MUSEUM A HIT: More
than 100 people, from all over the city, visited the Museum of Mexican Culture
and History in Little Village last weekend. Visitors came as part of the
Chicago Architecture Foundation’s citywide openhousechicago neighborhood tour
event. Curator, William “Guillermo” Luna,
explained the history of the Mexican Revolution of 1910 with a pictorial
setting of photos of the era to guests. Luna’s presentation was interesting and
in depth. Here are some Open House photos:
STUDENTS
from Jesuit Cristo
Rey High School in Pilsen participated as guides and assisted curator Luna.
Many visitors were interested in the history of Aztecs and Mayan depicted in
colorful paintings of the Aztec Emperors and the World of the Aztecs. “All the visitors asked interesting
questions and were impressed by many of the Mexican articles in the museum,”
said Luna.
SCHOOLS,
churches, community organizations and anyone who may want to visit the
Museum
of Mexican Culture & History, 3610 W. 26th St. call Bill Luna at
773/551-4750.
Commander Joe Ramirez painting at the plaza |
VETERANS IN
ACTION: Angered by the
vandalism that was done last month to the Manuel
Perez Jr. Memorial Plaza mural,
26th St. & Kolin Ave. in Little Village prompt Post Commander Joe Ramirez to call a special Post 1017
meeting. The veterans met to discuss a course of action for the restoration of
the mural and the Manuel Perez Jr. Memorial Plaza to its military status.
VANDALS
desecrated the image of
PFC Manuel Perez Jr. in the mural by
spreading black paint on Perez’s face. PFC Perez Jr. was killed in action and
awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously. The veterans of the
Manuel Perez Jr. American Post 1017 marched to the plaza and whitewashed the
wall for the repainting of a new [military] mural.
“WHAT SOME community groups or
people in general have to understand is that the Manuel Perez Jr. Memorial
Plaza is not a playground, but a sacred memorial plaza paying homage to the
Mexican-American soldiers that gave their lives for this country. Also, to give
recognition to the veterans and members of the military,” said Commander
Ramirez.
MEMBERS of
Post 1017 have worked hard to keep the plaza grounds free of debris by raking
up leaves and sweeping the area. “It
is our objective to restore the respect the Manuel Perez Jr. Memorial Plaza
deserves,” Ramirez said.
IN 1980, during
the dedication of the Manuel Perez Jr. Memorial Plaza, Mayor Jane M. Byrne
said, “The veterans members of the Manuel Perez Jr. Post in Little Village are
the caretakers of the plaza.”
Director Anaya & Sen. Tony Munoz |
VA
TOUR: Newly appointed director, Michael A. Anaya, Sr. of the Jesse
Brown VA Medical Center, 820 S. Damen Ave. held a reception at his office
Monday, Oct. 17, 2011 in celebration of 2011 Hispanic Heritage Month. Special
visitor at the reception was Illinois State Senator Antonio “Tony” Munoz.
INTRODUCING
Director Anaya to the visitors was Jessie
J. Castaneda, Hispanic Employment
Program manager, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Jesse Brown VA Medical
Center.
DIRECTOR
ANAYA introduced Sen. Munoz and presented him with a plaque in
appreciation for his support of veterans and to the Medical Center. “I would
like to thank Director Anaya, his staff and all the employees here at the
Medical Center for the work they are doing to help our veterans,” said Munoz.
Sen. Munoz is an army veteran and his son is a U.S. Marine doing a tour in
Afghanistan.
SOME
OF guest at the reception
were Abundio Zaragoza, Superintendent
of Veterans Assistance Commission;
Victor Franco Jr., former Post Commander of the Military Order of the Purple
Heart; Jose L. Martinez, Korean War
veteran and the first Mexican-American wounded in action in the Korean war and
yours truly. A tour of the modernize
facility was given to the visitors. For more info on the VA Medical Center
call: 312/569-8387.
GRAND
OPENING: A new library, the Little Village Branch, 2301 S. Kedzie
Ave. opened its doors Monday, Oct. 3, 2011. The library was full of
neighborhood parents and students who were excited about the new facility. Many
shelves were empty and Head librarian, Teresa
M. Madrigal, explained that the library would be receiving more books.
LIBRARY HOURS:
Monday and Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuesday and
Thursday: Noon to 8 p.m.
Friday and
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: CLOSED.
“Great spirits have
always encountered
violent opposition from mediocre minds.”
violent opposition from mediocre minds.”
--Albert
Einstein
[1879-1955]