Local Heroes

[lovemusic]

Los Lonely Boys Announce the Winner of the First Local Hero Contest: Victor Cordova. Victor, who will be recognized tonight at the Santa Fe Concert, won based on the following accomplishments:

•Served two tours with 129th Air Assault Division in Vietnam War
•Was a school teacher before and after the military
•Became recently disabled because of illness
•Devotes time to the Veteran's Center of Northern New Mexico
•Lobbies to State Legislature on behalf of veterans
•Has organized countless fundraisers even through his illness and becoming disabled
•The epitome of selfless-- helping veterans, the homeless, the church

Our warmest congratulations for this well deserved honor.

<a href="http://s227.photobucket.com/albums/dd116/belalovemusic/?action=view&current=SantaFeHero.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd116/belalovemusic/SantaFeHero.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[lovemusic]

Los Lonely Boys Announce the Winner of the Local Hero Contest for Solana Beach, CA: Arturo Weber. Arturo was recognized on Saturday, February 13 at the concert at Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, CA for the following:
• Served as a member of the United States Marine Corp in the Iraq War.
• Was shot in the back by an Iraqi sniper on April, 12, 2007.
• Has had over 90 surgeries.
• “Died” on the operating table and was brought back to life in February of 2008.
• Diagnosed with Degenerative Disk Disease and mild Schizophrenia.

Our warmest congratulations and gratitude go out to Arturo for all the sacrifices he has endured on behalf of all of us. May God bless you.

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs231.snc3/21848_306898018767_9857593767_3571036_7359853_n.jp g

[lovemusic]

Los Lonely Boys Announce the Winner of the Local Hero Contest for Anaheim, CA: Danny Nahra. Danny was recognized on Sunday, February 14 at the concert held at the Grove in Anaheim, CA. Danny, a quiet, private man, always wanted to work for the US Government. At the age of 32, he enlisted in the marines and moved his entire family to pursue this career path. He spent a year in Iraq working as contractor for the US Military. Back home, Danny is a great member of the community who is very passionate and willing to help anyone in need.

Our warmest congratulations and best wishes go out to Danny.

[cotatigirl2]

Any news on a winner for the Fillmore concert? Oh, I HOPE they picked Rick!!!!

[rizack]

Congratulations to the Local Hero winner for Los Angeles:
Joe St. Georges!

Joe is a 50 yrs old veteran firefighter, who recently rescued a German Shepherd from the Los Angeles river. Was bitten several times trying to rescue the dog... but both the dog and Joe are fine!

Click here to checkout his LA Times article. (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/01/los-angeles-firefighter-recounts-daring-dog-rescue.html)

<img src="http://www.loslonelyboys.com/img/localheroes/joestgeorges.jpg">

[rizack]

Congratulations to the fourth winner of the Local Heroes Contest: Rick Yount!

Rick has founded a program called "Paws for Purple Hearts." He is working at the Menlo Park VA to teach veterans disabled by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) how to train Service Dogs that will be used by their brother and sister veterans who come back from Iraq and Afghanistan with mobility impairments. The PTSD vets gain self confidence from training the dogs; the mobility-impaired vets gain a dog to help them with their daily lives. Talk about a win-win situation! Rick has been the heart and soul of this program, and has built it almost single-handedly, supported by Bergin University of Canine Studies.

Here is a link to a newscast about his work:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#27792698

[rizack]

The winner of the Local Heroes Contest for Sparks, Nevada is: Cpl. Mick R. Beckowski. Mick enlisted and was determined and proud to serve his country and to fight for our freedom. He earned several Field Promotions, was an excellent field leader, and earned a Sword which is now displayed in his father's home. Just two months before he was to come home from his second tour of duty in Iraq, Mick was killed in action in Felusia, Iraq by a car bombing.

The award was accepted by Mick's father, Brian Bekowski.

Thank you to Cpl. Mick R. Beckowski and his family.

[Belle]

Man, make me cry and be so proud at the same time!

Thank you, Mike!

[desertgirl7]

Congratulations to the Local Hero winner for Los Angeles:
Joe St. Georges!

Joe is a 50 yrs old veteran firefighter, who recently rescued a German Shepherd from the Los Angeles river. Was bitten several times trying to rescue the dog... but both the dog and Joe are fine!

Click here to checkout his LA Times article. (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/01/los-angeles-firefighter-recounts-daring-dog-rescue.html)

<img src="http://www.loslonelyboys.com/img/localheroes/joestgeorges.jpg">

Congratulations, Joe, what a brave man you are. Thank you for your service as a fire fighter. I didn't see this Local Hero listed on the LLB FaceBook pages - was it on there?

[lovemusic]

Congratulations, Joe, what a brave man you are. Thank you for your service as a fire fighter. I didn't see this Local Hero listed on the LLB FaceBook pages - was it on there?

It was NOT for some reason.

[rizack]

On the Facebook page, click on the "Local Heroes" tab at the top of the page to see the list of all of the current winners. Thanks everyone for your support!

[lovemusic]

Thanks for updating the info and creating a new tab. It looks great.

[rizack]

A picture of the boys with Cpl Mick Bekowski's father, Brian Bekowski, as he accepts the award on his behalf at the Sparks, NV show.


<img src="http://www.loslonelyboys.com/img/localheroes/brianbekowski.JPG" width="600">

[rizack]

Los Lonely Boys Announce the Winner of the Portland Local Hero Contest: Delia Vega. Delia was recognized for her outstanding efforts with her family and in her community, including:

- Taking care of their whole family and household, great wife and mother
- Walking her 8yr old son to and from school everyday
- Volunteers at the school to help kids having trouble
- Frequently helps people in the neighhorhood with things they need
- Always helps those in need, always a smile, never complains.

Congratulations and thank you Delia!

<img src="http://www.loslonelyboys.com/img/localheroes/deliavega.JPG" width="600">

[rizack]

Los Lonely Boys Announce the Winner of the Seattle Local Hero Contest: Lt. Col James Given USMC (Retired). Jim was recognized for his outstanding efforts over a lifetime of service to our country and his community, including:

- Served four tours in Vietnam as a CH-53 Helo pilot, including serving as a flight leader for the evacuation of Saigon

- Serves as an officer in Rotary chapters throughout Washington state

- Currently serves as President of the Marine Corps Support Group which is based in Seattle but serves Marines throughout Washington state

- Has a massive flag collection of all 50 states and several countries, which he provides free of charge for use by schools, colleges, veterans groups, etc

- He gives selflessly of his time to honor our country and its veterans, educating both students and citizens on this history of "Old Glory"

Congratulations and thank you to Lt. Col James Givan!

<img src="http://www.loslonelyboys.com/img/localheroes/JimGivan.JPG">

[rizack]

The winner for the Local Heroes Contest for Grand Junction, CO is: Carol Charrier. Carol was recognized for her care and compassion serving folks in her local community, such as:

- Carol is a pharmacist. We're told she is one of the most helpful pharmacists you will ever meet!
- She has been known to call doctors for cheaper medicine prescriptions for the poor & elderly.
- She is very concerned about the abuse of prescription drugs as well as over prescribing done by some doctors. She has done more than her share to help people with this problem.
- She goes out of her way to help patients receive the medications they need at the best price.
- She brings a smile to all who work with her and to everyone she meets.

Thank you and congratulations to Carol!

[rizack]

The winner for the Local Heroes Contest for Beaver Creek, CO is: David Vinatieri. David was recognized for his service to our country, his family and community, including:

- Dave is in the USAF, he has deployed 11 times in his 16 years of service
- Dave puts his family and country first and himself last
- He has raised 3 young men to be the best at whatever they do
- Dave stands tall for the little people, the under dogs, the group that needs a voice
- There are no exact words to describe David, the kids call him DAD!

Congratulations and thank you David!

<img src="http://www.loslonelyboys.com/img/localheroes/davidvinatieri.jpg" width="400">

[rizack]

The winner of the Local Heroes Contest for Colorado Springs is: Christine Medina. Christine was recognized for her efforts promoting social equity in her community, including:

- Leading the Latina Democrats of the Pikes Peak Region
- Initiating a Colorado Springs chapter of the Colorado Latino Forum
- Fighting for re-instatement of 118 students to the YMCA for summertime activity
- Facilitating the involvement of high school students in the Minority Student Summit
- On top of all this she is a single parent completing her Masters degree

Thank you and congratulations Christine!

<img src="http://www.loslonelyboys.com/img/localheroes/ChristineMedina.JPG" width="400">

[rizack]

The winner of the Local Heroes Contest for St. Charles, MO is: Brent Unger. Brent was recognized for extraordinary volunteer efforts and commitment to his community, including:

- He works for MU AFROTC and the AF Academy
- His goal is to help others achieve their full potential both mentally and physically.
- He spends countless hours mentoring, volunteering, supporting, and inspiring others.
- His favorite phrase is “Leadership by Example” and he lives as he leads.
- He has helped United Way, Relay for Life, and the AF cadets with community service.
- He is a past Ops Director for the Central MO Food Bank.
- He volunteered at both Ground Zero and Hurricane Katrina.
- In addition to his charitable work, he is a marathon runner.

Congratulations and thank you Brent!

<img src="http://www.loslonelyboys.com/img/localheroes/BrentUnger.jpg" width="400">