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A message from League of United Latin American Citizens

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View as web page:
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LULAC Shield Reminds America Of Our Service To God And Country
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Nation’s Oldest and Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization Observes Memorial
Day in Solemn Thanks to Fallen Soldiers

Washington, DC - The empty spot at the head of a family table, the quiet void of
a son or daughter’s now empty bedroom or the silent pain still felt by a widow
holding a framed photo of her fallen loved one. Each of these moments is
happening across America on this Memorial Day weekend as a nation remembers and
honors its soldiers lost in combat.

“For LULAC, this is always one of the most important days each year because it
reminds us of the principles our founders had in their hearts when this
organization was established,” says Roman Palomares, Marine Corps Veteran and
Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee. “Our very shield, the emblem we wear
with so much pride, exemplifies LULAC’s commitment to service and gratitude to
the nation that makes it possible, including our courageous men and women in
military uniform who sacrificed their all for us,” says Palomares.

The highest formal recognition paid to a soldier, including those killed in
battle, is the Medal of Honor and more than 40 times the recipient has been of
Latino descent. Yet, there are many more whose deaths may never be so honored.
Yet, the LULAC familia will share stories this weekend as they remember. They
will laugh and cry as they celebrate the good times they had together with them
and find peace knowing they were honorable padres, mamas, hijos, hijas and died
doing something they believed in deeply, love for their country. Yes, LULAC will
be forever grateful to those men and women who gave their last breath for us.

“People sometimes forget that Jose y Maria have also worn a military uniform and
died for this country,” says Domingo Garcia, National President. “Many of them
have even been immigrants like Marine Lance Corporal Jose Antonio Gutierrez who
grew up an orphan on the streets of Guatemala City before walking through Mexico
to reach the U.S., entered illegally but later enlisted and was killed in Iraq.
Then, there is Lori Ann Piestewa from Arizona, daughter of a Latina, mother of
two children and the first woman in the U.S. military killed while serving her
country in Iraq. Or, my super hero, Sergeant Marcario Garcia from Houston, Texas
who fought with the U.S. Army in Germany and received the Medal of Honor. He
single-handedly attacked and overran an enemy machine gun position and was
seriously wounded in the process. Then, his squad came under fire a second time.
Crawling, bleeding, in agony and without regard for his own life, he went out
again and overran the second position to save the other Americans in his unit.
Asi somos, that is who we are. Each soldier, each death, each life, cuenta por
mucho,” he says.

Sindy Benavides, LULAC National Chief Executive Officer, says Memorial Day
enables all of us to reflect on how we can pay tribute to America’s fallen brave.
“As a young immigrant Latina growing up in this country, I realized early that I
had a duty, not just to myself, but to others including our Latino soldiers who
gave their lives for this country. So many of our brave soldiers understood they
were putting their lives on the line and served our country honorably because
they believed in our democracy and country. This is why I share with young people
to make the most out of every opportunity and that’s how we honor our
antepasados. We have the chance of making our own choices because someone paid a
price to give us those freedoms. May we each on this Memorial Day say a silent
prayer, raise our salute to them and may they rest in peace.”

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About LULAC
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and
oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans
and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000
councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and
advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of
today and the future. For more information, visit www.LULAC.org [ [link removed] ] .







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