This year, awards were presented during a celebration at Windmill House in Chino Valley.
The sixth annual event recognizes those who have served in uniform and who continue to give back to their communities through volunteering in the Quad Cities area. Heroes are honored in five categories: military (active, reserve or veteran), first responder (any agency; active or retired), military spouse, first responder spouse, and organization.
This year, awards were presented during a celebration at Windmill House in Chino Valley. The evening included dinner and a keynote speech by retired U.S. Navy Seal Captain and former Deputy Assistant Director of Defense John Burnham. Prescott Police Chief Amy Bonney and Prescott Fire Chief Holger Durre presented the awards.
The first Heroes Among Us event took place in 2016, with a break in 2020 and 2021 because of the pandemic. Founder and Executive Director Cristi Silverberg-Rose created the awards event after she noticed how veterans and first responders continue to give of themselves outside of uniform. “They have a servant’s heart no matter what situation they’re in,” she said. “I felt that needed to be honored.”
Each potential hero is nominated by a community member, and each is reviewed by a committee. “In most circumstances, those who are honored have been given awards for their professional service but not necessarily for their volunteer service,” Silverberg-Rose said. “I think seeing how passionate the honorees are about giving back to the community encourages them and others to give their time to the community outside the uniform.”
One notable Heroes Among Us award winner in the past included the 2022 recipient of the Lt. Col. David Weir Military Award. Silverberg-Rose said Chuck Fulton, USAF (ret.) was a highly decorated Vietnam War pilot who began doing Honor Flights after he retired, flying wounded warriors and their families either to treatment or back home. He used his own plane and fuel and gave because of his passion for his fellow veterans, especially the younger veterans who served in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.
“He was so honored and humbled to be recognized for this service that just came natural to him. It was awesome to see his reaction,” Silverberg-Rose said.
Another Lt. Col. David G. Weir Award winner in 2019 was Air Force Veteran Don Packard, who with his therapy dogs, Sailor and Jake, regularly visited hospitals, was an evaluator for Pet Partners, and served on the Prescott Valley Historical Society Board, the Prescott Valley Policy Advisory Board and as a Prescott Valley Councilmember. Packard still visits hospitals with Jake, Sailor has passed on. QCBN
By Heidi Dahms Foster, QCBN
The 2023 Heroes Among Us Award Honorees:
David G. Weir Military Award:
Charlie Koon
This year, two veterans received the David G. Weir Military Award. The first was Charlie Koon, an Air Force veteran who is making a difference helping veterans struggling with PTSD, leading Grief Share and serving as Chaplain for the Prescott Police Department. The humble Koon pointed to his fighter pilot son, who was in the audience, as the true hero.
David G. Weir Military Award:
George Morse
The second veteran honored with the David G. Weir Military Award was George Morse, an Air Force veteran. Morse used his own plane, time and finances to transport organs to needy patients through the Angel Flight program.
Delissa G. Blair Military Spouse Award: Cathy Koon
The honoree for the Delissa G. Blair Military Spouse Award was Cathy Koon, Air Force veteran spouse. Koon, has spent much of the last 20 years leading Grief Share, leading groups for wives of combat veterans and staying involved in her church.
Sgt. Rick Lopez First Responder Award: Paige LeForte
Two were also honored this year for the Sgt. Rick Lopez First Responder Award. The first was Paige LeForte who heads up the Crisis Intervention Unit at Spectrum Healthcare. LaForte goes above and beyond to care for those in crisis, and her staff.
Sgt. Rick Lopez First Responder Award: John Hanna
The second honoree for the First Responder Award was Detective John Hanna of the Prescott Police Department. Hanna serves as a coach for Youth Football and Little League.
First Responder Spouse Award:
April Hepperle
April Hepperle, wife of Prescott Valley Police Officer Matt Hepperle, was named the First Responder Spouse Award. Hepperle serves on the Prescott Valley Town Council, volunteers for outreach events with MatForce and First Things First, and the Prescott Valley Teen Library LARP live action role playing event. She is the president-elect of the Kiwanis Club of Prescott Valley, where she serves on both the club and foundation boards. A proponent of early literacy, she founded the non-profit organization, A Storybook World, Inc., that brings interactive book-based experiences to children and families.
Organization Hero: Mike and Angela Boitnott – Veteran Crane Construction
The honor for Organization Hero Among Us went to Veteran Crane Construction, owned by Mike and Angela Boitnott. The Boitnotts continue to make a positive impact in the community through their time, talent and financial support. Among many other things, they are in the top tier of sponsors for the rodeo and major supporters of the FFA.
Courtesy Photo: Cathy Koon, who has led Grief Share for spouses of combat veterans for two decades, received the Delissa G. Blair Military Spouse Award.
Leave a Reply