Celebrating Our Veterans

On Tuesday, November 5, Las Positas Elementary held its annual Veteran's Day Assembly. This year Corporal Rodriguez, a local La Habra hero, was honored and presented with an American Flag for his service to our Nation.  The festivities began with the Buena Park High School AFJROTC presenting the colors of our flag and included students from grades 3-5 singing Patriotic songs.  

Corporal Rodriguez served from 1949-1953. During this time he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan as a member of the 29th Regimental Combat Team, later on known as the “Tragic 29th” while deployed to Korea.  On July 24, 1950, Corporal Rodriguez’s unit was placed near the Chinju Pass where his unit faced heavy North Korean forces. Within 3 days, nearly his entire unit was wiped out. Outmanned, outgunned, and wounded Corporal Rodriguez held his position until reinforcements came.  Not only did he show bravery and courage during this time, he continued and in February 1951, near Anyang-Ni Korea, Corporal Rodriguez again held his position against an overwhelming North Korean Army.  For his actions, he earned numerous medals such as the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. However, for his gallantry in action against enemy forces, he earned the third highest medal in the Armed Forces, the Silver Star.