Speaker John A. Perez (D-Los Angeles) is honoring the service and sacrifice of the nation’s veterans today at the Cinco Puntos All Wars Memorial in Boyle Heights.
“As citizens of this state and country, it is our basic obligation to stand up for the men and women who have devoted their lives to protecting our nation,” said Speaker Perez.
Perez says he is proud California has passed important legislation to the put the state at the nation’s forefront of efforts to assist veterans including: a measure voters can approve to support better housing options, and legislation that helps reduce the backlog of veteran disability benefits claims.
He said, however, that there is still more work to be done. “Our responsibility must be to ensure that after their service is over the lives of our veterans can go on as well,” Perez said.
Other speakers at today’s event include Navy Commander Brian Kurzeja.
The Cinco Puntos All Wars Memorial, located at 3300 East Cesar Chavez Avenue was originally built in 1947 to honor Mexican Americans who fought in wars on behalf of the United States.
Thieves vandalized the Memorial last November, and made off with three bronze plaques. Speaker Perez presented replacement plaques for the Memorial in March.
A reception follows at the Eugene Obregon American Legion Post 804.
