Riverside County To Honor 'Extraordinary' Veterans

The Board of Supervisors today approved the creation of certificates to recognize Riverside County residents who have received medals for bravery or other acts of distinction while serving in the U.S. armed forces.

"I felt it was appropriate to have a veterans recognition award for veterans of wars past and present," said Supervisor Jeff Stone, who introduced the Military Veterans Recognition Act. "We as a board strongly support veterans programs. I believe we don't do enough for our veterans. We should do whatever we can at the local level to recognize and help our service members."

The supervisor said the sacrifices of those who have served and continue to serve "to protect our country and freedoms" must be memorialized. He noted the loss today of six U.S. soldiers who were attacked by Taliban insurgents after their helicopter crashed in southern Afghanistan. It wasn't immediately clear whether any of the men were from California.

"This (county) program provides a noble way of recognizing our service people," Stone said.

He said the MVRA would permit any supervisor, the county CEO or other Executive Office official to present framed certificates of praise in recognition of "valor or distinguished service" by former and active-duty soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines.

Individuals who received any of the following will be eligible for an MVRA certificate of valor: the Medal of Honor, Silver Star, Navy Cross, Bronze Star, Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross, Airman's Medal, Air Medal, California National Guard Medal of Valor and California National Guard Military Cross.

Stone said county residents will be eligible to receive an MVRA distinguished service certificate if they earned any of the following: Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal-Order of California, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal and the California National Guard Medal of Merit.

Certificates could be awarded posthumously if necessary, Stone said, adding that formal presentations should take place in "suitable ceremonies and locations," unless the recipient or his family would just as soon dispense with formalities.

Certificates will bear the signatures of each board member, as well as the county CEO, according to Stone.

More information is available through the supervisor's office, which can be reached at (951) 955-1030. 

Stone represents the cities of Temecula and Murrieta, among other local jurisdictions. --City News Service