Chula Vista, other cities in county, to honor WWII veterans

Cities across San Diego County will honor local World War II veterans this Saturday, August 14, day that marks the 65th anniversary of the end of the war.
    As part of the nationwide campaign that tries to inspire a renewed commitment to service and national unity by reminding Americans of how people from all backgrounds came together with a shared sense of community during one of the most difficult times in our nation’s history.
    The City of Chula Vista with the Chula Vista Veterans Home will commemorate the anniversary at an event on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Veterans Home of California-Chula Vista, located at 700 E. Naples Court.
    The event will include live entertainment, displays and exhibits, refreshments, and a barbeque lunch. The public is welcome to view the moving collection of first-hand memories of those who experience August 14, 1945.
    “As Chula Vista prepares to celebrate its Centennial in 2011, it is a time to recognize those who helped shape our community and our veterans played a significant role,” Chula Vista Mayor Sheryl Cox said. “I hope others will take time to learn about the dedication and service of the greatest generation as we look towards the future of Chula Vista and our country.”
    But a spokesperson for Cox said the mayor couldn’t comment on the specific contributions that Mexican-American WWII veterans made, saying that this is an event to honor all veterans.
    This type of unwillingness to recognize the major sacrifices made by the thousands of Mexican-American veterans during World War II is common in mainstream America. When filmmaker Ken Burns’s 2007 PBS documentary The War failed to include the voices and testimonies of Mexican-American and Latino veterans, the Latino community raised its voice against being left out.
    Burns didn’t take into account the thousands of Mexican-American veterans that fought so bravely for the freedoms we now enjoy in the United States.
    But the veterans and soldiers of the Logan Heights area in San Diego have many people that will always be grateful for their contributions and sacrifices.
    Only after many protests, did Director Ken Burns add a couple of testimonies from these groups.
    For WWII veteran, Adam Gastelum, even after the war ended and even after Mexican-Americans were one of the ethnic groups that received the most honors for their contributions and sacrifices, discrimination back at home was still persistent.
    “But I didn’t care about the discrimination,” said the 87-year-old former Chula Vista resident. “It didn’t bother me. I was proud to have served my country, even at such an early age.
    After Mr. Gastelum, then 22, returned home, he founded the Don Diego VFW Post 7420 in Logan Heights, as a place where Mexican-American veterans could offer each other support.
    “Prejudice is always going to be there. The only thought I have about that is that many young Mexican-Americans served our country in the war,” Mr. Gastelum said.
    In addition to the Chula Vista event, there will be other celebrations throughout the county.
    In San Diego, the Veterans Museum and Memorial Center, 2115 Park Blvd.,  in the east side of Balboa Park will host a complete program of music and speakers honoring the veterans from WWII. Congressman Bob Filner will read a House of Representatives proclamation at 12:10 p.m. For more information on this event, please call (619) 569-6230.
    In Escondido, Redwood Senior Homes and Services (RSHS), will have a celebration at the Elderlink Adult Day Care Center from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
    Seniors from the three communities that make up RSHS and their families are invited to come to the Celebration Party and to thank all those who served in World War II.
    Organizers will honor and recognize them during the afternoon, read any stories submitted regarding their memory of August 14th and take photos. There will be a dance band present playing the music of WWII. For more information on the Escondido event, please call Bonnie Sanchez at (760) 291-2713.
    In Coronado, Buglers Across America will have a celebration starting at 7 p.m. at a private residence where there will be performance of taps as part of a nationwide tribute to those lost in World War II and those who have since passed away. For more information on this event, call Frank Hafner at (619) 437-4594.
    For more information on the Keep the Spirit of ’45 Alive! campaign, visit <a href="http://www.spiritof45.org">www.spiritof45.org</a>.