Wave Staff Report
EAST LOS ANGELES — County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis hosted the fourth annual Veterans Day Ceremony and Resource Fair at Obregon Park Nov. 9 in partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veteran Affairs, and featuring emcee Peter G. Hidalgo with Spectrum.
“Today we recognize and honor all those who have served,” Solis said. “Across the country, and here in our First District, our veterans have demonstrated a tremendous amount of sacrifice, commitment, selflessness and courage to serve something greater than themselves, to ensure our communities are safe and continue to thrive.”
Held at Obregon Park, which is fittingly named after local hero, Eugene Arnold Obregon, the event recognized veterans in the East Los Angeles and the surrounding area for their service. Obregon was an East Los Angeles native o was killed ruing the Korean War in September 1950. He subsequently received the Congressional medal of Honor for his heroism in battle.
Together, East Los Angeles expressed gratitude to veterans through a dedicated pinning ceremony. Other program highlights included a free laptop distribution provided by the Internal Services Department for 100 veterans who signed up at the event, 20 free tickets for veterans to a Rams game by the County Department of Military Veterans Affairs, a resource fair for veterans, a complimentary meal by Northgate Market, live music and a kids play area with a bounce house.
Veterans Day originated as Armistice Day on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. The U.S. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. In present day, Veterans Day pays tribute to all veterans — living or dead —but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country during war or peacetime. To that end, this year is especially significant in that Nov. 10, signifies the 249th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps.
Since 2020, Solis has hosted a Veterans Day Ceremony and Resource Fair in East Los Angeles for veterans and veteran families in the surrounding communities in honor of those who have served and to continue to improve access to county resources for veterans.
In addition, Solis authored several motions this year aimed at highlighting and addressing veterans’ needs, including the first annual Veterans Summit, expanding access to health care and mental health services, housing, and directing the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to develop a plan of action for the county to provide services for incarcerated veterans.
