Mission College Event Recognizes Korea Vets

In an early salute to Veteran’s Day, Mission College officials will present a program Wednesday, featuring retired Army Col. Leonard Wallach Jr..

The theme of this year’s celebration will be the Korean War, said Larry Patino, a Persian Gulf War veteran and psychology student at Mission who is helping to organize the event.

“They call the Korean War the forgotten war, and we want to make sure it isn’t,” said Patino.

Wallach, who served in World War II and Korea before spending three tours of duty in Vietnam, will speak to students and fellow veterans about his experiences in the Korean conflict.

Afterward, a 21-gun salute will honor the thousands of men and women who have given their lives fighting in the nation’s wars, Patino said.

“Sometimes young people forget what Veteran’s Day is all about,” said Patino. “The blanket of freedom that we live under is the result of other people’s sacrifices.”

A collection of military vehicles and weapons will also be on display during the event.

The program will be held from 10 to 11 p.m. in front of the flagpole at the Sylmar campus, 13356 Eldridge Ave., Sylmar.

For more information, call Mission’s Office of Veterans Affairs, (818) 364-7864.