Local servicemembers honored during Roseville Mayor State of the City

Roseville Mayor Krista Bernasconi's State of the City address was more than a speech about the city; the event also was a platform to honor several local military personnel and their families, including one servicemember who lost his life. Bernasconi also used the event to garner community support for a local young man in a wheelchair who is in dire need of help. Before the mayor began her address, the military honorees were recognized by Roseville Police Chief Jeff Beigh, and Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo. Blue Star mother Florence Surrat was recognized during the event – her daughter is PO 2nd Class Alexandria Surratt. Surratt is a native of Roseville, and serves the U.S. Navy assigned to USS Georgia, homeported at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay. As a submariner, Surratt is part of a small percentage of Navy personnel continuing a 125-year tradition of service under the sea to help ensure Americans' safety. Gold Star mother Karen Meredith was also honored. Her son, Lt. Ken Ballard lost his life in 2004 while serving in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was killed in action days before he was scheduled to return home. Chief Warrant Officer Michael O'Connor was honored as well. O'Connor served as an Army helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War, flying UH-1 Huey missions with the 1st Cavalry Division until his aircraft was shot down in 1968. Captured by enemy forces, he endured 1,857 days as a prisoner of war before returning home during Operation Homecoming in 1973. Once the servicemembers were honored, Bernasconi began her State of the City address, with the military families sitting in the front rows, holding flowers that were presented to them. At the end of her address, the mayor said she wanted to close by bringing attention to 20-year-old Noah Whitaker; he suffers from spinal muscular atrophy and is in a wheelchair. Bernasconi said Whitaker attends Sierra College and works at the Roseville Galleria. She explained that he's already suffered the loss of both parents and gets around in his motorized chair, as far as 10 miles a day. Whitaker is in need of an ADA Van replacement; so Bernasconi is hosting a lemonade stand at Rooftop Tea Coffee & Macarons in the Nugget Shopping Center at 731 Pleasant Grove Blvd. on Sept. 8 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.