Retired Senior Chief Information Systems Technician Danny Carreon was honored as the 2017 Chula Vista Veteran of the Year in a ceremony, Oct. 17.

Carreon leads the Communications and Information Systems Department at Coastal Riverine Group One (CRG 1) in Imperial Beach, Calif.

The proclamation from the Mayor of Chula Vista, Mary Salas read, "we recognize Danny Carreon as the 2017 Chula Vista Veteran of the Year and thank him for his contributions to our country and for his service to improving lives of community veterans."

Since 1998, the Veteran of the Year Program has recognized the accomplishments of local veterans and their contributions to the Chula Vista community and San Diego area. The award highlights and honors veterans that have made significant contributions to the community since leaving military service.

After retiring from 26 years of service in the U.S. Navy, Carreon has been active in the community, volunteering at the Veterans Connect Program, the American Red Cross and local fire department.

Carreon volunteers as a coordinator for the library program, Veterans Connect, where he connects veterans to community education, employment, housing and healthcare resources. Volunteering with the American Red Cross as a disaster action team member, he deployed to support state and national disaster recovery efforts. He volunteered with the City of Chula Vista Fire Department Emergency Manager and assisting in emergency operation center procedures.

"My transition into the workforce was not unique compared to what many veterans experience when leaving behind their military careers," said Carreon. "For many veterans, serving a greater cause still resonates; giving back to my community and its veterans is a way I can say thank you."

Carreon was also honored at the 28th Annual San Diego County Veteran of the Year Luncheon held at the Veterans Museum at Balboa Park hosted Nov 9.

As the Chula Vista Veteran of the Year, Carreon kicked-off the holiday season as the Grand Marshall for the City of Chula Vista Starlight Parade attended by more than 20,000 people, Dec. 8.

The Coastal Riverine Force (CRF) operates in harbors, rivers, and bays; across the littorals and ashore. The primary mission of CRF is to conduct maritime security operations across all phases of military operations by defending high value assets, critical maritime infrastructure, ports and harbors both inland and on coastal waterways against enemies and when commanded conduct offensive combat operations.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Coastal Riverine Group 1, visit www.navy.mil/.