By Patricia Valencia, El Monte Post 261
Unit 261 & District 18 CHAPLAIN
Our community service during this pandemic was unique, efficient and successful. Given the situation with the Coronavirus and social distancing, we worked with what we had, meaning limited access to closed down business, vendors and volunteers.
Our Post Commander Gustavo Ibarra, along with First Vice Larry Rodriquez, immediately took action upon realizing that our community has many elderly veterans on lock down. Our goal was to take food care bags personally to our elderly veteran first, veteran families and anyone in need within our community.
We organized an immediate can drive where everyone in our community came together. At our Kick off Day, we were surprised to see many local leaders supporting our cause. The city of El Monte, assembly, county, school board dignitaries and business leaders came to show support.
Due to social distancing, our can drive was drive thru parking drop & go. We had great success putting those bags together. We had more than enough care food bags to share with our American Legion District 18, the local VFW and even had some left for the Marine Corps League. They in turn would help pass those care food bags to those in need within their organization. It is amazing how beautiful this unifying project turned out. Everyone caring, giving and showing kindness to the community in need.
But the greatest reward happened when our commander, Third Vice David Siegrist and myself visited our elderly veterans. OMG, it was truly an “oh my god” moment in life!
Our elderly veterans are strong, fearless and alive. I teared up with every single visit. These veterans served in WWII, Vietnam & Korea.
This was a one of a kind moment. Why? First, because it was by surprise to our elderly veterans and also because no other commander has done this unique all-day personalized visit to our elderly veterans in which it also happened to be Global Day of Giving & Unity.
BUT WAIT!!! There is more. Our last visit was to the one and only oldest membership of 55 years in Post 261 El Monte. His name is Alex G Espalin. Ok, there is still more.
WE ACTUALLY SANG HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALEX G. ESPALIN FOR TURNING 101 YEARS OLD ON APRIL 9.
What an honor meeting him, this moment will be treasured by all of us. To see our wonderful Veteran Alex G. Espalin smile the biggest smile you have ever seen.
May 5, 2020 will never be forgotten by us, American Legion Post 261.
Author: caLegion Contributor
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