Polkas to Prizes : 5,000 Turn Out at Senior Citizens’ Rally

The San Diego Civic Center was packed with senior citizens Wednesday who were doing everything from dancing the “Pennsylvania Polka” to having their blood pressure checked and winning weekend trips to Las Vegas.

It was the 23rd annual Senior Rally Day, and more than 5,000 people took part in the entertainment including costume contests with a theme of “Circus for Seniors,” and door prize drawings. Eighty-three commercial and nonprofit agencies that offer services or items of interest to senior citizens had booths in the adjoining Plaza Hall offering financial, health and travel tips.

“The whole idea behind this is to be recognized as a senior citizen,” said Evelyn Herrmann, the 67-year-old chairwoman of the Committee on Programming for Senior Citizens of San Diego County (COMPS), which sponsored the event. “All of this is a terrific morale booster.”

The rally has traditionally been the largest event for seniors in San Diego County and has been held for the 23 years, since it began with President John F. Kennedy’s declaration of May as National Older Americans’ Month.

One of the services offered was a free test, courtesy of the National Society to Prevent Blindness, for glaucoma. Five people discovered they suffered from the ailment after taking the test and will receive treatment.

Among the 17 entertainers at the event, most senior citizens, was Gerardo Alison, a 65-year-old Filipino saxophonist. Alison said he was having a great time playing for the audience. He said it reminded him of playing Jimmy Dorsey and Glenn Miller tunes in the Filipino nightclubs in the 1940s and ‘50s.

“I came to the United States two years ago, and now I’m searching for a band,” Alison said.

Not everyone at the rally was there just for the free food and entertainment.

Some voiced their concerns over reductions in Social Security benefits that have been backed by President Reagan and Senate Republican leaders. According to the San Diego Seniors for Social Justice, the reductions would come in the form of higher monthly Medicare premiums and reduced cost-of-living increases.

“It would push at least a half million senior citizens below the government poverty line,” Bee Davis, a representative of the San Diego Gray Panthers, told reporters. “Remember, eventually we are all going to be seniors, whether we like it or not.”

The rally was free, supported by donations and fees paid by the organizations sponsoring booths. COMPS members include professionals throughout the country who direct service programs for senior citizens.