War Memorial Commission Team
War Memorial Commission Chair
AL Membership Chair of Northern California/ AL Commander Post 333/ Veterans Affairs Commissioner
Courtney Ellington is currently the War Memorial Veterans Building Commissioner Chair, Veteran Affairs Commissioner appointed by SF Mayor London Breed, Commander of the American Legion Post 333, CEO/ Executive Director of OneVet OneVoice, Superintendent for Fei Young Education, Mentor for the Veterans Justice Court, and American Legion Membership Chair for Northern California. Courtney is the past president of the Business and Professional Women of Nashville, Tennessee where she was instrumental in passing a bill to extend maternity leaves. Along with the many official titles she holds, Courtney is also the founder of the “Veterans Community Annual Awards Gala” which awards veterans making positive impacts in the community and the “She’s A Shero” Annual Awards recognizing women who are making a difference in the community, political and business worlds. Throughout the pandemic, Courtney assisted many Veterans with job placement, clothing, training, and supportive services. These acts reflect on her passion to help others achieve their goals. Courtney is aware her talents are true blessings and is very humbled. Out of all the amazing things she gets to do daily, besides helping veterans, her favorite job is being a loving wife and a mother to her wonderful children. She is very active in their lives and encourages them to use their gifts. She is an active member of the Chinatown Rotary club and sits on the board of the Nashville film School. Courtney is well rounded when it comes to diversity. Her goal is to promote economic justice and equality.
War Memorial Commission Vice-Chair
Veterans Affairs Vice-Commissioner
Eduardo “Eddie” Ramirez is a native San Franciscan, he has been serving his fellow veterans in a variety of ways for the past 18 years. He was the Founder and CEO of the Veterans Film Festival and OneVet OneVoice a 501c3 Veterans Service Organization established in 2015, the Commander for the American Legion Cesar E. Chavez Post 505, and the VA Representative for the Air Force Sergeant’s Association Chapter 1320, Travis AFB. He served in the United States Air Force and honorability retired as a Master Sergeant in 2003, he is a Gulf War and Cold War Veteran. Following a 22-year decorated career as an Aerospace Ground Equipment Technician, Ground Radio Communication Specialist, and Flight Chief of the McClellan AFB Airmen Leadership School, he went to work for the Department of Labor in 2005. Then he transferred to the Department of Veterans Affairs where he was appointed the Minority Veterans Program Coordinator and retired in 2014 as the Administrative Officer for Mental Health Services at the San Francisco VA HealthCare System. He also worked at NASA, Ames Research Center prior to joining the USAF. He was able to promote his own views on Veterans’ health care as well as advance the utilization of best practices to enhance Veteran mental health care. It was this experience that helped him to put together the H.E.H.E. model of healthcare, education, housing, and employment to support Veterans at OneVet OneVoice. He is 100% Service-connected Throughout his 35 years of military and federal government service, he always stayed involved with Veteran issues including being the Founder of the San Francisco Veterans Town Hall Collaborative; a monthly town hall for Veterans and community partners to learn about Veterans’ services. In addition to the Town Hall, he conducted workshops to assist Veterans with employment, specifically how to obtain a job with the federal government. He founded the San Francisco Veterans Film Festival, a creative avenue to allow Veterans and the public to engage with each other on an artistic level, he continued the festival for 10 years. He was the 2017 Veteran of the Year for District 17 and was the Evan Williams American Made Hero selected as one of six Nationwide. Overall, he is always looking into alternative methods to help Veterans and the military community. He was the Owner of Mama Art Café in San Francisco which closed in 2017. He has traveled all over the world and lived in Japan, Germany, Spain, and Italy. He has a Master’s degree in Public Administration, a BS in Vocational Education, and four Associate Degrees from the Community College of the Air Force and San Francisco City College. He has served as a Commissioner for the City and County of San Francisco VA Commission and is currently on the Measure P Committee for the City of Fairfield.
Operations Manager
Merc Martinelli graduated from the Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Astronautical Engineering and then flew the KC-135 refueling airplane doing missions over the United States and Europe for several years. While in the Air Force he earned his Master’s Degree in Systems Management. Merc now serves as the Operations Manager for the American Legion War Memorial Commission (ALWMC), and the Secretary for the ALWMC monthly Board Meeting. He is also the Commander of Bob Basker Post 315, who’s members do community service activities throughout the year.
Finance Officer
Jeff Sheibels is a decorated Coast Guard Veteran having served 6 years on high endurance cutters, 3 years at the Maritime Safety and Security Team San Francisco, and one year at Station Monterey. He is one of the plankowners of the Maritime Safety and Security Team San Francisco. After receiving an Honorable Discharge, Jeff earned a Bachelors in Business Administration with a specialization in Finance, and a Bachelors in Accounting. When He is not working as a NetSuite Consultant, he serves as an officer and Board Member of the Silicon Valley Lions Club, Board Member for The Grateful Garment Project, and American Legion Post 599 1st Vice-Commander. Jeff has also been appointed by the American Legion National Commander to a 2 year term on the American Legion National Legislative Council for the 118th Congress. He is currently working with other veterans to gain representation at the city level and advocates for veterans to be included in discussions involving homelessness, mental health, among other issues that veterans face on a daily basis.
