HOST A MERITORIOUS MARINE
Meritorious Marine Program
Established by Charles Sooter
Each month, a 1st CEB Marine is selected by the Battalion to be honored by the City of Cerritos and receive a proclamation from the mayor or city council member. The Marine and his guest receive a complimentary overnight stay at the Cerritos Sheraton Hotel, as well as gift cards provided by local restaurants. They also receive tickets to the Cerritos Performing Arts Center (CCPA) or to an Angels baseball game. Their host takes them on a mini-tour of the Cerritos Civic Center, including the Library, Sculpture Garden and occasionally the Sheriff's Station.
Meritorious Marine for January 2024
Lance Corporal Alejandro Garcia
Engineer Support Company, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion
Councilmember Chuong Vo, Janet Beach ,Gregg Florence (Quilts of Valor), Angelica Garcia (Mother), L/Cpl Alejandro Garcia, Jennifer Garcia (Sister), George Ray (Former Mayor), Laurie Forward, and Daisy Lagasca.
Meritorious Marine for February 2024
Corporal Kedrick Weis
Headquarters & Support (H&S) Company,
1st Combat Engineer Battalion
Daisy Lagasca, Gregg Florence (Quilts of Valor), George Ray, Mayor Bruce Barrows, Cpl Kedrick Weis, Janet Beach, Laurie Forward, El Pidio Andrion, and Cpl Roman Lopez (Marine guest).
Meritorious Marine for March 2024
Corporal Charles F. Koons
Alpha Company, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion
Jeri Florence (Quits of Valor), Laurie Forward, Connie Edwards, Mayor Bruce Barrows, Cpl. Charles Koons, Mayor Pro Tem Naresh Solanki, George Ray, Diane Searer, Gregg Florence (Quilts of Valor), and El Pidio Andrion.
Meritorious Marine for April 2024
Lance Corporal Luis A. Villalobos-Alba
1st Combat Engineer Battalion, Bravo Company
Jeri Florence (Quilts of Valor), L/Cpl James Fairly, Cpl Tyler Howard, Daisy Lagasca, El Pidio Andrion, Mayor Naresh Solanki, L/Cpl Luis Villalobos-Alda, L/Cpl Jack Miller, George Ray, Connie Edwards, Laurie Forward, and Nayos Thammaraks.
Meritorious Marine for May 2024
Corporal Yovanni Cruz-Calderon
Combat Engineer, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion
Mayor Pro Tem Chuong Vo • Mayor Naresh Solanki
Cpl Yovanni Cruz-Calderon
Memorial Day. •. May 27, 2024
Meritorious Marine for June 2024
Sergeant Talal A. Yordi
1st Combat Engineer Battalion, Bravo Company
Jeri Florence (Quilts of Valor), Diane Searer, George Ray, Gregg Florence (Quilts of Valor), Daisy Lagasca, Sgt Talal Yordi with wife Anita and baby Layla, Councilman Frank Yokoyama, El Pidio Andrion, Janet Beach, Joanne Witt, and Laurie Forward.
Meritorious Marine for July 2024
Corporal Anthony Colon
1st Combat Engineer Battalion, Alpha Company
Connie Edwards, Diane Searer, Jeri and Greg Florence (Quilts of Valor), Corporal Anthony Colon and wife Leandrea, Janet Beach, Kammie Ngo, Laurie Forward, Daisy Lagasca, and George Ray .
Want to Host
a Meritorious Marine ?
Who may be a Host:
Individual, Business or Community Organization
Time Involved: Approximately 1 1/2 hours
When: A Saturday morning
Cost: None
1. At 11:00 am, meet Chuck Sooter, Meritorious Marine Chair, and Meritorious Marine in the Sheraton Cerritos lobby
2. Chuck Sooter explains the events to the Meritorious Marine as the Host listens
3. Walk outside to the Fountain Court with Meritorious Marine, his/her guest and Chuck Sooter for Proclamation presentation at 11:30 am by one or more Cerritos City Councilmembers
4. As Host, be recognized in a separate photo with Meritorious Marine
5. Conduct a mini-walking tour of Cerritos Civic Center with Meritorious Marine and guest. Tour includes:
a. Veterans Memorial at Civic Center
b. Library with walk through each area
c. Tour of Cerritos Sheriff's station (if previously arranged may be guided by a Deputy Sheriff)
d. Walk through Sculpture Garden
e. While seated in the Sculpture Garden with the
Meritorious Marine and guest, explain that this
concludes the formalities of the welcome to Cerritos.
Now Meritorious Marine and guest are free to enjoy
the remainder of their weekend in Cerritos.
Benefits of a Host:
Opportunity to personally meet and say thank you to a brave young man or woman who is in service to our country
Recognition as a volunteer in the community
How to be a Host: Contact Chuck Sooter, chucksooter@hotmail.com 562-860-8174
Meritorious Marine for August 2024
Sergeant Luke Morris
Alpha Company, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion
Nayos Thammaraks, Kammie Ngo, Connie Edwards, Jeri Florence (SoCal Quilts of Valor), Sadie Maydahl (girlfriend), Sgt Luke Morris, Mayor Naresh Solanki, Diane Searer, Laurie Forward, and El Pidio Andrion.
Meritorious Marine for September 2024
Sergeant Javier Soto
1st CEB Headquarters & Service Company
Emma Perez, Daisy Lagasca, Alex Perez, Mayor Pro Tem Chuong Vo, Diane Searer, Jeri Florence (SoCal Quilts of Valor), Sgt Javier Soto, Lili (wife), 8-month-old daughter, Gregg Florence, Laurie Forward, Connie Edwards, Kammie Ngo, and George Ray.
Meritorious Marine for October 2024
Corporal Brandon Leasure
1st Squad Leader, 2nd Platoon,
Mobile Assault Company
Cpl Brandon Leasure and Mayor Pro Tem Chuong Vo
Meritorious Marine for November 2024
Corporal Nicolas Cervera
1st Combat Engineer Battalion, Charlie Company
Mayor Pro Tem Chuong Vo, LtCol Tyrone Barrios, Cpl Nicolas Cervera, Mayor Naresh Solanki, Councilmember Lynda Johnson, and Councilmember Frank Yokoyama.
Meritorious Marine for December 2024
Navy Corpsman, HM3 Tyler J. Poisson
1st Combat Engineer Battalion
Daisy Lagasca, Alex Perez, Elpidio Andrion, Councilman Bruce Barrows, Rachel (wife) and HM3 Poisson, George Ray, Greg Florence, Laurie Forward, Jennifer Hong, Jerri Florence, and Tommy Schwartz.
Meritorious Marine for February 2025
Lance Corporal Simon Karsky
1st Combat Engineer Battalion
Daisy Lagasca, Gregg Florence (Quilts of Valor), Charles Sooter (President), L/Cpl Simon Karsky, Mayor Naresh Solanki, Diane Searer, Hanna Karsky), George Ray, Jerri Florence (Quilts of Valor), Laurie Forward, and Alexander Perez.