The Suffolk Democratic Committee continued its tradition of honoring citizens making a positive difference in the community during its fifth annual Community Heroes Luncheon Saturday.

Honorees were Emanuel Faulcon, William Freeman Sr. and Raleigh Isaacs Sr., and special guests at the event, held at the Quality Inn on Pruden Boulevard, included the city’s constitutional officers and Suffolk School Board member Enoch Copeland.

“This young man is an asset to the Holland community,” Copeland said of Faulcon, presenting the first award.

He described Faulcon’s extensive history of community service, including
donating “his time and effort to upgrading his church.”

Freeman, Suffolk’s former police chief, was presented his award by Joan Turner, of the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.

Freeman, a “mentor to many” who has “exemplified himself to being a servant of God,” moved Suffolk Police Department forward during his time there, Turner said.

She also cited Freeman’s church activities, including teaching Sunday school and men’s ministry.

Presenting the third and final award, Arthur Singleton, vice chairman of the Suffolk Planning Commission, paid close attention to Isaacs’ more than 50 years of law enforcement experience.

Singleton also cited the sheriff’s contributions serving on community boards, saying he’s “a firm believer in being proactive.”

The event’s two guest speakers were Delegate Charniele Herring, chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia, who represents the Richmond-centered 46th legislative district, and state Delegate Matthew James, whose four-city district covers parts of North Suffolk.

“I think it says a lot about us as Democrats that we have an event that honors heroes in our community,” Herring said. “The gifts that you have given to your community, you just don’t know how many lives you have touched.”

Herring described a time when she and her mother faced homelessness, saying that subsidized education programs gave her the chance to succeed.

She singled out Gov. Bob McDonnell, as well as Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Ken Cuccinelli, for taking the commonwealth in “extreme” directions with respect to women’s and voting rights.

“Being a woman is not a pre-existing condition,” she said, adding that Virginia’s “diverse electorate needs to come out in 2013.”

James spoke of his decision to seek office, reflecting on the progress he’s made. “I’m finishing up my second term, and we have really surprised some people,” he said, citing transportation-related legislation.

“We had a tough session, but we did get some things done.”

Benjamin Goldberg, chairman of the local committee, urged party supporters to help elect more Democrats to congress.

“We can see how much trouble it is when we elect a great leader, but we don’t elect enough people to support him,” he said.

He said the event’s three honorees were “examples of heroes you don’t hear about.”