Memorial Day Tribute at Cinco Puntos to Our Nation's Fallen

Signs Unveiled in Honor of Local Korean War Hero

"Memorial Day is the day our nation has set aside to pay tribute to those who gave their life in battle to protect our country's freedoms and our democratic way of life.

The most recent, of course, are those who have died fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq to keep democracy alive abroad and us safe here at home.

Since October 2001, these two wars have cost our country the lives of more than 5,400 U.S. service men and women.

This number includes 583 Californians -- 41 of whom are from our Los Angeles communities.

In honoring them and all who have given their life in defense of our country, it is only fitting that we also pay tribute to their comrades still in harm's way and to the families of all who have served.

Please join me in a moment of silence. Thank you.

Memorial Day is a day filled with the blended emotions of sadness and pride.

The sadness comes with the memory of friends and family members who gave their life protecting our country.

Our sense of pride comes when we reflect on their heroism and patriotism which we all know is deeply rooted in our Boyle Heights community.

Today my sense of sadness and pride is very personal as we pay tribute to Private First Class Eugene Arnold Obregon.

You see, he and his family were our neighbors to the right of us when I was growing up here in Boyle Heights on So. Evergreen Avenue.

My sadness comes as I think back to when I was nine years old and heard the cries of anguish that came from the Obregon house when Eugene's parents learned he had been killed by enemy forces in Korea.

It was 1950, just before Eugene's 20th birthday.

My sense of pride comes when I reflect on how his selfless act of courage above and beyond the call of duty was recognized by President Harry S. Truman who posthumously presented Eugene with the Medal of Honor for his valor in action against an enemy force.

Senator Gil Cedillo and Supervisor Gloria Molina, due to your efforts, from this day forward, those who drive through our community will constantly be reminded of the valor of our local hero and of the heroism, sacrifices and contributions made to our country by the Mexican American community of Boyle Heights.

As we honor our fallen heroes it is also fitting for us to pay tribute to our veterans and our service men and women both on and off the battlefield.

That is why I am so proud of the fact that under our Democratic leadership in Congress, my colleagues and I have passed legislation that reflects the appreciation and respect they have earned and deserve.

This month for example, the President signed landmark legislation that provides desperately needed support for our military families who care for our sick, disabled or injured veterans when they return from Iraq and Afghanistan.

The legislation also prohibits our most severely wounded soldiers from having to pay co-payments, and it removes the barriers that exist for our women in uniform when they seek medical care.

Congress also passed legislation that gives our troops a pay raise, helps restore our military readiness, bolsters support for our military families and protects their health care system.

Finally, to ensure that current and future generations know of the historical contributions made in defense of our country by our Mexican American community and all Latinos, I was more than pleased to have secured federal dollars for the, "U.S. Latino and Latina World War II Oral History Project."

This project will help highlight the significant contributions made by the estimated 250,000 to 750,000 Latinos and Latinas who served in the armed forces during World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War.

Participation in this project will help ensure your stories and the lessons they encompass will live on for future generations.

To every generation of G.I., I say thank you on behalf of a grateful nation.

May God bless you, our troops, and the United States of America."

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