Veterans Day provides us with the opportunity to honor those who wear and have worn the uniform of the United States. We also pause today to remember those who gave their lives beneath our flag—in the service of our freedom and the defense of our values.
With many still fighting around the world, we also owe a special thanks to the families of those who serve. Earlier today, at the historic Cinco Puntos (Five Points), home of the historic Mexican American All Wars Memorial monument, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4696 & American Legion, known for their annual Memorial Day ceremony, hosted their first Veterans’ Day commemoration.
This Eastside Veterans’ Day featured its first female keynote speaker, Iraqi War veteran Veronica Mayela Martinez. Tony Zapata, Boyle Heights resident, Navy veteran, and Los Angeles County 2010 Veteran of the Year, was also recognized from the podium.
