November 06, 2003 :: No. 93

Campus to Host Nov. 8 Veterans Celebration

Veterans past and present will be honored by Cal State Fullerton and the Latino Advocates for Education Saturday, Nov.8, at the 7th annual Veterans Day Celebration: A Tribute to Mexican-American POWs and Iraq war veterans.

The event begins at 10:30 a.m. in the Titan Student Union and will salute veterans who have served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Somalia, Kosovo and Iraq.

During the 11 a.m. program, an estimated 50 former prisoners of war and more than 60 military personnel who served in Iraq will be honored. Additionally, 200 veterans from other wars are expected to attend.

“It is fitting and just that we honor and recognize Latino POWS who endured incredible cruelty and dehumanizing treatment at the hands of America’s enemies,” said Frederick P. Aguirre, president of Latino Advocates for Education and an Orange County superior court judge. “All POWs and Iraq war veterans, regardless of ethnicity, are welcome to attend and be honored.”

Family members of deceased veterans are among those scheduled to participate in the commemorative event, which is open to the public free of charge.

All Iraq war military personnel will receive a proclamation, and the POWs will receive a proclamation and commemorative POW pin.

The proclamations will be presented by Cal State Fullerton alumnus and Congressman Edward R. Royce (R-Fullerton), his House of Representatives colleague Loretta Sanchez (D-Garden Grove), Cal State Fullerton alumnus and Assemblyman Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana) and Assemblywoman Lynn Daucher (R-Brea). Aguirre will present pins to the POWs.

In addition to the program, military memorabilia will be on display in and around the Titan Student Union’s Portola Pavilion, and films will be shown in the Titan Theater following the program.

Color guards from First Marine Division, Santa Ana High School Junior ROTC, Magnolia High School Junior ROTC, Orange County Sheriff’s Department Honor Guard, Ysmael Villegas VWF Post 184, 187th Regimental Combat and the Hispanic American Airborne Association will join Cal State Fullerton’s ROTC color guard at the festivities.

Cal State Fullerton graduates of the university’s ROTC program currently serving in Iraq include Eric Coger (B.A. political science ’01), Ryan Gutzwiler (B.A. American studies ’02) and Andrew Stone (B.A. criminal justice ’01).

This will mark the second year of Cal State Fullerton hosting the popular event, which attracted about 1,500 attendees in 2002.