Twenty Five Hometown Heroes to Be Honored with Music

The newly formed Pacific Masterworks Chorus will be honoring 25 police, firefighters, military, and community hometown heroes at its June 18 concert, “From Barber to Barbershop: A Tribute to 9/11 and Hometown Heroes.”

A roll call of 135 fallen heroes will also be performed during Gabriel Faure’s Requiem, which will be accompanied by orchestra and sung by the chorus, singers from the University of California Alumni Chorus, and the community. The
San Jose-based Voices in Harmony will also perform and dedicate one of their songs to hero mothers.

“This event has been overwhelming with the support of the community and the work of both groups, Pacific Masterworks Chorus and Voices in Harmony.” said President Tim Salaver in a press release.

“The stories of the men, women, and a Yorkie who have dedicated their lives to others, serving their country and community are emotional and remarkable. We are proud to be honoring them this weekend and with our voices at our concert.”

The chorus will also perform one of the most beloved and performed Requiems ever written. The concert will start at 7:30 p.m. with a color guard and the ringing of a fire bell will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1225 Hopyard Road.

Pacific Masterworks Chorus is led by world-renowned choral director Dr. Greg Lyne and accompanied by acclaimed pianist Danielle Naler. The chorus has lent its voices in support of the Dublin Emergency Food Bank, The Salvation Army Concord Food Pantry, and Japan Earthquake Relief. San Jose-based Voices in Harmony will sing “Mama, A Rainbow,” a poignant piece arranged by Lyne that will be dedicated to Blue Star, Gold Star, and all mothers whose love perpetuates the memory of the fallen and supports the living.

“This combination of voices will be a wonderful experience for the singers as well as the audience,” says Lyne.

Local, Bay Area, and Northern California military and police organizations helped to identify the hometown heroes to be honored. The heroes were nominated on our chorus website. The list of the honored fallen heroes can be seen here. Concert tickets can be purchased here.

The living hometown heroes to be recognized are worthy for their dedication to the community, our servicemen and women, and our country. One of the best stories is of Shelby the Yorkie who saved his human from a devastating fire.

HOMETOWN HEROES TO BE HONORED ON JUNE 18, 2011:

Marilyn Carter
Marilyn Carter began supporting the troops in April 2003 and has since formed a non-profit to aid in the work. She made a trip to Walter Reed Medical Center and brought two young amputee soldiers and their families home to Livermore and helped them "re-enter" civilian life (rent for one year, fully-furnished apartment,
mentoring, job at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, home accessibility, transportation).

Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd, and Josh Fattal
These three anti-war, social justice and Palestinian solidarity activists had been living and active in the Middle East, and were on holiday in Iraqi Kurdistan. On July 31, 2009, they were detained by Iranian border guards while allegedly hiking in Iraqi Kurdistan. Iran claims the three crossed into Iranian territory, but the three Americans claim they were kidnapped from within Iraq. Sarah worked in education and social justice in Damascus where she provided educational opportunities to
refugees from the war in Iraq and taught English. Joshua, an environmentalist and educator, had been from January to May 2009 a teaching fellow for the International Honors Program (IHP)'s "Health and Community" study abroad program. Shane Bauer is a freelance photojournalist and journalist. All three are students from UC Berkeley.

Cpl. Ian Dollard, USMC – Silver Star/Purple Heart Recipient
Ian Dollard was awarded the Silver Star for actions during the war on terror. Without regard for his own safety and still under enemy fire, he maneuvered across open ground to his Lieutenant’s aid. Within seconds of reaching him, he shielded his Lieutenant's body from direct exposure and was struck twice in his upper torso body armor. As rounds continued to impact around him, he dragged his platoon commander 25 meters to cover to continue first aid. Seconds later, Lance Corporal Dollard was struck in the leg by small arms fire.

Cpl. Steven Hoover, USN – Navy Achievement Medal of Honor
Steven Hoover is completing his service with the Navy. He was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal of Valor. He was a sniper in Afghanistan and was honored for his excellent ability. He saved many lives through his work.

Sgt. Marty Neideffer – Founder Deputy Sheriff’s Activities League
Marty Neideffer is the founder of the Deputy Sheriffs’ Activities League. Neideffer created a program that provides free activities to around 3,000 K-12 members who participate. DSAL was created to help the children stay away from negative behavior.

Sgt. Jason Ross, USMC – Purple Heart Recipient
Jason Ross’ job in the Marines is EOD (Explosive Ordinance Demolition). He was dismantling an IED in Afghanistan and while doing so, stepped on another one right under him, losing both legs to the upper thigh. He grew up in Livermore. Sgt. Ross is still recuperating in Bethesda, MD with his wife, children and parents at his bedside.

Spike Schau, USN – State Coordinator of Warrior Watch Riders
Warriors Watch Riders started in 2007 on the East Coast by Wayne "Rock" Lutz. WWR-Northern California began June 2009 by Spike Schau with 27 riders and now boasts over 279 members active riders. WWR performs escorts for service members, all branches, all paygrades, all eras. WWR-NC also does funeral escorts. In 2010, the WWR-NC completed over 200 missions.

Shelby the Yorkie – Saved his human from devastating fire
The fire occurred in Oakland on Dec 21, 1997. Shelby’s owner was home sick and had just taken a dosage of Nyquil so that she could sleep. Shelby kept jumping on her head and would not stop until she woke up and took him out. The fire started in the basement and went between the walls and spread out under the roof. No one noticed, saw or smelled any smoke until they were outside of the apartment building. The roof partially collapsed on what would have been Shelby’s apartment.

John Shirley – WWII Veteran
John Shirley was a highly decorated member of the Third Infantry Division in World War II. He was drafted into the army at age 19. In the march through Italy France, Germany and Austria, he earned a Silver Star, two Bronze Stars with Valor and a Purple Heart. He was captured by the Germans then escaped. In one incident he and one other soldier captured an entire German platoon. He was given a
battlefield commission and assigned company commander. He was active in local affairs serving on the city council and as mayor of Livermore. In 1994 he was given the honor of introducing President Clinton at the 50th anniversary of D-Day.

Spc. 4 William Stanley, USAR – Vietnam Veteran
William Stanley received a purple heart in Vietnam for wounds received in action as a member of Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion (Mechanized), 2d Infantry, 1st Infantry Division.

Former Fire Captain Scott Walsh – Injured firefighter
Fire Capt. Scott Walsh retired in 2007, ending a 30-year firefighting career, 14 months after a two-story fall into an empty Pleasanton Garbage Company recycling center pit almost cost him his life. Walsh is now heavily involved in community activities, especially those that promote fire safety and protection for children, schools and the elderly.

SSgt. Jay Wilkerson – Pleasanton’s Sentinel of Freedom
Jay Wilkerson was injured on March 28, 2006 in Iraq when two rocket propelled grenades (RPGs), struck his Humvee. He suffered severe head and hand injuries and was immediately evacuated to Germany then on to Bethesda and Walter Reed Hospital. After 39 days in a coma and over two years at the Poly Trauma Center in Palo Alto California, Jay took his first steps into the civilian world when he entered the Sentinel program in Pleasanton.

The 3/5 Marines Expeditionary Force. Camp Pendleton, including Jesse Pearson, Kyle Fujino, Daniel Hazzard
This unit suffered 29 fatalities and over 200 serious injuries while deployed in Sangin, Afghanistan.  Jesse Pearson was shot in the arm, shattering his elbow. The bullet continued through his arm and was stopped from going into his left lung or heart by his body armor. He is doing well, has lots of hardware in his arm and still in physical therapy in San Diego. Kyle Fujino is a lance corporal in the Marines and was stationed in Afghanistan. He joined the Marines shortly after graduating in 2009 from Foothill High School. In 2009, Daniel Hazzard joined the Marine Corps. and then in September of 2010 he was deployed to Sangin, Afghanistan. Daniel is in 3/5 India Company with the 1st Platoon. He is a Saw Gunner in a 0311 rifle squad.