The Murrieta Rotary has selected four Heroes for special recognition during the 2017 Field of Honor, which will be staged in Murrieta’s Town Square Park, November 4-11. These Heroes were nominated by friends and acquaintances for their Service Above Self. They will be honored at the Veteran’s Lunch on Mon. Nov. 6, and the Patriots Ball on Sat. Nov. 11. Both events are being held at the Field of Honor.
ALL FROM THE HEART: Honoring local military families is the overriding mission of this nonprofit which started in 2003. Each year it has hosted a Support Our Troops holiday season event. Some 100 family members living with special circumstances are invited to celebrate with gifts, music, a barbeque and a visit from a Harley-riding Santa. Wheels for Warriors, another of the group’s projects, gifts power wheelchairs and scooters to assist any veteran who needs the freedom to live life more fully. Over 400 power chairs have been presented so far and another eight will be presented this November. Judy Harter, founder and president of All from The Heart, is the mother of four children and the long-time partner of a Vietnam veteran.
JUAN DOMINGUEZ: This Marine Corporal became famous here in Southwest Riverside County five years ago when he was handed the keys to a smart home, thanks to actor Gary Sinese and the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Juan, who lost both legs and his right arm in Afghanistan, he has been busy giving back to help others like himself. Juan is an ambassador for the Gary Sinese Foundation, vice president of WarFighter Made and an increasingly in-demand musician, who taught himself to play the drums and the piano.
DON “DONNIE” SIMPSON – A lifetime Hemet resident, Simpson was awarded the Silver Star for valor this year, 50 years after his action in the Vietnam War for which the medal was awarded. Army rifleman and radiotelephone operator, Simpson was part of an 18-man reconnaissance team helicopter-dropped into the coastal area known as Bong Son where they came under heavy enemy fire. With bullets whizzing over his head and nipping at his uniform, and in a prone position, he radioed for help and successfully directed an airstrike on the enemy. Drafted at age 19 in 1966, Simpson served many combat missions in Vietnam before being honorably discharged in 1968.
HOWARD J. TAIT: Retired after 23 years of brave service, Master Sergeant Tait experienced 11 deployments, four in combat and two unexpected diversions to Sri Lanka and Japan, for humanitarian assistance during Tsunamis. In 2011, while traveling back home, his group of Marines were among the first responders to help the devastated citizens on Osuna Island after the earthquake and tsunami. He took 65 servicemen onto the island for 10 days of humanitarian assistance. As they were leaving, island residents gathered on the shore stretching a ribbon to the Marines in a symbol of bonds never broken. A year later, he deployed for an 11-month tour in Afghanistan where his group encountered numerous small arms and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attacks.
Rotary is a non-profit organization of professionals and leaders in the local community who volunteer to improve the community and world. The Murrieta club meets every Monday, except national holidays, at Richie’s Diner, 40651 Murrieta Hot Springs Road in Murrieta.
