Voice of OC has published a series in our opinion section of some of Orange County’s most notable veterans who received the highest honors the U.S. military bestows on soldiers for their heroic actions in combat. Plaques honoring these individuals are showcased at Heroes Hall at the Orange County Fairgrounds.
Author Archives: Theresa Sears
Theresa Sears is Involvement Editor for Voice of OC and works with active residents throughout Orange County helping to lift their voices by facilitating the publication of daily Op-eds from a broad array of perspectives.
Theresa also handles office administration and works to help organize Voice of OC civic training programs and policy events.
With an intimate knowledge of Orange County civic issues, Theresa has worked as an active grassroots community leader on a host of public land use and regional public-benefit issues across the region for the past three decades.
As a solutions oriented activist, she has taken a leadership role in grass roots efforts supporting the public’s right to know and petition their government, community engagement, legal remedies and direct democracy.
Her efforts have preserved Orange County’s fairgrounds, Barham Ranch which is now part of Santiago Oak Regional Park, as well critical open space in East Orange. She’s also led efforts to protect Orange County’s regional park system as a leader with the Friends of Harbors, Beaches and Parks
Languages spoken: English and some Spanish
Areas of expertise: Community organizing, direct democracy, open government – public oversight, land use, civic engagement and protecting public assets.
Posted inCommunity Opinion
In Memory: Worst Air Disaster in OC History
This Veterans Day Voice of OC is publishing the most recent plaques on display at Heroes Hall honoring some of Orange County’s most decorated veterans. The most recent plaque was erected to honor the 84 men who were killed when the plane transporting them to Viet Nam crashed into Loma Ridge after take off from El Toro Marine Air Station on June 25, 1965.
Posted inCommunity Opinion, Countywide
Okamoto: US Army, Distinguished Service Cross, Vietnam War
Judge Vincent Okamoto is the most highly decorated Japanese American from the Vietnam war. Judge Okamoto’s parents were taken from Costa Mesa during World War II and interned in Poston, Arizona where he was born.
Posted inCommunity Opinion
Hogan: U.S. Marine Corps, Navy Cross, Afghanistan
The President of the United States of America presented the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lance Corporal Donald J. Hogan, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in action during Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan.
Posted inCommunity Opinion
Masuda: U.S. Army, Distinguished Service Cross, WWII
Kazuo Masuda was an Orange County resident who received posthumously the Distinguished Service Cross in 1945. Masuda was a member of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and died while defending his men during an escape while fighting the enemy alone. His family was taken from Orange County and placed in a Japanese Interment Camp during the war. But this horrible injustice did not deter him from fighting for his country so heroically.
Posted inPress Releases
Salute to Veterans: Free Community Celebration, Saturday, November 10, 2018
VETERANS + LABOR—PARTNERS IN SERVICE. SALUTE TO VETERANS: FREE COMMUNITY CELEBRATION 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018 THE US MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa
Posted inPress Releases
Salute to Veterans: Thank our vets at free event Nov. 10 at OC Fair & Event Center
When many of our veterans returned from service, there were no parades or public thanks. This Veterans Day, you can change that. Join us at Salute to Veterans and say “thank you” to those who served.
Posted inPress Releases
Community Leader, Family Evicted from Home after 26 years
Approximately 20 Santa Ana residents and representatives of local organizations rallied on Tuesday, October 30th, in front of the home of Reyna Mendoza. Reyna, her three daughters, and an elderly couple who sublet a room, are being evicted by a developer who recently purchased their home of 26 years.
Posted inPress Releases
Fairhaven Memorial Park & Mortuary Introduce Recognition Program to Thank First Responders
Santa Ana’s Fairhaven Memorial Park & Mortuary and Family Mortuary have introduced a new awards program, “Responders First,” and announced Orange County Fire Authority Captain Ray McQueen as its initial honoree. McQueen was presented with a personalized plaque at Fairhaven Memorial Park & Mortuary.
Posted inPress Releases
Early Voting at Vote Centers Available October 26th thru November 5th
Voters will be able to access to several Vote Centers throughout Orange County and a one-day Pop-Up Vote Center in Santa Ana beginning on October 26th. Services will include early in-person voting, ballot drop-off, replacement ballots and other voting services.
