The 2023 Ionic Composite First Responders Night

For those who missed it, at our 2023 August 7th Stated Meeting, we celebrated our local First Responders.

After hosting our local firefighters and police officers to a pleasant meal, we retired to the Lodge room to re-institute a Lodge Tradition that had fallen by the wayside for our Lodge: honoring our local First Responders. This year’s awards were the first of what we hope will be many annual celebrations of our local First Responders, and represent the best of both the local Fire Station no. 92, and the West Los Angeles Police Station. In addition to the perpetual plaques, which will hang in the respective stations during the year until it is time to add next year’s honorees, each honoree was allowed to designate a charity of their choice, to which the Lodge made a $500 donation in their honor.

The 2023 Ionic Composite Firefighter Service Award was presented to Firefighter III Kevin Ramirez. He designated the Widows, Orphans, and Disabled Firefighters Fund as his charity of choice – a choice all Masons strongly understood and resonated with.

The 2023 Ionic Composite Lodge Police Service Award was presented to Officer Alicia Prescott. She designated the Saving Innocence Project as her charity of choice, which is an organization that works to fight child trafficking, which is something we all hope to see end.

In these troubled and often turbulent times, it is important to take a moment to remind ourselves and our community that no matter what problems there may be with individuals or institutions, there are still those whose bravery, integrity, and valor deserve honor and recognition, regardless of any political or social issues or opinions. We honor all those who bravely face danger on a regular basis on our behalf.

We were both honored and proud to be able to honor our local heroes at this year’s event, and look forward to honoring many more deserving servicepeople in the coming years.