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Editorial: What’s Wrong with the Raul Morin/All Wars Memorial Name?

By EGP Editorial

During the Memorial Day Observance at the Veterans Memorial in East Los Angeles it became evident that there is a schism growing among members of the local veterans’ organizations.

To say the disagreement is “unworthy” of the purpose for which the Memorial Park at Cinco Puntos was dedicated would be putting it mildly.

It seems to us that the disagreement over what the patch of land in East Los Angeles where veteran memorial monuments honoring the brave men and women who have sacrificed their lives in the name of freedom, should be called, is a disservice to the memory of those same brave heroes.

The debate over the name of the memorial site could so easily be solved, if the local veterans groups would think more about history and service, and less about winning the battle over the name.

We recognize that there are some veterans who are trying to by more inclusive, to recognize the sacrifice of many. This is honorable, but it should not come at the cost of forgetting or ignoring the fact that the memorial exists mainly because of the dedicated efforts of Raul Morin, for whom the site was named back in 1967.

It was Morin, a WWII veteran whose book “Among the Valiant” first chronicled the names and heroic actions of all Mexican-American Medal of Honor recipients of the country’s wars up to the Korean Conflict. There were many other veterans who supported Morin’s mission, and many are still alive today, but it was his efforts that shed light on the country’s Mexican-American war heroes.

Since Morin’s book was published the country’s warriors have fought other wars, it’s true. The names of all those sacrificing their lives to protect us should also be chronicled.

Still, there are many residents of Los Angeles County who, for the last 40 plus years have known the site as the Raul Morin Memorial. We just can’t understand why the tribute to our fallen heroes cannot be known as The Raul Morin All Wars Memorial, as a tribute to both our historic past and ongoing record of service and sacrifice.
Our veterans deserve no less.



War Veterans Split by Street and Meaning

By Paul Aranda Jr., EGP Staff Writer

Across the street from a Memorial Day ceremony in East Los Angeles on Monday morning, a group of several dozen people in white t-shirts gathered in silent protest.

The group of veterans and supporters wore t-shirts bearing the words “Raul Morin Memorial Square, Now and Forever” as a symbol of their efforts to preserve something granted four decades earlier.

On July 27, 1967, the Los Angeles City Council passed a resolution declaring that the triangular parcel of city-owned land located on both sides of Brooklyn Avenue (now Cesar Chavez Boulevard) westerly of Indiana Street be set aside and named ‘Morin Memorial Square.’ Today, the square is commonly referred to as the All Wars Memorial.

The council passed the resolution following the death of Raul Morin, a decorated WWII veteran who led the effort to gain recognition for the contributions of Mexican-American service members during WWII and the Korean War. In 1963 Morin authored the book, “Among the Valiant,” which chronicled the story of the Mexican American Congressional Medal of Honor winners during the two wars. In addition to his work as an author, Morin was the founder of the American GI Forum in California and a charter member of the Eugene A. Obregon American Legion Post No, 804. Morin also served as a charter member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars-East Los Angeles Post No. 4696 and several other significant organizations.

Eddie Morin, the son of Raul, led the group, which also attended the ceremony to honor the memories of all members of the military who died in service of their country. Eddie Morin served in the Army during the Vietnam War. He is the recipient of the Purple Heart along with the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.

Eddie said the decision by the VFW and the American Legion to refer to the site as the All Wars Memorial is too vague and removes the meaning of the memorial.

He said part of the problem is the confusion over the boundaries of Morin Memorial Square. He said it should include the whole park area, not just the piece of land where the Morin Monument sits. Cesar Chavez Boulevard splits the park area into two small plots, each side with a different memorial.

Eddie Morin did not hide his displeasure as he recalled the reaction he gets when he makes his case to preserve the memorial named after his father.

“I feel strung along,” he said. “I feel like an outsider. When I mention my displeasure they treat me like a deranged person.”



Eastside War Heroes Remembered

Memorial Day ceremony brings together generations of veterans and families, from WWII to Iraq and Afghanistan.

By Paul Aranda Jr., EGP Staff Writer

In the unforgiving jungles of Vietnam, in the midst of the intense firefight of Operation Utah, Danny L. Hernandez, a young Marine from East Los Angeles suffered multiple gun shot wounds, including one to his head.

“The Angel of death had its sights on me,” Hernandez recalled, “I knew I was in trouble.”

Hernandez said after he was shot he crawled back to get his helmet because he had wanted to place it in the back of his 1958 Chevrolet. Even in the middle of combat, Hernandez never lost his treasured memories of cruising down Whittier Boulevard. Hernandez would eventually lose possession of the helmet during his evacuation from the battlefield, but he would never lose the memories of his fellow Marines who did not return home to the Eastside alive.
After the ceremony, many people wanted to shake the hand of decorated fighter pilot, Louis DeAnda, a 1st Lt. in the Army Air Force during WWII.

After the ceremony, many people wanted to shake the hand of decorated fighter pilot, Louis DeAnda, a 1st Lt. in the Army Air Force during WWII. (EGP Photo by John Ung)

For the past three decades, Hernandez has built a name for himself not for his actions in Vietnam, but rather his actions as the leader of the Hollenbeck Youth Center in Boyle Heights. Few people have ever heard Hernandez recount the actions that resulted in a Silver Star, oddly, neither had Hernandez.

It was only one month ago that he received a letter stating, that after 40 years, his heroic actions during the Vietnam War have earned him the Silver Star. On Monday, May 25, he publicly shared his story for the first time at the 62 Annual Memorial Day Observance at the All Wars Memorial located at Cinco Puntos in East Los Angeles.

Local veterans and community members gathered this past Monday at the memorial located at the intersection of Lorena Street, Indiana Street and Cesar Chavez Boulevard to remember all those in uniform who never returned home. The ceremony followed the conclusion of the third Annual Honor Guard Vigil. The 24-hour silent honor guard that started on Sunday morning consisted of various groups of volunteers that guarded the war memorial in 30-minute shifts. Local Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard and her husband Edward T. Allard III, a Vietnam veteran, stood tall for the final half-hour guard watch on Monday morning as the audience gathered for the memorial ceremony. Roybal-Allard highlighted various efforts by the federal government to support veterans. In addition to the over $5 billion increase in the Department of Veterans Affairs budget, she mentioned a new program at the University of Southern California designed to train social workers to address the specific needs of combat veterans. Roybal-Allard urged all in attendance to contact any surviving WWII veterans for participation in a new oral history project on Latino veterans who fought in the war.

One WWII veteran in attendance received the biggest ovation from the audience. During WWII, Louis DeAnda was a 1st Lt. in the Army Air Force who flew dozens of combat missions throughout Europe. His actions earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross. When the ceremony concluded, people gathered to spend a few moments with the decorated fighter pilot. When asked how all the gratitude for his actions felt, the 87-year-old veteran flashed a big smile, “I love it,” he said. He added that it was good to see recognition for all the veterans who have served throughout the years.

Local elected officials including Assemblyman John Perez and Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar joined Roybal-Allard at the ceremony. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Post 4696, and the American Legion, Post 804 of East Los Angeles coordinated both the Honor Guard and the Memorial Day ceremony. Hector Elizalde represented the city of Vernon, a co-sponsor of the event.

After the ceremony, Hernandez said he has never told his combat stories because he has a new mission.
“There’s different types of leadership,” he said. At that moment, a fellow Marine veteran standing by his side said Hernandez is very humble.

“I am the smaller part of a much bigger story,” Hernandez said. “Each story has a name. We honor those names today.”