years after entering the Delayed Enlistment Program in March 1984. Following graduation from Sierra Vista High School in Baldwin Park, California, he completed Basic Military Training and graduated from the Munitions Systems Specialist technical training course at Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado.

Throughout his Air Force career, Navarro specialized in munitions systems management, supporting multiple fighter aircraft platforms, including the F-4 Phantom II, F-15C Eagle, F-15E Strike Eagle, F-117 Nighthawk, and F-16E. He served during five combat deployments spanning the Gulf War through Operation Enduring Freedom, ensuring the safe storage, maintenance, accountability, operations and efficiency of munitions in support of fighter wing missions.

Navarro served as the Senior Noncommissioned Officer in Charge, Munitions Element, 49th Maintenance Squadron, managing the secure storage and accountability of a large-scale munitions arsenal supporting operational readiness. As a Master Sergeant, he served as systems Superintendent assigned to the 52nd Fighter Wing's Equipment Maintenance Squadron at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. There, Navarro oversaw munitions requirements, compliance procedures, automated tracking systems, and supervised maintenance coordination, financial planning support, and interservice munitions agreements.

Dan Dilday was born in Long Beach to Richard and Dorothy Dilday. He graduated from Long Beach Polytechnic High School in 1966 and continued his education at Long Beach City College.

Dilday enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served from 1967 to 1969. As a lance corporal with the 3d Marine Division, he served in northern I Corps along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the buffer zone separating North and South Vietnam. Assigned to an M48A3 Patton tank, Dilday fought along fellow combat soldiers in battles in and around Huế, Quảng Trị, Đông Hà, Cửa Việt, and Cam Lộ. He is Tet Offensive survivor.

A fourth-generation member of the Dilday family in Long Beach, Dilday followed in the footsteps of his father and grandparents, Marie and Noble Dilday, who founded Dilday Family Mortuary in Long Beach in 1927. After graduating from the California College of Mortuary Science, he joined the family business as a funeral director. During his 54-year career, Dilday became the longest-serving member of his family in the funeral business, helping families navigate the loss of loved ones with compassion and care.

Dilday has served in various capacities with Long Beach Elks Lodge 888, the Downtown Lions Club, Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, Long Beach Independent Business Association, Long Beach Masonic Lodge 327, Long Beach Scottish Rite, El Bekal Shriners, and American Legion Post 496.

Danny O'Connell was born, raised, and educated in Long Beach. The son of an Irish immigrant and a Long Beach general building contractor, he learned the value of hard work and community service from an early age. As a youth, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout by leading improvement projects at his local elementary school.

O'Connell attended St. Anthony High School, where he excelled academically and participated in cross-country and marching band. Following graduation, he earned a congressional nomination to the United States Military Academy at West Point and graduated with a bachelor's degree in finance.

Commissioned as an U.S. Army officer, O'Connell began his military career as a Field Artillery Officer at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He also completed the U.S. Army Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia, and the Air Assault School before assignments at the Pentagon and Fort Lewis, Washington (now Joint Base Lewis-McChord).

Serving in both the Army and the U.S. Army Reserve, O'Connell completed multiple combat deployments to Iraq and retired after 26 years of military service. During his deployments, his wife and two sons remained in Long Beach, where they continued to support him throughout his military career.

O'Connell retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel, concluding a distinguished career marked by leadership, dedication, and service to his country.

Daniel E. Nead was born in Mandan, North Dakota. His family moved to Long Beach in the 1930s in search of a better life. He attended Fremont Elementary School, Jefferson Junior High School, and Woodrow Wilson High School.

Shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Nead convinced his parents to allow him to enlist in the U.S. Navy at age 17 rather than complete high school. He served aboard several Navy ships in the Pacific theater during World War II and the Korean War, most notably USS Gunston Hall (LSD-5) during World War II and USS General William Mitchell (AP-114) during the Korean War.

After World War II, Nead married and started a family. His Navy Reserve unit was later called to active duty during the Korean War. After returning from Korea, he led Cub Scout and Boy Scout troops at East Side Christian Church in Long Beach for more than 20 years. In his later years, Nead was a member of the Harbor Area Model A Club, where he volunteered in various capacities.

Darren Morrow served in the U.S. Navy and later transitioned to Space Force. Morrow’s Navy honors included two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, the Navy Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. He also earned the Enlisted Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist and Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist insignias.

After enlisting in the Navy, Morrow deployed to Afghanistan, where an initial six-month assignment was extended to approximately 10 months. During a second deployment, Morrow’s battalion deployed to Spain while he served with a detachment at Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti for approximately nine months. Thereafter, a final shipboard deployment also lasted approximately nine months.

After separating from the Navy, Morrow continued his career with five years at Space X.

David Gogue, Jr., moved to Long Beach in 1986 and graduated from Jordan High School in 1989. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served from 1989 to 1993.

Gogue was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines at Camp Horno, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. During Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Desert Sabre, he participated in combat operations that contributed to the liberation of Kuwait, including operations to secure Kuwait International Airport.

In 1999, Gogue joined the City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services, where he has served in the Environmental Health Bureau's Vector Control Program for more than 26 years. He currently serves as Acting Vector Control Supervisor, continuing his commitment to protecting the health and safety of the Long Beach community.

Navy veteran David Hubert Lloyd was stationed at Naval Station in Long Beach from 1970 to 1973 during his military service and chose to make the city his permanent home following his honorable discharge.

While attending California State University, Long Beach, Lloyd worked as a laboratory technician at Physics Department Issue Room and at the Chelsea Bookstore. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics with a minor in Mathematics in 1977 and completed additional coursework in creative writing under noted poet Gerald Locklin.

In 1980, Lloyd married and returned to California State University, Long Beach as a full-time laboratory technician. During his career, he also taught mathematics to U.S. Navy personnel aboard ships at Naval Station Long Beach and volunteered as a science and mathematics tutor for student-athletes, including future NBA players Brian Russell and Lucious Harris.

A dedicated advocate for employees, Lloyd later served as a union representative for California State University, Long Beach employees before earning an Associate of Arts degree in Labor Studies from Los Angeles City College. From 2003 to 2014, he represented employees California State Southern California campuses where he consistently secured favorable verdicts. 

Lloyd also owned Applezabba Press, an independent publishing company that published poetry and prose by numerous American writers, including Gerald Locklin, Billy Collin (U.S. Poet Laureate from 2001 to 2004), Lyn Lifshin, John Yamrus, Ray Zepeda, and Nichola Manning. He and his wife have two sons and continue to call Long Beach home.

Dr. Deedra DeCoster served in the U.S. Navy from 1986 to 1989 on the USS Prairie (AD-15). She served initially as a Boatswain's Mate Second Class (BM2) before attaining the rate of Storekeeper Third Class (SK3). Her duties included storekeeping, financial management, and administrative and personnel services, the latter of which entailed serving with the Personnel Support Detachment (at Base Los Angeles Long Beach) and the U.S. Naval Hospital Long Beach, which closed in 1994.

While assigned to USS Prairie, DeCoster completed a Western Pacific deployment that included Yokosuka, Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. USS Prairie earned the Battle Efficiency "E" Award for three consecutive years.

Following her military service, DeCoster became a dedicated advocate for veterans, serving as Commander of AMVETS Post 48 in Long Beach. She has also worked in various capacities for the State of California Employment Development Department (Long Beach office) as a disabled veterans' outreach program specialist and veterans’ services navigator as well as liaison to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ veteran readiness and employment program. She lives in Bixby Knolls.

Technical Sergeant Dennis Kee, U.S. Air Force, Retired, served from 1987 to 2008, completing four years of active-duty service and 16 years in the Air Force Reserve.

During active duty, Kee served as a Cable Antenna Systems Specialist at Kelly Air Force Base, Texas, traveling worldwide as part of an engineering and installation team responsible for installing communications systems. After completing his active-duty commitment, he joined the Air Force Reserve, where he cross-trained as a Combat Arms Instructor with the Security Police Squadron at Norton Air Force Base and March Air Force Base.

When the 4th Combat Camera Squadron was established at March Air Force Base with lineage tracing to the 1st Motion Picture Unit—where actors such as Clark Gable and Ronald Reagan produced military training films during World War II—Kee was selected to join this new Air Force Reserve unit. He cross-trained into imagery and completed his 20-year military career with the squadron.

A Long Beach resident for more than 40 years, Kee is married and has two children attending local colleges. Following his military retirement, he worked as a network engineering manager for a telecommunications company. He continues to serve the veteran community as a volunteer and is a past commander of American Legion Post 43, a life member of Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), a commander of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 309, and a past president of American Legion Riders Chapter 43.

Dennis King was born in North Platte, Nebraska, and moved to California at age three. He attended Long Beach schools and graduated from Lakewood High School, Long Beach City College, and California State University, Long Beach. Baseball became a lifelong passion during his formative years. King was a member of Lakewood High School’s 1962 CIF championship baseball team and later played for Long Beach City College.

While serving in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, King qualified for Special Services and played on a Navy baseball team in Hawaii, entertaining fellow service members. After his military service, he began a 33-year career with Long Beach Unified School District, teaching physical education and later working with at-risk students. He also coached children through summer recreation programs on school playgrounds and coached junior high school baseball for 10 years, winning two championships. Later in his career, King taught driver education for nearly 10 years at Woodrow Wilson High School.

King’s lifelong love of baseball eventually progressed from playing and coaching to officiating. He began umpiring with the Long Beach Parks and Recreation Department before advancing to high school baseball and softball. Over the years, he officiated games for players ranging from age eight to seniors in adult leagues.

King and his wife, Denise Dilday, have lived in the same Bixby Knolls home for 42 years. They have two adult children and two grandchildren.

Captain Don McMackin, U.S. Navy, Retired, served 30 years on active duty after entering as a Navy midshipman in 1976 and commissioning in 1980 through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). McMackin is a graduate of U.S. Navy Nuclear Power School and the U.S. Army Combat Advisor Training Course.

As a Surface Warfare Officer, McMackin served in the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, Korea, Kuwait, and Afghanistan. His assignments included two guided-missile cruisers, a minesweeper, a guided-missile frigate, and five Navy expeditionary commands. While assigned to Naval Station Long Beach, he served aboard USS Sides (FFG-14) and with Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Unit 105, where he served as both executive officer and commanding officer.

His decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, six Meritorious Service Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Coast Guard Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and campaign and service medals.

McMackin earned a teaching credential from California State University, Long Beach and taught NJROTC at Lakewood High School until retiring from education in 2022. He has also been a leader in the Long Beach community through Scouting America, serving as a Scoutmaster, Cubmaster, Order of the Arrow adviser, and Eagle Scout Association chair for the Long Beach Area Council. McMackin serves as a volunteer tour guide aboard Battleship USS Iowa and he and his wife remain active in their church.

Drew Lewis honorably served in the U.S. Navy from 2014 to 2023 as an Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuels), rising to the rank of Aviation Boatswain's Mate First Class (ABF1, E-6), also known as Chief Petty Officer. During his service, he was assigned to USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74), homeported at Naval Base Kitsap–Bremerton and later Naval Station Norfolk, as well as Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kāneʻohe Bay. He completed two overseas deployments in support of U.S. naval operations.

Lewis earned three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals and was recognized for outstanding leadership and performance as Sailor of the Month, Sailor of the Quarter, and Sailor of the Year in 2022.

A Long Beach native, Lewis attended Longfellow Elementary School, Hughes Middle School, and Long Beach Polytechnic High School. Following his military service, he returned home to continue his education at Long Beach City College and is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in business marketing at California State University, Long Beach.

Ed Kniss joined the U.S. Army in 1944 at age 18, leaving his family home in Rock Falls, Illinois, to serve his country during World War II. Although offered an opportunity to attend Officer Candidate School, he declined because he wanted to serve in combat alongside his fellow soldiers. Kniss served as a private first class with Company A, 255th Infantry Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division, training in intelligence and reconnaissance.

After crossing the Atlantic, Kniss entered combat in France and participated in the Battle of the Bulge. In 1945, he received the Bronze Star for bravery and heroic achievement in action. His courage under enemy fire helped save his platoon, avert casualties, and aid his fellow soldiers.

After returning home, Kniss attended North Central College in Illinois on the GI Bill, where he met Beverly Wolter of Aberdeen, South Dakota, whom he later married. Following graduation, the couple moved to Long Beach in 1954 and settled in the Los Altos neighborhood.

A talented artist and photographer, Kniss pursued postgraduate art courses at California State University, Long Beach. He and Beverly operated a small camera store in North Long Beach and later managed several Winstead Camera stores. Kniss eventually became a publicity photographer for Long Beach Unified School District and taught photography at Woodrow Wilson High School’s evening adult school.

Kniss and Beverly’s pride and joy was family, one daughter, three sons and eight grandchildren. They were longtime members of Los Altos United Church in Long Beach where they made many dear friends.

Justice Eileen Moore was appointed to the Superior Court of California in 1989 and to the California Court of Appeal in 2000. She is the author of two books: Race Results, which compares the treatment of African Americans by the U.S. Supreme Court and in Hollywood films, and Gender Results, which examines gender issues in the same contexts.

Before becoming a lawyer, Moore worked as a registered nurse and served as a combat nurse in Vietnam with the U.S. Army Nurse Corps. She is a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America.

In addition to her judicial service, Moore has spent decades supporting veterans, especially those who interact with the courts and justice system. Since 2008, she has chaired the Judicial Council’s Veterans and Military Families Subcommittee, which addresses the legal needs of veterans and military families.

Moore has received numerous awards and honors from courts, legal organizations, and civic and educational groups, including the California Judges Association’s Humanitarian Award. In 2020, she received a CalVet Trailblazer Award from the California Department of Veterans Affairs, and in 2021, she was recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs through its Women Veteran Trailblazer Initiative. She also serves on the Veterans Justice Commission, a 15-member national initiative launched by the Council on Criminal Justice in 2022 to examine veterans’ involvement in the criminal justice system and develop evidence-based policy recommendations.

Elmer Gonzalez is a proud U.S. Army veteran who served his country with honor, earning an honorable discharge after completing his active-duty service as a Field Artillery Surveyor (MOS 82C10). During his service, he earned multiple commendations, including the Army Achievement Medal (Third Award), the Good Conduct Medal, and qualifications in several weapons systems — a testament to his dedication and technical skill.

From 1996 to 1999, Elmer was stationed in Germany and assigned to the 1st Armored Division. After returning to civilian life, Elmer continued his commitment to public safety by joining the Long Beach Police Department, where he continues to serve, currently working as a Special Services Officer III and Detention Officer, bringing the same discipline and integrity from his military career into daily public service in Long Beach.

He has also served as a Board Member of the Tonita Foundation since 2017, a community organization established in memory of his mother, and participates in labor advocacy through the IAM Union Negotiations Committee.

Elmer exemplifies the values of service, resilience, and community, and his legacy in Long Beach reflects both his military pride and his dedication to the people around him.

Erika McInnis served in the U.S. Army from 2014 to 2022. McInnis was born and raised in Long Beach, attending Longfellow Elementary, Hughes Middle School and graduating from Millikan High School in 2012. She works with California Job Challenge Academy in Los Alamitos that empowers youth through career training, education and job placement opportunities.

She also volunteers at VA Long Beach, assisting veterans with accessing no-cost Certified Nursing Assistant training.

Ernesto Perez is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and dedicated public servant with longstanding ties to the Long Beach community. As a Field Radio Operator (MOS 0621), he deployed in support of Operations Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom, providing critical communications support.

His military service earned several decorations, including the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and Combat Action Ribbon.

Following his honorable discharge, Perez transitioned to a career in law enforcement and joined the Long Beach Police Department, where he has served as an officer for approximately two decades. He was recently promoted to the rank of Sergeant, providing leadership, mentorship, and guidance to fellow officers while fostering a culture of integrity and community engagement. 

Throughout both his military and law enforcement careers, Perez has remained committed to the principles of honor, service and dedication. He is grateful for the opportunities he has had to serve both his country and the city he loves: Long Beach.

George A. Trujillo enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at age 17 shortly after graduating from high school. Following recruit training and infantry training, he attended Marine Corps training in ammunition and explosive ordnance disposal at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, before deploying to Vietnam, where he served for 13 months.

After returning home, Trujillo met his wife, Patti, and the couple recently celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary. Together they raised a family and are proud parents of their son, James, and grandparents to four grandchildren. His military service, lasting marriage, and devotion to family reflect a lifetime of commitment, perseverance, and service.