Politics & Government

Local Serviceman Honored As Veteran Of The Year

Lt. Commander Nico Melendez was honored with the award by Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries (R-Lake Elsinore), 66th District.

Fifty-two veterans representing each of the state’s assembly districts were honored today in Sacramento -- and Lake Elsinore resident Lt. Commander Nico Melendez was among them.

Melendez, who served in the U.S. Navy for 10 years and currently serves in an active naval reserve unit, was named Veteran of the Year by Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries (R-Lake Elsinore), 66th District.

Melendez works for the Department of Homeland Security as the Pacific Region Public Affairs Manager. He is married to Lake Elsinore City Councilwoman Melissa Melendez, who also served in the U.S. Navy. The couple has five children.

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Most recently the Lt. Commander was deployed to Afghanistan and served as a spokesman for NATO and the International Security Assistance Force, as a liaison officer to the Afghan Ministries of Interior and Defense, as well as the liaison officer to NATO Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium.

Here at home,

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"Of all the veterans in the 66th Assembly District, I am honored to represent them as Veteran of the Year," the Lt. Commander said. "The support and respect Assemblyman Jeffries shows the men and women in uniform is unmatched, and appreciated. Thank you for honoring me and my family."

"Nico Melendez has dedicated his service to our country and our community," Assemblyman Jeffries said. "All of our veterans deserve our recognition and support, and it is my honor to recognize Nico as my Veteran of the Year."

Palm Desert resident Maj. William “Bill” Young also received the honor from Assemblyman Brian Nestande (R-Palm Desert), 64th District.

The 64th and 66th districts each encompass parts of Wildomar and Lake Elsinore.

Young was honored with the award for his ongoing commitment to the Veterans Easy Access Program, which helps poor and homeless veterans find housing, transportation and other services.

“It is a pleasure to honor Major Young for his continued dedication to our veteran community,'' Nestande said. “His leadership is invaluable to those who serve with him.''

Young and his wife Deanna, Palm Desert residents for more than two decades, serve on the advisory board of the Cathedral City Salvation Army, which provided start-up resources for the Veterans Easy Access Program. Young also helps put on the annual Veterans Expo.

Young served in the Air Force from 1969 to 1990, working as a meteorologist -- a job he continued after leaving the military.

“I am humbled by this honor from Assemblyman Nestande,'' Young said. “By receiving this honor, I hope it will encourage others in the community in their efforts to serve our veteran community.''


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