Today until 6pm
American Legion Monterey Park
Smellavision! Come get yours! Tonight until 10pm
Please stop by and wish local WWII Veteran Joe Ortiz a very happy birthday! SPREAD THE WORD!
Birthday Caravan!
Sunday November 21st, 2021
1-1:30pm
Barnes Park Picnic Area
350 Mc Pherrin Avenue
Monterey Park, CA 91754
Signs! Balloons! Honks!
Birthday Greeting for Joe's 99 years!
Yesterday we were honored to attend the farewell to our friend, mentor, elder member.
William R. Sanchez
We continue to lift up the Sanchez Family during this time
He will be layed to rest at Arlington National Cemetery πΊπ²
Here's some life history you may not know about our beloved hero:
On Monday, August 23, 2021, Sergeant William R. Sanchez, United States Army Retired, went home to be with the Lord. Mr. Sanchez was 103 years old when he died peacefully at his home in Monterey Park, California, with his son, David, and Anita, by his side.
William Ramos Sanchez was born on July 18, 1918, in El Paso, Texas, and moved with his family to Los Angeles, CA, at the age of one. Willie was orphaned at age 9. He and his brother, Manuel, and sister, Concha, were graciously taken in by his motherβs sister and her husband, Teresa Ramos and Jesus Munoz (βTiaβ and βTioβ). Willieβs aunt and uncle had four children of their own (Alfred, Henriquetta, Carlota, and Mary) who became like brothers and sisters to them.
Willie graduated from Jefferson High School. After high school, Willie joined the CCC and served in Northern California. He was offered a boxing scholarship to UCLA but, feeling the war was coming, decided to join the Army and volunteered to go overseas to shave a year off of his service. That decision affected the rest of his adult life.
Sgt. Sanchez fought in WWII and was a Prisoner of War (POW) for 3 1/2 years. He was stationed in the Philippines and served on General MacArthur's staff. Sgt. Sanchez was a highly decorated and distinguished World War II veteran. He earned the American Defense Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars, the Philippine Defense Medal with 1 Bronze Star, the Good Conduct Medal, the Victory Ribbon, the Distinguished Unit Badge with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, 1 Service Stripe, and 8 Overseas Service Bars (the max, should have been 10). Mr. Sanchez was a guest to West Point at t