Politics & Government
Know A Lake Elsinore Hero? Nominate Them For Medal of Valor
"The [RivCo Medal of Valor] shall be awarded to an individual who distinguishes herself or himself by valorous conduct at the risk of life."
RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Riverside County officials announced Tuesday that nominations are now being accepted for prospective recipients of the county Medal of Valor, which can be bestowed upon any resident -- civilian, active duty or former military -- for acts of heroism or distinction during which the recipient put his or her life in peril.
The Board of Supervisors unanimously authorized establishment of the medal in December at the request of Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. No one has received the accolade to date.
"Establishing the Riverside County Medal of Valor will help recognize any private citizen, public employee ... veterans, military personnel currently serving our nation in federal or state military service and others deemed deserving," Perez wrote in December. "The medal shall be awarded to an individual who distinguishes herself or himself by valorous conduct at the risk of life."
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The medal shares aspects of the certificates of valor established under the Military Veterans Recognition Act of 2013, sponsored by then- Supervisor Jeff Stone, under the watch of then-county Military Affairs Commissioner Tom Freeman, who is currently Perez's chief policy adviser.
The certificates are awarded primarily to current and former military personnel who have already received recognition from the U.S. Department of Defense for acts of distinction, though certificates can also be issued to residents who have received any one of several medals from California martial authorities.
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As with the certificates, a person must be nominated to receive a Medal of Valor, which can be awarded posthumously.
The Department of Human Resources is accepting nominations, and those submissions deemed legitimate will be forwarded to the board for review and approval.
Nominations can be submitted online via rc-hr.com/medal-of-valor, or mailed to Riverside County Human Resources, seventh floor, 4080 Lemon St., Riverside, 92501.
Once a nominee has been selected and approved by the board, a date, time and location will be established for the award ceremony.
— By City News Service / Image via Shutterstock
