GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – Local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5731 honored local community members for their outstanding service at their annual VFW Past Commander Dinner and Awards Ceremony held Friday, March 16^th.

Local woman and Assistant Activities Coordinator and Leadership Advisor at Gridley High School, Annette Boone was honored as “Citizen of the Year” and received a plaque commemorating her efforts to help victims of the Camp Fire and Veterans who lost their homes in the blaze. Boone was one of the driving forces behind the organization of the original Camp Fire Distribution Center located in the Community Center across from the Red Cross Shelter, which was operational just 2 days after the fire broke out. She continues to work with those displaced by the fire. In an online post, Boone stated, “What a special surprise for me. Thank you so much Cheyenne (Commander of VFW Post 5731) for being a big part of me receiving this award. When I call you, you too have been right there to help our Veterans. I love helping people. Thank you Gridley Veterans of Foreign Wars for honoring us all. One person at a time and one day at a time.” Additionally, 80 Gridley High School Students from the Leadership Class, FFA and other school organizations were honored for their work assisting during the Camp Fire Disaster, which included working at the Distribution Center lead by Boone, the Red Cross Shelter and the NVADG Animal Shelter.

Two Gridley High School Students who took part in the Voice of Democracy essay contest, a yearly nation-wide campaign for students in grades 9-12, were awarded monetary prizes and Certificates of Achievements for their essays on this year’s theme, “Why my vote matters.” Ms. Grace Burke took first place with Alex Gonzales being recognized as Runner-Up. Patriots Pen Essay Contest Winner, Kendall Scmidd from Sutter Peak Charter Academy received an award for his work on this year’s theme “What does freedom mean to me.” The Patriots Pen Essay Contest is also part of the yearly VFW essay campaign and encourages students from grades 6-8 to express their views on patriotic matters.

Gridley native Dustin Mattos, Cal Fire Fire Apparatus Engineer at Gridley's Station 74 was awarded “Fireman of the Year.” When we reached out to Mattos for comment on the honor he said, “I'd like to say thank you to the VFW for everything that you do for the community and this award. I enjoy being a fireman in the town I have lived in all my life and it's easy to go to work when I work with such great people. I also have to thank my wife, who acts like a single mom for the 72 hours straight that I am gone at work.”

Among others honored by the Post 5731 were Biggs Elementary School Teacher, Tyler Rutledge, for “Teacher of the Year”. VFW member George Hiralez took the award for “Past Commander VFW Post 5731” and the “VFW Member of the Year” went to Ed Kawasaki. Gridley-Biggs Police Officer Jim Roberts was honored for his service as “Police Officer of the Year.”