Claudia Peschiutta
GLENDALE -- A 17-year-old student, a fire chief and a World War II
veteran -- these men span the spectrum of age and experience but they
have all proven themselves as patriots.
The Glendale Chamber of Commerce celebrated locals who uphold the
ideals represented by the Stars and Stripes at its 10th annual Flag Day
Luncheon on Wednesday.
The Patriot of the Year award went to Glendale Fire Chief Richard
Hinz. The department veteran received a standing ovation from the crowd
gathered in the flag-filled Hilton Glendale banquet room. "I consider
this a real honor," Hinz said. "I'm humbled by it."
Don Hanson, co-chair of the chamber committee that selected the award
winners, said Hinz was chosen for his commitment to community service.
"What is patriotism? When you get right down to it, it's more than
feelings. It's action," he said. "One of the measures of a good citizen
and patriot are the efforts one makes to improve or better the
community."
The Admiral Ben Bass Award, named after a Glendale Realtor who served
in World War II, went to a man who downplays his combat efforts.
During his time in the U.S. Army, Mark A. Doyle, 77, took part in some
of the most well-known campaigns of World War II, including the Battle of
the Bulge, and was decorated for his service.
"Mark Doyle is a five-star soldier and citizen," said Fred Whitaker,
the past Ben Bass Award recipient who introduced him.
But Doyle was humble about the honor.
"We were just ordinary people with just extraordinary challenges in
front of us," he said, adding that the real heroes were those who were
injured or killed in combat.
"These are the people who deserve the awards and medals and things,"
he said.
The Air Force Junior ROTC Cadet of the Year Award was given to Chad
Pluimer, a junior at Crescenta Valley High School who has been a leader
in his unit and performed more than 100 hours of community service.
"I feel proud that I got this award, that I can help my community," he
said.
PATRIOTIC PEOPLE
The following people were honored by the Glendale Chamber of Commerce
at its 10th annual Flag Day Luncheon.
* Patriot of the Year -- Glendale Fire Chief Richard Hinz
* Admiral Ben Bass Award -- Mark A. Doyle
* Air Force Junior ROTC Cadet of the Year Award -- Chad Pluimer
