LEGIONNAIRE ED ALVAREZ TRANSFERS TO POST EVERLASTING
Comrades, colleagues and patriots:
Sad news to report that California American Legionnaire Ed Alvarez has
transferred to Post Everlasting
Ed was one of the best of the best in the California Legion. He was always
ready, willing, and able to do what needed to be done, always urging all of us
to think creatively to better serve veterans, and to make the Legion all that it
could be in the noble cause of serving veterans who are serving; veterans who
have served; children and youth; and our American values.
Ed held many, many positions in the Legion, including, among others: Post
Commander, District 29 Commander, Fifth Area Commander, Department of California
Historian and aide to the Commander, and was serving as Judge Advocate of
District 29 (representing all Posts in Orange County, CA), at the time of his
passing.
Ed and his loving wife, Pat, were a team: She was and is as active in the
Auxiliary as Ed was in the Legion. Together, they were a dynamic duo, a true
Legion family, who accomplished much good for an unaccountable many.
Ed continued working although afflicted with serious health problems for many
years. He was not able to attend the just concluded 99th National American
Convention in Reno. When Pat Alvarez returned home from the Convention, she
informs, she found that Ed had passed to Post Everlasting, finally overcome by
his health problems.
I have known Ed Alvarez as friend and comrade in the Legion for some twenty
years. He was a stand up Legionnaire in all those years, always willing to do
what needed to be done, a humble not self-advancing leader, never seeking
personal recognition but instead completely dedicated, with Pat, to service to
God, Country, and the American Legion.
A Memorial for Ed Alvarez was held on Monday, August 28, at the Native
American United Methodist Church in Anaheim.
Military funeral ceremonies were then held at
Loma Vista Cemetery, Fullerton, including the firing of three volleys by a
seven-member rifle team of the
Newport Harbor Post 291 Honor Guard, and the playing of Taps. Private interment
followed.
May God bless and keep Ed Alvarez, this good man, veteran, American Legionnaire,
American patriot. And may God comfort Pat Alvarez, and all who loved and
cherished Ed Alvarez as he deserved to be loved and cherished -- for a life
unselfishly lived in service to God and country in war and in peace.
--Rees
Lloyd