ST. GEORGE — Rep. Chris Stewart will be honoring 11 Utah individuals or organizations, including three from Southern Utah, with Congressional Patriotism and Service Awards. The awards will be presented during an 11:40 a.m. luncheon Thursday at the state Capitol in Salt Lake City.
Retired Washington County Commissioner Alan D. Gardner, Switchpoint Community Resource Center Director Carol Hollowell and World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War veteran Alfred Albert Arruda were selected as award recipients from Southern Utah.
According to a news release from Stewart’s office, each of the recipients “exemplify leadership, exceptional citizenship, dedication, patriotism and have a service-oriented attitude in their home, community and country.”
Read more about recipients here.
This is the first time Stewart has presented awards of this nature, he said, but it won’t be the last.
“There are so many people who deserve some recognition and thanks,” Stewart said.
Throughout his travels up and down Utah, Stewart said he has had the wonderful opportunity to witness many ordinary people doing extraordinary things for their communities and the state.
“They are all heroes,” Stewart said.
Stewart said he is excited to present the awards, adding that it is one of the most fun things he gets to do as a congressman.
While Stewart keeps a busy schedule in the nation’s capital, he said if he isn’t spending time with his constituents and friends in Utah, then he isn’t doing his job.
“Bottom line is, it’s very, very cool,” Stewart said, “and we are very proud to be doing this.”
The 11 individuals or organizations Stewart chose to honor this year are as follows:
Organization recipients
- Utah Honor Flight
- Tooele City Fire Department
High school student recipients
- William Patrick Ryan III – Judge Memorial Catholic High School
- Madeline Pettit – Bountiful High School
Community leaders
- Alan D. Gardner – Former Washington County Commissioner
- Newell E. Harward – Wayne County Commissioner
Military recipients
- Col. Sean Kirschner – Commander of United States Army Dugway Proving Ground
- Alfred Albert Arruda – World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War veteran
Individual recipients
- Officer Cody James Brotherson – Police officer killed in the line of duty
- Lorna Koci – Director of Bountiful Food Pantry
- Carol Hallowell – Director of Switchpoint Community Resource Center
Resources
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews
Stewart getting a lot of mileage out his Bone driving days.