felipe hernandez veterans memorial building volunteers paint
Santa Cruz County Supervisor Felipe Hernandez (second from right) is joined by Ramon Gomez (left) and volunteers in wrapping up a repair and paint job of the front of the Veterans Memorial Building on East Beach Street. Photo: Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian

A team of volunteers took on the task to bring new life to the Veterans Memorial Building on East Beach Street in Watsonville by replacing broken windows, pressure washing the front of the building, prepping, varnishing and adding a fresh coat of paint. 

The effort was meant to honor veterans and the community by helping restore the facade of the 1934 Historic Landmark that has shown signs of wear and tear.  

“Some of us experienced incredible memories at that building growing up in Watsonville,” said Ramon Gomez, chief of staff for Supervisor Felipe Hernandez.  

Volunteers worked on and off on the project from July 28 and wrapped up on Aug. 12.

“We hope that our veterans and future generations will have the same opportunity to enjoy this venue and make their own memories,” Gomez said.

Hernandez’s office organized the overall project and was given support by the American Legion Post 121, Home Depot, LaMere Painting, Santa Cruz County Parks, ABA Windows, Inc., Knights of Columbus 11804 and the Young Supervisors Academy. 

Volunteers included Alfonso Lobato, Mariana Lobato-Vicencio, Isabel Lobato-Vecencio, Mariana Vicencio, Rafael Hernandez, David Ambriz Sr., Randall LaMere, Gabriel LaMere, Barbara Adamski, Al Galvan, Stoney Brooks, Rick Sanchez, Greg Caput, Celeste Gutierrez, Tony and Belmira Pimentel, George and Ricardo, Santa Cruz County Young Supervisors Academy, and Louie LaMere, Dyami Gomez and Isaac Gomez.

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Tarmo Hannula has been the lead photographer with The Pajaronian newspaper in Watsonville since 1997. More recently Good Times & Press Banner. He also reports on a wide range of topics, including police, fire, environment, schools, the arts and events. A fifth generation Californian, Tarmo was born in the Mother Lode of the Sierra (Columbia) and has lived in Santa Cruz County since the late 1970s. He earned a BA from UC Santa Cruz and has traveled to 33 countries.

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