By Isiah REYES

Local resident and veteran Steve Pierce was one of three honored as a hometown hero by the Verdugo Hills Council of the Boy Scouts of America on Dec. 6. The trio was recognized for their commitment and patriotism to their community.

“I enjoy volunteering,” Pierce said. “I do it because I feel everyone in Montrose and La Crescenta work well together and I get pleasure out of seeing things get done.”

The Verdugo Hills Council started the Hometown Heroes program three years ago to honor local veterans. Judge Lance Ito was the keynote speaker at the Dec. 6 event.

Pierce is a Vietnam veteran who first began his volunteer work when he had an issue with trash collection. Because of this, he decided to run for a seat on the Crescenta Valley Town Council. This led him to undertaking more responsibility, eventually becoming the president of the town council. He was also president of the Crescenta Valley Fireworks Association in 2008 and is the incoming president of the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce. He is currently the chamber’s vice president.

Pierce oversees the care of the Vietnam War Memorial in Montrose and tends it at approximately 5 a.m. every day. He plants flowers and cleans the surrounding grounds. Pierce is also on the staff of the Montrose Shopping Park Association and is the film liaison for the Montrose Shopping Park.

Foothills District Advancement Chair and Council Advancement Committee Member Dede Mueller was the one who nominated Steve as a hometown hero. She said that as she got more involved in the valley through scouting and community events, she continued to see Pierce volunteer.

“His dedication to our veterans and the community encompasses all the values and morals I personally believe is a true hometown hero,” Mueller said.

Pierce said now that he is older, he feels like he has made his mark on life and feels it is his duty to give back to his country and community.

“In my opinion, I don’t know of any other community in the whole country that has more volunteer spirit than La Crescenta-Montrose,” Pierce said.

  Isiah REYES