Event Name: Living Legends Art Exhibition and Award Ceremony.
The Living Legends Art exhibit and Awards honor fire fighters, first responders and airmen for their courage; sacrifice, selfless service, patriotism, kindness, compassion and leadership.
Open to: The General Public
Admission: Free
Who: Fire Fighters / First responders / USAF Airmen. Please refer to the bottom of this page for a full list of the award recipients.
Date of Award ceremony: Saturday 27 September 2025.
Where: Tempe Fire Training Center. 1340 E University Dr, Tempe, AZ 85288
Event start time: 9am. Ending: 10am. The photographer will arrive at 8am to photograph the award recipients.
Ceremonies: The USAF honor guard will perform the Presentation of Colors during the National Anthem. AC1 Sshley Mendez US Airman will sing the national anthem on stage. The US Air force honor guard will also perform the Saber arc as the award recipients walk under the Saber arc to receive their honors.
31 Living Legends Award recipients will receive a complimentary living legends portrait by award winning artist Yvonne Wan, a certificate of honor signed by our dignitaries, certificate of commendation signed by Govenor Hobbs, plus a complimentary Photoshoot with Sam Legamaro. All award recipients attending the event will receive a Luke Air force Fire dept patch. Yvonne Wan will create a broadcast standard highlights film so everyone can remember their special day.
Artists:
- Yvonne Wan, Award winning artist, certified social cultural anthropologist and Focus comic creator.
- Audrey Lam, Age 14. Autistic intern
- Carson Shuler, Age 19, Autistic intern
Our Focus comic creator Yvonne Wan and her 2 autistic interns are making solid progress in preparing art for the upcoming Living Legends art exhibit and awards ceremony honoring those who protect and serve our community; and championing young autistic talent.
Check out 26/31 of the portraits by Yvonne Wan. All art work will be completed and accessible on this website by Midnight 22 September 2025.
Carson Shuler, 19 and Audrey Lam 14 also look forward to exhibiting their art. Here are just 2 examples of their art:
Check out this quick film of Carson talking about his art:
Check out Davids Testimonial about Carsons professional development with Focus comics:
The art work will be gifted to our 31 Living Legends Awards recipients on the day of the art exhibit. Thank you Yvonne Wan for creating the portraits for the award recipients. Thank you Governor Hobbs for signing the certificate of commendations for our award recipients. Thank you Luke Air Force honor guard for performing the presentation of colors and saber ceremony at our coming event. Thank you Sam Legamaro for offering his photography services, and Yvonne Wan for her film services.
Award Recipients by Agency:
Shawn Holcomb, Jocelyn Galligan, Sheriff Jerry Sheridan, Paul Shupe, Scott Figgins, Brandon Sunder, Josh Klemm, Sam Taylor, Lieutenant Mark Schweikert, Matt White, Matthew Burns, Glen Damiani , Jon Duffy, Tino Ginakes, Kevin Johnston, Luke Killough, Alex Mylers, Jimmy Poole, Dustin Preston, Christopher Snow, Truman Wood, Maj. Christopher Herbert, Ssgt Zoie Cox, TSgt David Rippberger, TSgt Joseph Delay, SMSGT Jose Eudave Diaz-Gonzalez, TSgt Eric Soba, MSgt, Michael T. Brick, Tsgt. Charity Stuart, Tsgt Brittney Klein, A1c Ashley Mendez
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Here is the highlights film by Yvonne Wan from our recent Hero Awards which showcases the Saber Arc ceremony. Yvonne Wan who has a background in broadcast film making, will create a highlights event film of the Living Legends event for everyone to remember their special day.