News release
The Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce has announced the honorees for the 16th Annual Salute to Patriots, recognizing local veterans whose contributions continue to strengthen the Santa Clarita Valley business community.
The chamber invites businesses, residents, and community leaders to join in celebrating this year’s honorees on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 4 p.m. at the SCV Senior Center at Bella Vida.
Salute to Patriots recognizes the connection between the military service and the leadership veterans bring to civilian life, said a news release from the chamber. “Through entrepreneurship, professional achievement, mentorship, and community involvement, veterans help build businesses, support their colleagues, and create opportunities for others. Honoring these contributions gives the community a chance to learn their stories and thank them for the difference they make close to home.”
“Behind every honoree is a story of service that deserves to be heard,” Di Thompson, chair of the SCV Chamber board, said in the release. “This celebration gives us an opportunity to recognize how veterans carry that commitment into their careers and their communities. We hope our neighbors and business leaders will join us in showing these veterans how much their contributions mean to the Santa Clarita Valley.”
This year’s honorees are:
• Camille Applin-Jones – U.S. Army.
• Thomas Cadman – U.S. Army.
• Enrique Conchas – U.S. Marine Corps.
• Nick Cottrill – U.S. Army.
• Frank Gilhuys – U.S. Air Force.
• Gerald Albert Rhodes – U.S. Army.
• Harold Schrage – U.S. Navy.
• Leslie G. Wiggins – U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force.
“The veterans we are honoring represent the very best of who we are as a community,” Ivan Volschenk, president/CEO of the SCV Chamber, said in the release. “Their service to our country is a profound part of their story, but it is not the end of it. They continue to lead, to serve, to mentor, to build businesses, to support their neighbors, and to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. These honorees remind us that the true measure of service is not only what we give in a moment of sacrifice, but what we continue to give throughout our lives. It is our privilege to recognize these remarkable individuals, celebrate the impact they are making right here in the Santa Clarita Valley, and ensure that their contributions are seen, their stories are shared, and their legacy of service inspires the next generation.”
Tickets ($50 chamber members, $60 non-members) are available at www.scvchamber.com/events. Sponsorship opportunities are also available; contact [email protected] for information.
