The annual tradition of honoring veterans at the Mexican-American All Wars Memorial in Boyle Heights returns Tuesday.
Veterans, their families and other community members and leaders have frequented the Eastside ceremony at Cinco Puntos for years.
During the event, award-winning meteorologist Vera Jimenez will offer a reading to honor soldiers who have served, and a dance group from Roosevelt High School will perform for attendees.
Donuts and coffee will be offered to community members at the ceremony, according to the event’s flyer. A resource fair, giveaways, a raffle and an LAPD helicopter flyover are also to be expected.
Event co-organizer, Julie Sands, said the yearly ceremony has become something she’s been proud to put together over the years. Sands’ father, Ruben Amaro, served in the Vietnam War.
“Tomorrow, I’m honoring my father. He came back from the war with PTSD and he was not able to live a normal life. I honor my uncles and I honor the veterans of the greater Los Angeles. It’s a time of celebration and giving back and giving thanks for their service,” Sands said.
After 14 years of co-organizing the event with fellow East LA resident and Vietnam veteran Tony Zapata, Sands said she’s retiring from planning both the Veterans Day and Memorial Day celebrations, but reflected on the community the ceremonies have built.
“The Boyle Heights community and the greater Los Angeles veterans community cherish that piece of land and they love coming and celebrating and memorializing there,” Sands said, referring to the space around the memorial. “In the last 14 years, we’ve become a family and I hope that it continues and I hope to see it grow.”
Event details:
When: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: 3300 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave., Los Angeles, CA, 90063
