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2024 Honoring Our Heroes Gala
Held Friday, November 8th, 2024
Leo Cuadrado
USMC Captain (Ret.)
Executive Director
Friday November 8, 2024, we celebrated our 19th annual, Honoring Our Heroes Gala which took place at the Luxe Hotel on Sunset Boulevard in Brentwood, CA. This gala, held in recognition of Veteran’s Day, honors dedicated service members, alumni of our program, and those who are committed to uplifting them.
This year, the gala was hosted by accomplished actor, director and producer Steven Weber. Los Angeles City Council member Traci Park, 11th District, served as the Keynote Speaker.
We were honored to present Joy Brickhouse (Army) as the Female Hero of the Year, Daniel Martin (Army), and Darryl Mosby Sr. (Marine Corps) as the Male Heroes of the Year.
“I am profoundly grateful for the generosity of our charitable donors, staff, and volunteers, whose commitments enable veterans to thrive. Together, we ensure that veterans in our care lead lives of honor, dignity, and respect.”
Female Hero of the Year:
United States Army Veteran, Joy Brickhouse
In 2006, Joy enlisted into the army at the age of 40 in Birmingham, Alabama. Her favorite part of serving in the army was within the Medical Command Unit or MEDET in Birmingham, where she helped to provide physical examinations for enlisted soldiers. Joy’s military service concluded in 2012, when she was discharged while serving in Stratford, Connecticut. Confronting divorce and homelessness, NDVets came into her life at a critical time. “I am grateful for the kindness and respect that has been provided to me, and I will always be grateful.”
Male Hero of the Year:
United States Army Veteran, Daniel Martin
In December of 1977, Daniel enlisted into the United States Army, and completed Basic Training from Orange County, California. After Basic Training, Daniel was stationed at Fort Hood in Texas as part of the First Cavalry Division. Daniel retired from the Army in December of 1980. Daniel is thankful for the support from the program that enabled him to further a healthy lifestyle; from the Neurofeedback Clinic that supported him on Friday mornings, to meeting with a clinician on a weekly basis. The values that were shared with him within the program have become part of his “core” and have supported a greater quality of life.
Male Hero of the Year:
U.S. Marine Corps. Veteran, Darryl Mosby Sr.
In January 1984, Darryl enlisted into the Marine Corps while residing in St. Louis, Missouri. Throughout the course of his military career, Darryl supported information systems, the procurement of supplies or equipment, and data entry. After discharging in 1988, Darryl participated in the New Directions program where he met a Veterans Administration employee, leading to his employment at the West LA Campus. Today, five years later, Darryl is the Avatara Shift Manager at the West Los Angeles VA Campus where he provides oversight to 71 employees. Darryl has shared that he is thankful that the organization opened his eyes to life and enabled him to find a pathway to employment.
Highlights From Our 2024 Gala
Pictured: Master of Ceremonies Steven Weber;
and Gina Elise, President and Founder, Pin-ups For Veterans
Los Angeles City Council Member
Traci Park – 11th District
Pictured: Senior Vice Commandant Manuel Ibarra and
Marine Corps League Detachment 1347 Color Guard;
Patricia Womack, NDVets
Pictured: Matt Grief & Ron Berman performing jazz guitar
during the cocktail reception and silent auction
Dee Dee O’Neal singing the
“Star Spangled Banner”
Pictured: Joy Brickhouse receiving Female Hero of
the Year; Steven Weber, Leo Cuadrado
Samantha McNeily, Founder, Monarch Art & Wellness
Foundation; live acrylic painting on a portrait, later sold at the live auction
Pictured: Darryl Mosby Sr. and Daniel
Martin receiving Male Hero of the Year;
awarded by Leo Cuadrado
The Johnny Carson Foundation
Larry Williams and Anna Requena-Williams
Darin Selnick
Faith Branvold and Wendy Elgin – Modern HR
Linda Litzinger-Beck-Make My Day Beautiful
Gina Elise and Pin-ups For Veterans
Walt Perez – Walt’s Construction
Mat Millen
Aerospace Corporation
Marine Corps League Detachment 1347 Color Guard
Mark Robeson and Jeanie Riddell
Ray Delgado
Rudy Grimaldo
David and Shirley Baylor
American Legion – Ronald Regan-Pacific Palisades Post 283
IOA Insurance Services
Craig Darian and Occidental Entertainment
Monarch Art & Wellness Foundation
Steven Weber
LA City Councilmember Traci Park, 11th District