Not all movie studios create the space for groups like VETS @ Sony Pictures, but with Memorial Day coming close on the calendar, it’s time to consider the importance of the connections that former service men and women have with our entertainment industry. The Veterans Employee Business Resource Group at Sony Pictures Entertainment will be hosting their annual Memorial Remembrance at the National Veteran Cemetery in West Los Angeles on Sunday, May 26th, from 9 am to the placement of all carnations.
This year’s event will be the sixth.
First, a bit of background. Ruben Rocha started the remembrance event “to honor my brothers and some of those who rest with them at the National Cemetery. My brother, Robert Salas Rocha was killed in action in Vietnam on November 14th, 1970 at the age of 19. Rudy “Lolo” Rocha, also a Vietnam veteran, passed away Sept 5th, 2018. I dearly miss them both.”
When this started in 2013, there was just enough money to purchase 500 carnations. Last year, with the help of those who donate and volunteered, VETS @ Sony were able to place 22,000 carnations on individual graves.
Donations thus far in 2019 will allow us to purchase 60,000 flowers. Rocha noted “Our objective has always been to place a carnation on each grave at the cemetery. With your help, along with the help of our vendors and our friends at USVAA — a non-profit that works alongside our organization to assist military veterans — we know we can reach our goal to place 88,000 carnations on the final resting place of the veterans interred at the cemetery.”
We’d like to invite you to go to USVAA.org/MemorialDay and select the donation button. Your contribution will allow us to purchase more red and white carnations.
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