Latino Lorain History Project looks to catalog Hispanic veterans' stories

LORAIN — The Latino Lorain History Project hopes to expand its collection to include stories and voices from its community of veterans this year. The current exhibit, a collaboration of the Lorain Historical Society, Oberlin College and El Centro de Servicios Sociales, debuted in 2021 to commemorate "100 Years of Latino History in Lorain." The movable panels catalog the history of Vine Avenue on the city's south side, with highlights taken from the ongoing oral history project. Now, the group is working on expanding those interviews to highlight Lorain's Hispanic and Latino veterans, while working in parallel to move renovations on the city's Hispanic veterans memorial ahead in honor of the late retired police Chief Cel Rivera. Joined by Oberlin College and Lorain County Community College students Thursday evening, organizers discussed plans to make an Ohio Hispanic Veterans Memorial in Oakwood Park along Grove Avenue — something Rivera had worked tirelessly for until his sudden passing, El Centro Executive Director Victor Leandry said. Rivera, 72, of Wakeman died unexpectedly June 22. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in Vietnam, and was awarded the Bronze Star, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Medal and Good Conduct Medal before returning to the International City to begin his 49-year career with the Lorain Police Department. The Ohio Hispanic Veterans Memorial committee — led by Leandry and Rivera's widow, Elba Armstrong — hopes to unveil the first phase of the memorial next fall, and is in the midst of starting a capital campaign to raise $500,000 to see it happen. "I'm going to take a lead on this and make sure this happens," Leandry said, wanting to honor his longtime friend and mentor. Oberlin College professor Dina Perez said Oberlin College and LCCC students plan to interview eight to 10 veterans this semester, helping build the Latino Lorain exhibit for next year as well. Interviews may be done in English or Spanish, and will be translated into both languages on the Latino Lorain website by students. Lorain Historical Society Executive Director Barb Piscopo said they're looking into the possibility of using highlights from those veterans' interviews on boards throughout Oakwood Park, leading visitors to the veterans memorial. Clark and Post Architects will plot out locations, she said, including looking at a walkway from the current memorial on Clinton Avenue to the proposed site along the thoroughfare near the Ohio Army National Guard Post near East 35th Street and Grove Avenue. "We all have a story and all those stories are so important to capture," Piscopo said. "The power of the human story and human life is what this is all about." Those interested in participating in an oral interview can contact Lorain Historical Society AmeriCorps volunteer Kaitlyn Brulia at kbrulia@lorainhistory.org. Those interested in donating to the Ohio Hispanic Veterans Memorial campaign may make checks payable to El Centro de Servicios Sociales, with "Ohio Hispanic Veterans Memorial" in the memo line. El Centro is at 2800 Pearl Ave., Lorain. "Celebrating 100 Years: Latino History in Lorain, Ohio" will premiere at the Oberlin Library at 6 p.m. Friday and runs through Oct. 8. It will then be displayed Oct. 10-31. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.