Officer Jon Smith Honored

WELCOME BACK, JON...
Yesterday afternoon Costa Mesa Police Officer Jon Smith was honored by his compatriots in arms for his safe return from a year-long deployment with the United States Army Reserve in Afghanistan.

GAZSI AND CHERVONY
Chief Tom Gazsi stood in front of a massed crowd of city staffers - police, fire and others - and made a brief presentation on the lawn in front of Police Headquarters.  Then Community Services Specialist Jeanette Chervony, who had spear-headed the effort to send Smith "care packages" throughout his deployment, removed the yellow ribbon that wrapped a large ficus tree in front of the building, awaiting Smith's safe arrival home.

LOCAL MEDIA COVERAGE
Local media covered the event and Brad Long of CMTV was present to capture it for future viewing.

FLAG PRESENTATION
Later, during the city council meeting, Smith presented a flag that had flown over Afghanistan to Mayor Jim Righeimer.

THANKS FROM A GRATEFUL COMMUNITY
Congratulations and thanks to Officer Smith for his service to this country and to his community.