Thank you Veterans on This and Every Day

This weekend I had the honor of participating in two Veterans Day events in the Northeast: a Veterans Day Memorial and the 3rd Annual Eagle Rock Veterans Day Parade. The memorial took place in the morning and was a serene ceremony outside the old Eagle Rock City Hall (and home to my Eagle Rock District Office), where two memorial rocks commemorate our Veterans of Foreign Wars and our Filipino veterans, who are still trying to be recognized by our federal government for benefits related to their valiant efforts during World War II. On behalf of the organizing committee I had the privilege of giving out recognition medals to Jack and Meritt Tritch, two brothers, who along with their brother Stuart Tritch Jr., who was killed in World War II, served honorably in the service. Their father, the late Stuart Tritch was also a veteran. The Tritch brothers, owners of Tritch Hardware Store, were this year’s grand marshal for the parade, which drew hundreds who came out to honor our servicemen and women. Thank you so much to the Tritch brothers, our Filipino veterans, and all our veterans on this day and every day for protecting the freedoms we hold so dear.

Honoring a School that Honored Me

On Saturday, I was fortunate enough to be honored by my alma mater, Salesian High School, at their 50th Gala Anniversary. The dinner at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles raised funds to help students with tuition costs at the Eastside Catholic boys school. Former student, Albert G. Alvarado, district director of the U.S. Small Businesses Administration, was also honored, as was the legendary brother, the late Thomas J. Keegan who served Salesian high school from 1958-1997. Growing up in Boyle Heights, I got into some trouble in middle school and attending Salesian literally changed the course of my life. The school’s Order of Saint John Don Bosco is dedicated to helping disadvantaged youth, and they certainly lived up to that at Salesian, taking thousands of “at-risk” boys and molding them into productive and socially conscious young men. I’ve often said, without Salesian, I never would have become a councilmember. I am forever indebted to the staff and brothers and sisters for all they’ve done for me. They were honoring me Saturday, but really I should be honoring them. I know my fellow Salesian brothers feel the same. Go Mustangs!

Nightmare on First Street and Legend of Creepy Collis Add up to Scary-Good Time

I think it’s a toss up who enjoys our annual Halloween events more each year: the kids in Boyle heights and El Sereno or me. At our Nightmare on First Street in Boyle Heights, we had more than 2,000 people attend. I raffled off movie passes and gift cards for Toys R Us and Target. Some of our other sponsors included Univision Radio, “Madagascar 2: Escape from Africa” and “Legend of the Seeker,” a new show on KTLA. In El Sereno, The Legend of Creepy Collis, on Collis Avenue, just gets better each year. Sponsored by my office, the Creepy Collis Committee and LA-32 Neighborhood Council, this year’s fun-packed night was attended by more than 3,500 people and offered up two magic shows, a haunted maze and a few fortune tellers. We gave out prizes for best costumes (a little toddler dressed as a bumblebee was my favorite). Thanks to everyone for working so hard and making these events such a smashing successes. These type of events help build communities and we’ll try to have as many as we possibly can.

Dancing, Costumes and Some Cash to Help Seniors

On Thursday, I attended the El Sereno Senior Citizen Center annual Halloween luncheon and dance to present the group with a $3,420 check to replace some items stolen or damaged following a couple of break-ins in August. There were about 150 people in attendance, many in colorful and creative costumes to mark the holiday. Their spirits were pretty high already, but they absolutely soared when we announced that the money was going to purchase a new television set, a DVD/VCR unit and some couches and chairs. It was important to remind these seniors who have done so much to make the rest of our lives easier that the thoughtless actions of a few do not represent the feelings of so many others. We respect our seniors and we want them to be comfortable and hopefully these new items will help. I have to say that a few seniors got me out on the dance floor and showed me that they are still young and vibrant at heart. It was a lot of fun and we’ll do it again at the annual Senior Snowball in December!