SAN DIEGO REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HONORS MILITARY LEADERSHIP

SAN DIEGO – July 22, 2009 – In a celebration recognizing the military’s commitment to the San Diego community, The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce recently acknowledged three honorees for their positive impact on the region. The U.S. Naval Special Warfare Command, U.S. Navy SEAL Cmdr. Thomas Chaby and Veterans Medical Research Foundation were ackowledged with Distinguished Military Awards at the chamber’s 63rd annual Flag, General & Senior Officers Ball Saturday, July 18. “The honorees not only have an unwavering commitment to our country, but have also made an indelible mark on the lives of our community members, both military and civilian, through their commitment to the San Diego region,” said Ruben Barrales, president and CEO of The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. The U.S. Naval Special Warfare Command, commonly referred to as Navy SEALs, was recognized with an award for its bravery and skill combating global terrorist threats such as bringing down Somali pirates who were threatening the life of American hostage Capt. Richard Philips. The SEALs organize, train and maintain combat readiness, and deploy naval special warfare forces to accomplish special operations missions worldwide. Rear Adm. Tom Brown accepted the Distinguished Military Award on behalf of the SEALs. U.S. Navy SEAL Cmdr. Thomas Chaby, who recently returned from a seven-month deployment to Iraq as SEAL Team 5 commanding officer, was also honored at the event. He was recently awarded the Bronze Star with Combat V for his deployment, and received a Meritorious Service Award for his tour as SEAL Team 5 commanding officer. The Chamber also honored the Veterans Medical Research Foundation, a private, nonprofit research corporation located in La Jolla, with its Distinguished Military Award. Kertsin Lynam, chief executive officer for the foundation, accepted the award on the organization’s behalf. The Veterans Medical Research Foundation was created in 1989 by the Veteran’s Administration to increase and enhance medical research devoted to veterans and is involved in some of the nation’s most groundbreaking medical research. The foundation has supported research breakthroughs in shingles prevention, small pox, alcoholism, heart disease and post-traumatic stress disorder. The event also served as a farewell to Rear Adm. Leendert R. Hering Sr. USN; Brig. Gen. Angela Salinas, USMC; and Maj. Gen. Michael G. Lehnert, USMC, who were recognized for their steadfast leadership and commitment to the business community. Hering and Lehnert are retiring and Salinas has been reassigned to Virginia. The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce inaugurated the Ball in 1946 to honor service members returning home from World War II. The black-tie gala is an annual opportunity for San Diego’s business leaders to recognize the region’s brave military leaders for their commitment to the region and nation.