LULAC Shield Reminds America Of Our Service To God And Country

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.