Focus Comic Legends Event Honoring Living and Fallen Heroes

Above: Film by Yvonne Wan.

Article By John Sanders. Professional Journalist.

The humanitarian project Focus Comic held its volunteer “Legends Event” for over one hundred attendees on November 22 at Samurai Comics in the city of Glendale. The group honored fallen heroes, such as Apache Junction Officer Gabriel Facio, Glendale firefighter Quinten Hernandez and paramedic John Garza from the Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Department. Yvonne Wan, of Focus Comic, painted portraits of each person and displayed them as a memorial at the event. Her autistic intern Carson Shuler also displayed tribute art at the event.

The United States Air Force performed a presentation of colors and a saber arch ceremony. USAF Airmen Gabe Howell sang the National Anthem. Awards and commendations were also presented to award recipients and dignitaries from the Glendale Fire Department, Sun City Fire Department , Apache Junction Police Department, Luke Air Force Base as well as city of Goodyear Mayor Joe Pizzillo, who received a public service award.

Wan painted Facio’s portrait earlier this year and gifted it to his family. According to Wan, the portrait was created to honor his memory and provide comfort to Facio’s family. The event saw attendance of Facio’s brother, Mizael, who was presented with Facio’s posthumous award and a certificate of honor. Mizael also walked underneath a saber arch to honor his memory.

Every award recipient at the event received challenge coins from the Arizona Fire and Medical Authority, and a rare commemorative fire fighter memorial challenge coin from city of Mesa Mayor Mark Freeman, who is a former firefighter. The United States Air Force also provided gifts for the event.

Focus Comic sends thanks to dignitaries like Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Sheriff Jerry Sheridan and Chief Rudy Bustamante, Mayor Pizzillo and Apache Junction Police Department Chief Michael Poole. Additional thanks to the Arizona Fire and Medical Authority, Luke Air Force Base, Mayor Freeman and Governor Katie Hobbs, who provided a certificate of commendation.

Focus Comic would also like to thank Samurai Comics for providing the venue, and providing hospitality and comic book gifts for the children, the Sun City Fire and Medical Department, Rural Metro Fire, the MCSO and Apache Junction PD, who also provided gifts and sent marked vehicles to the event.

Following the event on the same day, Focus Comic held a graduation ceremony for autistic and special needs youth. The organization’s mission is to empower children with additional needs through art, and partnered with the city of Glendale with the “Focus Comic Love Glendale” art program. Last month seven Focus Comic special education teachers taught hundreds of children with autism and special needs as part of the program.