On Memorial Day, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) joined more than 250 area veterans, local elected officials and members of the community at the intersection commonly known as Cinco Puntos near the Mexican-American All Wars Memorial to pay tribute to service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Organized by the Eugene A. Obregon American Legion Post 804 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4696, the 64th Annual Memorial Day Program at Cinco Puntos followed a 24-hour vigil at the monument to pay tribute to the service men and women who lost their lives in defense of our nation. Prior to the service, Congresswoman Roybal-Allard joined Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti, a Naval Reserve Lieutenant (far left), Assembly Speaker John Perez (second on left), and Agustino R. Olvera, Army Specialist 4, Vietnam veteran, and a member of Post 804 (on right) for the last 30 minutes of the vigil.

The congresswoman made the following remarks at the observance:

“It is truly my honor to be with you once again on this special day of remembrance.

Let me begin by thanking George Ramos, a three-time Pulitzer Prize winner, for his service to our country and for once again joining us on Memorial Day to be our Master of Ceremony.

I also extend my appreciation to Tony Zapata, the members of the organizing committee, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion Post 804 for making today’s event possible.

Memorial Day is the day our country reflects on exceptional lives given in the service of an exceptional nation.

It is the day we are reminded that America’s greatness is not just derived from its economic power or military might, but from the willingness of so many to sacrifice so much.

Throughout our nation’s history, when grave threats have imperiled our freedom, the brave men and women have answered the call to duty.

They are Americans of every color, ethnicity and social class who when faced with immense challenges have met them with courage and dignity.

And despite often impossible odds they have been victorious.

Included among those who have courageously shared in the burdens and in the victories of our country are members of our own Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles communities, along with Latinos from across the country who throughout our nation’s history are recipients of scores of commendations, medals and the Medals of Honor.

While this long standing and historic record of heroism is something in which we can all take great pride, President Obama recently observed that, “being American is not about belonging to a certain group; it’s about believing in a certain set of ideals”.

Memorial Day is as much about the future as it is about the past.

It is a time of reflection but also a time to recommit ourselves to pay tribute to our fallen heroes by striving to be worthy of the sacrifice they made.

Here at home we have an important role to play. For the struggle for freedom is contested not only on distant battlefields but also in our communities.

Let us take this opportunity to rededicate ourselves to do our part to uphold and to practice the democratic ideals in which we all believe and for which our men and women in uniform fought so selflessly to defend.

Let us honor them by voting on election day, by attending community meetings to defend the best interest of our neighborhoods and by working together to build an America worthy of their ultimate sacrifice.

A sacrifice that sadly, since we last gathered here at Cinco Puntos, was made by three more fallen heroes from our 34th Congressional District.

They are: Diego Solorzano-Valdovinos, Rudolf Hizon and Arturo Rodriguez.

As we pay tribute to them and their fallen comrades, I know they would not want us to forget the comrades they left behind who at this very minute, are experiencing the horror and the tragedy of war in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Today, as we have done every year since 9/11, let us once again offer hopeful prayers that by the next Memorial Day our troops will be home and no new names will be added to mourn and for families to comfort.

Let us share a moment of silence and prayer for Diego, Rudolf, Arturo, their families and the thousands of service men and women who like them, gave their lives in the service of this great nation. And let us pray for those who continue to be in harm’s way and for the day, when at long last, all of our brave young men and women in uniform can finally come home.

Thank you. God bless you, our troops, their families, and God bless the United States of America.”