Olvera Street to Salute Persian Gulf Vets Today
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Troops who served in the Persian Gulf War, including soldiers from East Los Angeles’ La Verne Avenue, will be saluted today at an Olvera Street welcome from noon to 6 p.m.
Bertha Sanchez, a founder of a Latino support group for military families, said hundreds of Persian Gulf veterans and their relatives are expected to attend the event, sponsored by Los Angeles Councilman Richard Alatorre; the American GI Forum, a Latino veterans group; Veterans in Community Service and other organizations.
Rachel Reyes, the mother of a Navy SEAL serviceman, will be recognized as the unofficial leader of the La Verne Avenue parents. With five young men from the Eastside street serving in Operation Desert Storm, La Verne symbolically became known as “Heroes’ Street,” said Ruben Treviso, regional chairman of the GI Forum.
A tribute also will be paid to veterans of the Vietnam war, whose return home was often met with indifference and scorn two decades ago, and to service members of earlier U.S. wars.
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