Mothers Last Wish Was To Add Sons Name to Eastside AIDS Monument

Adela Ortiz, an active supporter of The Wall-Las Memorias, wanted to be sure that son, Danny, would have his name included in monument. With the dedication of the AIDS monument on Los Angeles' Eastside set for October 16, 2004, the deadline to submit names in time for ceremony is September 16.

(PRWEB) August 28, 2004 -- Adela Ortizs dying wish was that her sons name be placed on one of the memorial panels of the AIDS monument being constructed in Lincoln Park, on the Eastside of Los Angeles. Thanks, in part, to the efforts of her daughter, Eileen (Cole) Castro, Carlos Danny" Hernandez will be among the first to be inscribed on The Wall-Las Memorias AIDS monument.
   
With the dedication of the monument set for Saturday, October 16, organizers are racing to meet a September 12 deadline so that the first group of names will be ready in time for the ceremony. Eileen is hoping that other families will follow her mothers example of not only submitting a name, but fiercely supporting their children with HIV.
   
When mom found out that Danny was sick, she was very hurt," said Eileen, who lives in Montebello. It took a toll on her. But she did everything she could to make his life easier."
   
After Danny died, Adela became depressed. Only her involvement with The Wall-Las Memorias Projects Mothers Group was able to lift her out of the gloom.
   
I dont know how she found out about The Wall, but it changed her outlook. From that moment on, her life was dedicated to helping build the monument.
   
She talked on radio, talked on TV. She went to parades. She would talk to anybody and everybody who would listen to her."
   
In 1995, Adela became ill and Eileen returned from Oregon, where she had been living, to care for her. But illness did not slow her down.
   
Mom was on a crusade. Nothing was going to stop her.
   
She got me involved. I would take her to the meetings, to the luncheons. I took her everywhere. Sick or not, she would go. She would say 'I dont care. This is for your brother.
   
Nobody was going to stop her from doing anything for her kids."
   
Adela passed away in April 13, 2000. It was only fitting that, at her rosary, a campaign was launched to encourage state support of the monument. The first speech in the campaign was made, petitions were passed around and signatures were gathered.
   
While it might seem strange to launch an AIDS monument funding campaign at a mortuary, it makes perfect sense to her daughter, who promised to reach the goal her mom had set.
   
I swore I would not let her down," said Eileen. By hook or crook, we are going to put his name on The Wall."
   
Adela Ortiz was an incredible woman, and so is Eileen," said Richard Zaldivar, executive director and founder of the project. Adelas last wish reflects what we hear from so many people. The monument was created not only to educate, but to aid in the healing process. When we publicly remember our loved ones and their contributions to our lives, we break the silence that afflicts our community."
   
Adding someones name to the monument is a powerful tribute. More than that, its a symbol that people who have died of AIDS will not be forgotten."
   
California residents are invited to submit names of loved ones lost to AIDS. Forms are available through participating AIDS organizations and The Wall-Las Memorias Projects website: www.thewalllasmemorias.org. The cost of processing one name is a donation of $29.
   
Zaldivar stresses that the monument is built on behalf of all Californians who have died of AIDS. People who live outside of Los Angeles County are invited to submit names of their loved ones.
   
The mission of The Wall-Las Memorias Project is to educate the Latino community about HIV/AIDS and the ways that shame, denial and fear contribute to the spread of HIV. The AIDS monument has been envisioned as not only a memorial to those who have died of AIDS, but as a place for family members and friends to visit and seek solace, and, most important, as an educational tool in the fight against HIV.
   
Photo updates of the monuments progress and its mural panels can be viewed at the organizations website at www.thewalllasmemorias.org/monument.