About Us
El Soldado Latino Monument Dedication in 1951.
In 1948 a group of Mexican wives and mothers formed "La Sociedad de Madres Mexicanas" (Society of Mexican Mothers) with a goal of establishing a memorial for their fallen sons and husbands in action during World War II. Through a series of grassroots fundraisers, they raised sufficient funds to purchase a hand-carved marble statute named "El Soldado." The Memorial Statute was originally placed at the Sacramento Mexican-American Center and moved to its current site in 1975.
Our history
American Latinos have played a key role in U.S. Military history dating back to the American Revolution. It is essential for their stories to be told with the El Soldado Memorial serving as symbol for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. A goal of the El Soldado Latino is to share those stories and history.
Our mission
The El Soldado Latino's mission is to ensure the rehabilitation and enhancement of the El Soldado Memorial by January 1, 2023. On September 1, 2016, the first phase was completed. Now it is our goal to continue raising funds necessary to complete phase two and three. Won't you join us in our quest?
EL Soldado Latino Members
El Soldado Latino is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose members are dedicated to raise funds and complete the rehabilitation and enhancement of El Soldado Memoria. The El Soldado Latino members are as follows:
President: Ricardo Sanchez - CFO for the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association
Vice President: Pedro Hernandez - Retired Military, Organizational Historian
Secretary: Christine Herman
Treasurer: Martin Deffee
Public Relations: Adrian Perez, Owner of POP-9 Communications
Director: John Mora
Director: Mina Perez, President/CEO Vida de Oro Foundation
Director: Robert Ruiz, Retired California Department of Veterans Affairs
Director: Richard Alcala
Director: Bill Spurgin
Director: Juan Vasquez
Director: Carlotta Ruiz
Director: Lupe Hernandez
Director: Molly Castro
Sergeant At Arms: Marco Castro
Help Our Cause
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals to rehabilitate and enhance the El Soldado Memorial.
You Are Invited To Join Us August 20, 2022
You are invited to join us for a unique fundraiser at the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs facility. Go to our EVENTS page for more details.