The 'Solemn Salute' award - A rose to the family and friends of U.S. Army Sgt. Richard A. Soukena, 30, a 1995 graduate of Oceanside High School who was killed Tuesday after a roadside bomb explosion in Baghdad.

On this Memorial Day, we remember Sgt. Soukena and the hundreds of thousands of other brave Americans who died in our nation's wars. There is no greater offering to the country that nourishes us all than that which these brave men and women -- and their loved ones -- have offered.

To all North County residents who have lost a family member, a friend, or a comrade in arms to one of our country's wars, we repeat, with our greatest respect, humility and gratitude, the words that Abraham Lincoln wrote to a Massachusetts woman believed to have lost five sons in the Civil War: "I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom."

The 'One Man's Trash' award

A rose to the patrons of the Salvation Army in Poway who, through their donations of high-end items, have made the store the most successful of the 12 Salvation Army stores in the county. How successful? Between $80,000 to $90,000 per month in sales. Not bad for a thrift store. And it's all for a good cause. The Salvation Army uses its thrift store proceeds to pay for a rehabilitation program for alcoholics and drug addicts.

So before you throw out your old clothes and furniture, or try to sell them on eBay, think about donating your surplus stuff to the Salvation Army nearest you. You'll make the world a better place to live.

The 'Don't Mind the Dead Guy' award

A raspberry to the management of the Pala Mesa Resort in Fallbrook for keeping its golf course open after a 65-year-old Irvine man was killed in a bizarre golf cart accident on the second hole last week. We've heard of playing through, but this seems just a tad insensitive. Chances are, this will never happen again. But if it does, close the course (at least until the body is removed), refund tee fees if people complain, and have a little class.

The 'Big-Band Blast' award

A rose to Bernard "Doc" Lotstein, 88, who has volunteered with the band class at San Elijo Middle School for the past three years. Lotstein started off playing saxophone and clarinet in beer joints on the East Coast when he was a teenager. After a career in music, this fan of jazz icons such as Louis Armstrong and Artie Shaw now repairs broken instruments, mentors students and gives tips on musicianship. Two months ago Doc had a stroke, but, after a little rehab, he's back. The kids love him, and so do we. Keep on swingin', Doc!

The 'Rapid Response' award

A rose to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department for making $1.5 million in upgrades to its existing 911 system so it can handle emergency calls coming from cell phone callers in its jurisdiction. The calls had been routed through the California Highway Patrol, tacking on precious minutes to emergency response efforts. This long-overdue improvement will save lives.