VETERAN OF THE YEAR
Community Outreach Recognition Program of:
The Veterans Museum & Memorial Center
San Diego County Veteran of the Year
Program History
It is known that military veterans are excellent employees and citizens. They have outstanding work habits, are
motivated, readily accept responsibility, and are team players. The "Veteran of the Year"
program, established to recognize the contributions of Veterans to the San Diego community has selected a
"San Diego County Veteran of the Year" since 1989. In 2001, the program expanded to encourage many
civic, government, corporate, and service organizations to honor their veterans by selecting their "Veteran
of the Year". From the pool of these selected Veterans of the Year, only one is honored as the "San
Diego County Veteran of the Year", showing that the veterans contribute greatly to the morale of the work
force, perform well in their duties, volunteer in the community and are good citizens. This program of the
Veteran Museum & Memorial Center recognizes our heroes who continue to serve and contribute as our
friends and neighbors.
Our program also honors one for-profit corporation with the "San Diego Meritorious
Support of Veterans Award" and one non-profit agency/ organization with the "San Diego Veterans
Allegiance Award" that contributes, supports and serves active duty personnel and Veterans in San Diego
County. These awards and the San Diego County Veteran of the Year are announced at the "Veteran
of the Year Recognition Luncheon". The SDCVOY will represent the Veteran Community at special events;
Padre games, parades and other special ceremonies.
In 2012 twenty-five organizations selected their Veterans of the Year, with all selected
Veterans recognized for the esteemed designation as "Veteran of the Year" representing business,
municipal, educational, industrial and organizational elements in San Diego County. Eight (8) organizations and
corporations were nominated for support awards. The Veterans Museum & Memorial Center invites your
participation in our community outreach and recognition "Veteran of the Year" program for
2012.
The 2012 Veteran of the Year judges selected Ron Stark and Tony Stewart as Co-Veterans of
the Year for the 2012-2013 year. The 2012 Allegiance Award was presented to the Armed Forces YMCA and the
2012 Meritorious Support Award was presented to Life Technologies of Carlsbad.
Two special Life Time Achievement Awards were presented to Stuart Hedley, Pearl Harbor
Survivors Association, Carnation Chapter 3, and to Brigadier General Robert Cardenas, USAF/Ret for their many
years of service and significant achievements on behalf of Veterans.
SAVE THE DATE! – 08 NOVEMBER 2013
| San Diego County Veterans of the Year |
2012 - Ron Stark &
Tony Stewart
2011 - David Dickey
2010 - Waldo Joe Brunner
2009 - Virgil Whitehead
2008 - Allen Miliefsky
2007 - Nancy Owen &
Bobby Price
2006 - Robert White |
2005 - Bill Paxton
2004 - John Smith
2003 - Darcy Pavich
2002 - Robert Cardenas
2001 - Frank Burger
2000 - Walter Mikulich
1999 - Pete Houben
1998 - Dan Kreyling
1997 - Bill Ayers |
1996 - Moses Long
1995 - Chester Swisher
1994 - Robert White
1993 - Dominick Frankville
1992 - Robert Cox
1991 - Randy "Duke" Cunningham
1990 - Richard & Ruby Lewis
1989 - Ed Struiksma |
San Diego County Corporation of the Year
"San Diego Meritorious Support of Veterans Award" |
2012 - Life Technologies
2011 - Kratos Defense Systems
2010 - Qualcomm
2009 - Pure Bio Science
2008 - Old Town Trolley
2007 - BAE Systems
2006 - Dignity Memorial - Glen Abbey
2005 - San Diego Padres
2004 - Home Depot
2003 - Sears
2002 - City of Chula Vista
2001 - Dignity Memorial - Service Corporation International |
San Diego County Non-Profit of the Year
"San Diego Veterans Allegiance Award" |
2012 - Armed Forces YMCA
2011 - Freedom Station USA and - Honor Flight – San Diego
2010 - Marine Corps League Bulldog Detachment
2009 - Disabled American Veterans
2008 - Navy Nurse Corps Association
2007 - City of Chula Vista
2006 - United Veterans Council
2005 - San Diego Bulldog Detachment #385 - Marine Corps League
2004 - Chula Vista Veterans Home Support Foundation
2003 - Vietnam Veterans of San Diego |
| Veteran Life Time Achievement Awards |
2012 – Robert Cardenas & Stuart Hedley
2011 - Oscar Polster & Pete Houven
2010 - CAPT Jack Ensch &
Pearl Harbor Survivors Chapter 3
2009 - Thomas Richards – presented by Veterans Museum & Memorial Center
2008 - No award presented
2007 - No award presented
2006 - Will Hays - Presented by United Veterans Council
2005 - John Ibe - Presented by Veterans Museum & Memorial Center
2004 - Alex Kapitanski - Presented by Veterans Museum & Memorial Center |
