It was a special gathering of distinguished individuals from the community at the 2024 Focus Comic Hero of the Year Awards.

The gathering, hosted by Fountain Hills business Focus Comic, celebrated the work of military and first responders in the community and the accomplishments of young autistic and special needs students who graduated from the Military Vehicle Art Program.

All the military branches sent official representatives to celebrate with the award recipients, said Yvonne Wan, founder of Focus Comic in a press release.

The event was held in Glendale, where the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office sent a variety of vehicles to the event for the kids to explore including a SWAT vehicle and a Rural Metro Fire truck.

Four Fountain Hills veterans were recognized including VFW 7507 Commander Carl Krawczyk, WWII POW and Army Paratrooper Veteran Eugene Metcalfe, VFW member and U.S. Navy Veteran Mike Bufford and VFW member and U.S. Air Force Veteran Tony Muscarello.

Complimentary catering was provided by Habit Burger while students enjoyed the Air Force gear, Block Art supplies and Rural Metro Fire gifts.

The students and their heroes were awarded certificates and booklets signed by Glendale Mayor Jerry P. Weiers.

Wan thanks Samurai Comics for providing the venue, Sutton Custom Creations for creating the trophies, the technicians for providing professional stage sound system and Office Depot for printing the booklets.

Wan personally gifted hand-made portraits to Fountain Hills Army veterans Eugene Metcalfe and Carl Krawscyk and Mayor Weiers to honor them.

Focus Comic champions autistic and special needs kids, super heroes and local heroes.

For more information about Focus Comic and to see pictures of the Hero Award recipients, visit focuscomic.com/focus-comics-hero-of-the-year-awards-2024/.