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Medal of Honor |
A SALUTE:
Officers and members of the Manuel Perez Jr. American
Legion Post 1014, Mexican American Veteran Association [MAVA] and
American Veterans [AMVETS] will pay homage to the soldiers who have
died in battle. The celebration will take place on Memorial Day
Monday, May 26, 2014. Private first class, Manuel Perez Jr.,
received the Medal of Honor for his bravery in WWII.
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PFC Manuel Perez Jr. |
FACES OF
HONOR: On Tuesday, March 18, 2014, President Barack Obama awarded
the Medal of Honor to 24 veterans who were passed over due to
discrimination. The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in
combat given to a soldier. In reviewing military records in 2013, it
was discovered that 17 Hispanic soldiers should have received the
Medal of Honor.
PRESIDENT
Barack Obama honored those 17 Hispanic Army veterans with the Medal
of Honor. For service in World War II: Pvt. Pedro Cano, Pvt.
Joe Gandara, Staff Sgt. Salvador Lara, Master Sgt.
Manuel Mendoza. For service in Korean War: Sgt. Victor
Espinoza, Sgt. 1st Class Eduardo Gomez,
Master Sgt. Juan Negron, Master Sgt. Mike Pena, Pfc.
Demensio Rivera, Pvt. Miguel Vera. For service in
Vietnam War: Spc. Leonard Alvarado, Staff Sgt. Felix
Conde-Falcon, Sgt. Ardie Copas, Sgt. Jesus
Duran, Sgt. Santiago Erevia, Sgt. Candelario Garcia and
Master Sgt. Jose Rodela. President Obama said the medal is
the highest military award, given to American soldier who displayed
“gallantry above and beyond the call of duty” for their combat
actions in Vietnam, Korea and World War II. Most of the recipients
are Mexican-American and deceased. All are American heroes.
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Guy Gabaldon |
GABALDON
captured 1,500 Japanese soldiers single-handed. By his heroism, Guy
saved the lives of hundreds of American soldiers. He is the only
American soldier who ever captured so many of the enemy. Sgt. Alvin
C. York, one of the most decorated American soldiers in World War I,
received the Congressional Medal of Honor for capturing, with the
help of seven other American soldiers, 132 of the enemy.
MOVIE STAR,
Jeffery Hunter, played Guy Gabaldon in the movie “Hell to
Eternity”. It was reported Hollywood could not find a
Mexican actor to play Gabaldon. Gabaldon was raised in East Los
Angeles, California and he spoke fluent Japanese. The story is a
Japanese couple raised him, as their own, because his Mexican mother,
who was deported to Mexico, gave Guy to them. Another story is that
Guy lived near Little Tokyo in L.A. and learned Japanese. He loved
the Japanese people and even married a Japanese woman. His friends
called him “Gabby.”
PRESIDENT
OBAMA should have upgraded GUY GABALDON for a Medal of
Honor. Guy is a real American Hero.
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L-R: Travis Bogle, Smith Park Supervisor; Past SPAC President Erich Muellner and SPAC President David R. Ramos |
MUELLNER
decided not to seek re-election due to his family moving to the North
side of Chicago. “My heart is still with Smith Park, this is where
my young children learned to take their first steps and learned how
to ride a bicycle,” said Muellner.
RAMOS is
a Chicago Police Officer for 20 years, and was the former Department
of Homeland Security Chief for Chicago-Cook County. He served as the
past President of the Chicago Grand Neighbors Association and brings
a wealth of knowledge to Smith Park. Congrats to all.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
JUNE/JUNIO 7, 2014—“Rummage
Sale/Venta de Garaja” at Joseph E. Gary Elementary, 3740 W. 31st
St. from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Cost space: $10. Admission is free. For
questions/preguntas: Call the school/ Llame la escuela 773/534-1455.