LOOKING BACK
For a decade now, Boyle Heights Beat’s youth journalists have reported on some of the neighborhood’s most outstanding businesses, institutions and individuals. In this recurring series, we’re revisiting our sources and updating some of those stories.
On a cloudy morning at the Mexican American All Wars Memorial at Cinco Puntos, Tony Zapata looks admirably at the monument before him. Some of the plaques have been defaced or stolen, but Zapata shows respect to those that fought both before and after him.
Born in El Rio, Texas, Zapata enlisted in the U.S. Navy when he was nineteen, and was sent to Vietnam in 1968. The now 79-year-old served as a helicopter crewman until 1969 and did medevac and transport for the Marines during the war. He has lived in East L.A. since returning from service and raised his family here.
In Boyle Heights Beat’s second interview with Zapata, the first being in 2014, the veteran said he continues to organize events and often visits schools in the region to educate young people about the history and sacrifices men and women in the military have made.
He currently serves as the Commander of VFW Post 1013 in East L.A. and works to get veterans housing services and appropriate medical services.
“Through the VFW we do work with veterans and with schools. We celebrate Memorial Day and Veterans Day here at this place,” Zapata said, pointing to the memorial grounds. “It keeps me active.”
Boyle Heights Beat reporter Andrew Lopez spoke to Zapata about his work in the community, his patriotism and the state of veterans today.
The interview has been edited for space and clarity.
BHB: Your grandfather served in World War I, your father and uncles served in World War II and your son served in Kuwait. Do you anticipate your grandson enlisting to continue with the tradition of military service in your family?
TZ: Who knows, you know. He’s in college right now. He might. I don’t push him. Sometimes when I see him, he’ll ask me questions about the military and I try to answer them to the best of my knowledge. I haven’t pushed him into the military, but if he wants to do that, that’d be nice.
BHB: You’ve been working to help veterans find housing since 2014. What are the biggest challenges with housing veterans today?
TZ: Number one is trying to get these veterans in [housing]. Some are homeless, and I hate to say it, but the addiction keeps them homeless. I’ve had instances when I run into a veteran like that. They sometimes say ‘Oh, it takes too long and there are too many rules and regulations,’ but I understand that it’s the addiction. And housing services can help them with that too. But it’s up to them to take advantage of it. There’s a lot of programs for veterans coming out that the Veterans Administration can help them with like housing or school. I’m always pushing for veterans to get their benefits.
BHB: Do you feel like the idea of patriotism has changed since we last spoke with you in 2014?
TZ: It’s changed for the better, yes. I notice that now veterans are treated really well. When I came back in ‘69, people who were against the war, called me a baby killer. I got called this and that. But I let it go. Now, veterans are treated real well, and I’m glad to see it.
BHB: Can you speak at all to the significance or the history of really big figures of the military like Jacob Cruz or Guy Gabaldon coming from this neighborhood?
TZ: Well, this neighborhood has a lot of military history. The Mexican Americans, they didn’t wait for the draft back in World War II and most of them were volunteers. And they served this country, and I’m very proud of that. Very, very proud. Like I said, I come from a long line of military people, but they all came from Texas. And it’s the same thing in Texas, they have monuments for the Latinos [who served] there.
BHB: Can you explain why you try to educate this community of East L.A. and Boyle Heights about veterans?
TZ: Some people don’t understand the meaning of a veteran. I’ve run into people, and they ask, what does being a veteran get them. And I say there’s a lot of programs for veterans now that we didn’t have when we came out. Number one, we give them an education, a job. And then housing. Back then, there were programs, but not as many as they are today.
BHB: For young people not interested in military service, how do you motivate them to understand and respect the sacrifice that veterans made?
TZ: It’s pretty hard with young people. When I try to explain to people that I was in Vietnam, they go, ‘Why?’ And I tell them I was asked to serve this country. I got called to go there. I had to follow orders. And they have a hard time understanding. I’ve talked to recruiters and they have trouble getting kids to understand military life. There’s always a shortage of recruits in all branches. I’m hopeful that the draft doesn’t come back. An all volunteer force, I’m okay with.
BHB: Can you speak to your idea of patriotism and really loving your country? Did you feel at any time where your patriotism was tested?
TZ: Not really. I’m very patriotic myself. This event that we have here on Memorial Day, we’re very respected. Some veterans come in uniform, some active duty people come here, and they’re always respected. And that’s what I like, people recognizing what these young men and women are doing or did for this country.
BHB: Do you feel like there should be increased education or outreach about the military or service for younger people?
TZ: Absolutely. But when I talk at schools before Memorial Day or Veterans Day, I always stress education. Yeah, especially kids like fifth graders, sixth graders, I say to stay in school. If you can go to college, do it. I don’t push the military. But if you want to, finish high school first, and then we’ll see what happens after that. You know, there are very good opportunities out there right now. And then the GI Bill, it’s way different than when I came up.
BHB: Is there anything else that you’d like to add about the last 10 years of your service to the Eastside community?
TZ: Where I’m at now with the VFW, I’ve met a lot of good people. And I keep meeting good people. I enjoy what I’m doing. My wife asked me the other day, ‘When are you gonna give this up?’ I said, ‘When I can no longer do it. And when I can no longer do it, then I’ll step aside.
Zapata will lead the Memorial Day celebration on Monday, May 27th. The event at the Mexican American All Wars Memorial at Cinco Puntos begins at 10 a.m. and will feature live music and community speakers.
READ THE ORIGINAL:
In 2014, then Mendez High School sophmore Sylvester Foley wrote this profile on Tony Zapata:
Tony Zapata fights for veterans, promotes patriotism
Standing proud and tall, the Boyle Heights resident strives to support the local veteran community
