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 2023
Navy Corpsman HM2 Nicolas F. Vasta
Supervising Corpsman of the 1st CEB Medical Aid Station
CJ Villaluna, Janet Beach, Elizabeth Kelley, Diane Searer (President of 1st CEB Adoption Committee), Sherman Kappe, Cerritos Mayor Chuong Vo, HM2 Nicolas Vasta, wife Sierra Vasta, George Ray, Daisy Lagasca, Connie Edwards and Kammie Ngo.
Meritorious Marine for February 2023
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
Corporal Preston Beverly
Charlie Company, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion
Daisy Lagasca, Diane Searer (President of 1st CEB Adoption Committee), Cerritos Mayor Chuong Vo, Laurie Forward, Cpl Preston Beverly and girlfriend, Kammie Ngo, George Ray, Connie Edwards, Richard Alegria, Janet Beach, Elizabeth Kelley and Chuck Sooter's grandchildren.
Meritorious Marine for March 2023
Sergeant Jonathan A. Quemuel
Alpha Company, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion
Daisy Lagasca, City Manager Art Gallucci, Janet Beach, Councilman Naresh Solanki, Karissa Nunez, Marine guest, Sgt Jonathan Quemuel, Mayor Chuong Vo, Arianna Nunez, Diane Searer (President of the 1st CEB Adoption Committee), Mary Anne Wood, George Ray, Laurie Forward, Allen Wood, Elizabeth Kelley, Connie Edwards, CJ Villaluna, and Tracey Heidner.
Meritorious Marine for April 2023
Lance Corporal Hensel Estrada-Canales
1st Combat Engineer Battalion
Daisy Lagasca, Elizabeth Kelley, Mayor Bruce Barrows, Laurie Forward, Janet Beach, USMC L/Cpl Diego Mendoza (guest), L/Cpl Hensel Estrada-Canales, Connie Edwards, Councilmember Naresh Solanki, Councilmember Frank Aurelio Yokoyama, Chris Tierheimer, Mary Ann Tierheimer, George Ray, and Sherman Kappe (host).
Meritorious Marine for May 2023
Meritorious Marine for June 2023
Lance Corporal Brandon W. Allbrooks
Engineer Support Company, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion
Councilmember Chuong Vo, CA Assemblymember for District 67 Sharon Quirk-Silva, Meritorious Marine Lance Corporal Brandon Allbrooks, 1st CEB SgtMaj Marshall Cleveland, and Mayor Pro Tem Naresh Solanki.
US Navy Hospitalman Third Class (HM3)
Jesse T. Gilbert
George Ray, Elizabeth Kelley, Daisy Lagasca, Mayor Bruce Barrows, HM3 Jesse T. Gilbert, daughters Eliana (7 yrs) and Nova (1 yr), Alisha Gilbert (wife), Councilmember Chuong Vo, Kammie Ngo, and El Pidio Andrion.
Meritorious Marine for July 2023
Corporal Ryan Bell
Bravo Company, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion
Jim & Cyndi Gunter and granddaughter Anna Leigh, Daisy Lagasca, Diane Searer (President of the 1st CEB Adoption Committee), Mayor Bruce Barrows, Cpl Alexander Taylor, Cpl Ryan Bell, Councilman Naresh Solanki, George Ray, Laurie Forward, Connie Edwards, and Elizabeth Kelley.
Meritorious Marine for August 2023
Corporal Jarod Crisman
Mobility Assault Company, 1st CEB
Chris Tierheimer, Barbara Winkler, Councilman Chuong Vo, Connie Edwards, George Ray, Kammie Ngo, Diane Searer (President of the 1st CEB Adoption Committee), Laurie Forward, Elizabeth Kelley, Janet Beach, Mayor Pro-Tem Naresh Solanki, Scott and Bev Demoray, SSgt Gianmarco Parnell and his wife Sgt Daniella Parnell, and Lt Maria Peurach.