Leadership

Laura Herzog is the former Public Affairs Officer for the Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos, Calif. She served as the lead for Hero Missions (fallen soldiers returning from Afghanistan & Iraq), coordinated public appearances for the JFTB base commander, disseminated information for JFTB to the public, and was the base spokeswoman who acted as the primary liaison with media.

Her prior occupation was as a General Manager for The News Enterprise, servicing the greater Orange County region. She also worked as a freelance reporter on various local assignments.

Laura was awarded the California Medal of Merit in 2009, which is one of the highest decorations in the State of California, awarded by the State to National Guard service members and civilians for exceptionally meritorious conduct.

Didi MacPherson is a Gold Star mom, whose son Army Ranger Tommy MacPherson was KIA in 2012.

The MacPherson family has been supported by Honoring our family since that time.

In 2017, Didi joined the HOF board and is currently serving as secretary and liaison between the board and Gold Star Families.

Didi is a mother to 3 grown children and grandmother to 4.

She has owned her own business, Alliance Printing Associates in Los Alamitos since 1997.

Didi enjoys spending time with her family, movies, her work and is involved with her church.

“I am thankful to Honoring Our Fallen for the support our family has received since Tommy’s death.

My reason for serving on the board and working alongside of Laura is to give hope to the families and especially the moms that there is hope and life after the tragedy of losing a child”

My first experience with Honoring Our Fallen was in 2011 when I volunteered to cook a meal for a newly widowed Gold Star Wife. After that experience and hearing more stories about the organization from my long-time friend and Founder, Laura Herzog, I knew I wanted to get more involved. I began as the Board Secretary and by volunteering at Operation Hope Events. Through attending different HOF events it has been so moving to see these families who do not know each other but share a common experience that come together and act as a support system for each other. The most touching part of
spending time with these families is seeing the bonds the children make with each other.

I am employed as a Corporate Safety Director for a construction company that performs work on military bases throughout California. I also serve on other industry boards to assist with issues facing the construction industry.

Rick Martinez is a life-long resident of Orange County and has served on our Board of Directors since its inception. Rick is presently serving as the Immediate Past President of our Board of Directors.

Rick is a retired Sergeant of the Anaheim Police Department, having served the City of Anaheim for 39 years. He served a variety of assignments during his career, and for the final 11 years of his service at Anaheim PD, Sgt. Martinez served as the department’s PIO (Public Information Officer) and was the primary department spokesperson. In this position, he interacted regularly with media organizations on a variety of situations and cases. Working in California’s 10th largest city, with a dynamic resort destination, he dealt with countless local, national, and international news stories.

In retirement, along with serving on our board of directors, Rick is presently serving as a Planning Commissioner for the City of Orange and as the Chair-Elect of the Board of Directors for the Orange Chamber of Commerce. He is also on the Board of Directors for “RTNA” (Radio & Television News Association), the Orange Police Foundation, the Orange Public Library Foundation, and the Friends of the Anaheim Police K-9 Association. He previously served as a Commissioner on the Orange County Juvenile Justice Commission and numerous other boards.

Rick has been married to his wife Rebecca for 45 years, and they are the proud parents of two daughters, two son-in-laws, along with four grandchildren. They are the owners of BRICK Curriculum Design & Consulting LLC.

After being close friends with Laura Herzog and her family for many years, watching her service to the organization she founded inspired me to be a part of the Journey Laura was walking. I started volunteering with things behind the scenes for the widow’s retreats and then joined the event fundraising team to work on the Gala, Car Show, and the fireworks stand with other volunteers.

Wanting to do more, we brought in our family business to help. My Husband and I own Signature Performance Tire and Wheel and we are honored to help keep all the vehicles used for hero missions in tip top shape.

In August of 2022, I was honored to become a part of the Honoring our Fallen Board of Directors. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this organization that does so much for the families that have given so much.

Brennan is the program director and visionary of our “Flag For Every Hero Program.” Due to the size of the cemetery and costs associated with it, Riverside National Cemetery could not fund a program like this. He wanted to ensure that every fallen hero is honored with a flag each Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

Brennan’s passion stems from a lifetime dedicated to serving our country. He is veteran of the Anaheim Police Department since 2002 and served as a Security Forces Specialist in the United States Air Force. During his time in the Air Force he was accepted to work at the Pentagon where he provided security for Air Force personnel and offices there. During this time, he was chosen to provide personal security for the Secretary of the Air Force and Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force.

After September 11, 2001, Brennan was asked by the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force to become his full time personal security officer. During this time, Brennan had the opportunity to attend several memorials for the victims of 9/11. Seeing and feeling the anger and pain from so many affected by this tragedy has remained with him to this day.

Holly was born in August of 1976 on Camp Pendleton while her father, Chuck was still serving in the United States Marine Corps. She grew up in sunny Southern California in the city of Riverside with her parents and three sisters. Holly graduated from La Sierra High School in 1994. After completing a Medical Assisting program, Holly moved to Fresno, California to be closer to her older sister, Heather. It was there that she met her future husband, Justin. They got married on February 17, 2001.

Justin joined the Marine Corps, and left for boot camp on their one-year wedding anniversary. Justin was stationed at Camp Pendleton, and Holly and Justin bought their first home in Winchester, California. It was here that Holly and Justin started their life. They welcomed their first daughter, Avery on December 27, 2006 and their son, Jacob on September 1, 2009. During this time, Holly obtained her Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies, and was a surrogate for a deserving couple.

On February 22, 2012, the unthinkable happened. Three uniformed Marines, and a Navy Chaplin knocked on her door in the early morning. Justin, along with six other Marines, were killed in helicopter collision during a night-time training mission. It was the last training mission before his squadron was to deploy to Afghanistan. Holly became a widow at the age of 35, and was left to raise Avery and Jacob, who were 5 and 2 at the time, alone. During the course of Justin’s military career, he deployed to Okinawa, Japan, traveled the world with the Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and deployed twice to Iraq. His personal awards include the Air Medal Strike/Flight, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (second award), Good Conduct Medal (second award), National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Korean Defense Service Medal.

Holly is working to expand our support, programs and services.