WHITTIER - Rep. Linda Sanchez launched her new veterans' outreach program last Friday by naming retired U.S. Army Sgt. Raymond Ramirez, of Whittier, as "Veteran of the Month" for the 39th Congressional district.Ramirez began his military career in 1964 when he enlisted with the Army and was immediately deployed to Vietnam. He was assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade, the first major ground combat unit of the Army to serve in Vietnam. Ramirez exhibited courage and heroism while in combat, Sanchez said, earning him awards and medals, including the Combat Infantry Badge and the Army Commendation Medal with V Device, 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster. His unit also received the Presidential Unit Citation (Navy) for assisting the Marines in the fall of 1966, and the Meritorious Unit Citation. Upon his return from Vietnam in June of 1967, Ramirez was assigned to the 1st Armored Division at Fort Hood, Tex. Later, Ramirez attended Rio Hondo College and Cal State L.A. He then worked for several years in the defense industry and then the county of Los Angeles and city of Commerce for more than 25 years. "Mr. Ramirez's dedication to our country is inspiring and I was pleased to honor him..," Sanchez said. "It's vitally important that we never forget the sacrifices made by our fighting men and women. I look forward to recognizing a new veteran each month." Ramirez is currently an active member of the American Veterans Post 113 in Irwindale and the Association of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, where he is the former president of the Western States, Chapter 10. Notably, he serves on the board of directors for the 173rd Airborne Brigade National Memorial Foundation, whose sole mission is to build a 173rd memorial "on a piece of American soil." Sanchez presented Ramirez with an American flag that was flown over the capitol in his name. The presentation took place at Sanchez's Cerritos office on Oct. 15. Sanchez's Veteran of the Month program is coordinated by her Veterans Advisory Council, comprised of distinguished veterans from across her district. Each month, a veteran will be recognized for their service overseas and here at home. For more information on the program, contact Jamie Zamora at (562) 860-5050 or jamie.zamora@mail.house.gov.

********** Published: October 21, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 27