A Tribute To A Fallen Soldier: Street Dedication Omar E. Torres Way, Ald. Ariel Reboyras [30th Ward], Latin American Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Meeting, Boy Scout 306 Pancake Breakfast

         

PFC. Omar E. Torres

          A TRIBUTE TO A FALLEN SOLDIER: On April 2, 2013 an Honorary street dedication was held at the 4600 block of South Keeler Avenue as the Omar E. Torres Way. U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (IL-3) was joined by Chicago Ald. Ed Burke (14th), neighborhood leaders and the family of Private First Class Omar E. Torres. 
          ARMY Pfc. Omar E. Torres, 20, of Chicago died August 22, 2007. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. Pvt. Torres was killed from wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated hitting his unit during combat operations while patrolling Baghdad in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
          REP. LIPINSKI said “I am deeply honored to participate in dedicating the street where Pvt. Torres was raised and to see how much this means to his family, friends, and former neighbors”. “TORRES TRULY was a hero who made a difference in his community and continues to make an impact to this day. I will always remember the outpouring from the community at Omar’s wake at St. Richard. Now, when people see the signs for Omar E. Torres Way, they will be reminded of him, his bravery, and his selfless service to his country. We will never forget his sacrifice and we are forever indebted to him, as well as to all of the men and women who serve in our armed forces,” concluded Lipinski.
          TORRES grew up on the Keeler block and played football at De La Salle High School before earning a full scholarship to Ohio State University and joining the U.S. Army Reserves.  In 2007, Rep. Lipinski read a statement on the House floor honoring Torres for his accomplishments and sacrifice, noting his interest in politics and strong desire to work for positive change in his country. In addition to the street designation, the UNO charter school at 4248 W. 47th St. is named the PFC Omar E. Torres School. Children from the school attended the dedication ceremony and read poetry honoring Pvt. Torres.         

Ariel Reboyras

           30th WARD:  Ald. Ariel E. Reboyras was sworn in for the first term as Alderman of the 30th Ward on May 7, 2003. He is a native of New York City and at the age of twelve relocated with his parents to Chicago. While attending the University of Illinois at Chicago, Ariel majored in Education and was Co-Captain for the UIC “Flames” baseball team. He began his career as a teacher with Chicago Public Schools at Roberto Clemente High School. At Clemente, Ariel was an Assistant Coach for the sport of football and wrestling. Ending his tenure as a teacher, Ariel became a city worker.

          ARIEL BEGAN his career with the City of Chicago by driving a truck for the City, worked as an Equipment Dispatcher, headed up an Underground Storage Tank Remediation Program for Fleet Management, became an Equipment Coordinator for the Water Department, and assisted with design specifications for the Fleet Management Division. 
          RECOGNIZING his dedication to public service, he was promoted by Mayor Richard M. Daley to Deputy Commissioner for the Department of General Services.          

L. to R.: D. Lorenzo Padron, Chairman & CEO, Latin American Chamber
of Commerce; Ald. Reboyras, Marianne O'Brien Markowitz, Regional Administrator,
U.S. Small Business Administration and Bennett Santana, President of LACC at a
LACC Breakfast Meeting held Thursday, April 18, 2013. 

          ALDERMAN Ariel has volunteered his services to various parks and non-profit organizations, which includes little league baseball and youth football programs. He is also the co-founder of the Northwest Youth Basketball Association and the “Maraton San-Juan,” an 8K Road Race in collaboration with the Chicago Puerto Rican Parade. Ariel is a member of the Healthy Streets Campaign Drive, a member of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), and serves on the Pace Citizen Advisory Board.
          ALD. REBOYRAS is a member of: Budget & Government Operations Committees, Rules & Ethics, Finance, Housing & Real Estate, Public Safety, Transportation, Vice-Chairman of Aviation, Vice-Chairman of License and Consumer Protection. Currently Reboyras is serving his third term as Alderman; having been an alderman since 2006. He is also the Democratic Committeeman of the 30th Ward.

Scout Alex Monarrez & Ricardo Leyte

     TROOP 306: The St. Agnes Church Boy Scout Troop 306 has ten members, starting from 11 years old up to 18 years old; and 25 Cub Scouts, 1st Grade to 5th Grade. The Boy Scouts sponsored a Pancake Breakfast fund-raiser Sunday, April 21, 2013 in St. Agnes’ Social Room in Little Village. More than 200 people attended the breakfast. 

Scouts Maximus Rodriguez, Donny
Simpson, Bryant Hernandez

TOM VLACH is Scout Master of Troop 306, Arlene Zriny is the Boy Scout Committee Member and Thomas P. Zriny is the District Boy Scout Commissioner and formerly the Scout Master of Troop 306. The Cub Scouts meet weekly, on Friday, at St. Agnes Church at 5 p.m. and the Boy Scouts meet at 7 p.m.Troop 306 has been in existence since 1938.
          THE SCOUTS sponsor two Pancake breakfast fund-raisers each year and a popcorn sale in the fall. Proceeds help pay for the scout’s summer camping trip. For more information on scouting call the St. Agnes Rectory at 773/522-0142.