What:

The Whittier Post Office building will be dedicated in honor of the late Vietnam veteran, Jose Ramos.

Who:

Congresswoman Linda T. Sanchez, Whittier postmaster Jojo Olega and Ramos family

When:

Wednesday, April 20, 2022, 11 a.m.

Where:

Whittier Post Office
8520 Michigan Avenue
Whittier, CA  90605

Please RSVP to natashi.l.garvins@usps.gov

Background:

Jose G. Ramos was born in 1948 to Augustine and Herminia Ramos. Jose attended Garfield High School but enlisted in the Army while he was in the 10th grade. Jose worked as an Army Combat Medic and in 1968, he received the Purple Heart. After returning home, Jose worked at Los Angeles County USC Medical Center and Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital before retiring in 1999.

Ramos served this country in Vietnam as an Army combat medic, often risking his own life to care for others. He received the prestigious Purple Heart medal after being shot in the leg which caused him to return home. After his return, he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, but his diagnosis did not stop his passion and commitment to our country and his fellow servicemembers.

Mr. Ramos committed himself as a powerful advocate for veterans in the community and across the country. Through his personal experiences, and those of his fellow GIs, he was motivated to work toward establishing a National Day of Recognition.

Believing no veteran should be treated with disrespect, Jose Ramos launched a campaign which honors all Vietnam veterans. Ramos and a team of veterans rode their bikes across the United States, from Whittier to Washington D.C., to petition the federal government to proclaim March 30 as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day”, in memory of their last day of service in Vietnam. On September 3rd, 2017, Ramos succumbed to pancreatic cancer. In Whittier, March 30 is also celebrated as “José Ramos Day” to honor him and all Vietnam veterans.

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