Local San Benardino Man Honored

Community members gathered to honor and recognize 8 men in the Inland Empire who have demonstrated their commitment and dedication to the people of their communities. Randall Ceniceros, Alan Dyer, Richard Loder, Ratibu Jaycocks, Danny Marquez, Kermit Moss, Carlos Teran, and Matthew Slowik were honored for the work they have done. On Friday, June 20th 2014, the second annual, “Men of Distinction” recognition program was held at the Grand Terrace Community Center. California State Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown of the 47th Assembly District presented the eight men with gift baskets and certificates and introduced them to their friends and families. Brown shared that each man who received the distinction is, “self-sacrificing by nature and purely motivated to serve others. Each honoree shares the common values which are considered most admirable. These Men of Distinction are problem solvers and navigators.” Brown would like to host this event every year and, “believes men should be recognized for the good things they do for the community.” The program started off with an invocation by Pastor Andy McRae of Azure Hills Seventh Day Adventist Church in Grand Terrace. Azure Hills helped make the afternoon event possible through donations and support. Before the event began, a group of young girls from The Rec Center in Grand Terrace led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance and performed an excerpt from The Star Spangled Banner. Cheryl R. Brown presented the honorees and recognized some people important to her and the fruition of the event such as Jon Gaede whom she spoke to in front of the audience saying, “You are a true champion, you did everything I wanted and I’m very happy,” and Darren W. Parker whom she shared he is, ”Someone who is here for me and I really appreciate what he does.” Brown also acknowledged former Assemblymember Wilmer Amina Carter and said, “I wouldn’t be here today without her.” Brown shared at the beginning of the program there are three components that these men share: “Character, service, and leadership. They forge ahead not by polls, but by knowing what’s right. Their engine runs on constant desire to serve others and they have a sense of leadership and purpose." Kermit Moss, one of San Bernardino’s own residents, was among those to receive the Men of Distinction Award. His mom, sister, and wife came to support him. Sally Moss, his mother, shared, “Such a humble man and he loves young people, loves the community, mainly he has a love for people in general, and he’s a great son.” Moss has brought the spirit of the community back to his Westside neighborhood by working with families to create a safe place to work and play together. In 2009, Moss met Pastor John Miller of Calvary Chapel, San Bernardino and over the years Moss became committed to spreading the gospel to the local community by leading monthly outreaches of “street preaching.” In recent years, Kermit has also organized a talent and car show at his church and shares that one of his main passions lies with connecting people within his community to one another. Some of the men spoke and acknowledged their family after receiving their awards. Ratibu Jacocks shared, “You have made me feel special and I mean that with all my heart. In order to get his, you need to be an insider and it makes me feel included, you can’t call me an outsider.” Jacocks stated, “I am a problem solver, idea-giver and a catalyst for positive action.” Danny Marquez served in the United States Army from 1976-1979 and is a 33-year veteran of the United States Postal Service. He shared, “I would like to personally thank the Assemblywoman for this honor. Before he sat down, Marquez said, “All of us need to work together to bring resources to the community" and acknowledged his wife Diana. At the end of event amidst the picture taking and the friends and family present, Assemblywoman Brown ended the event by saying, “God bless and God keep you and I pray you have a wonderful rest of the day.”