Mountain Views News          Saturday, November 6, 2010

Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com

WWII (continued from page 1)

planes wove through our anti-aircraft fire. 
That is when I saw an enemy plane score a 
direct hit. It hit the water and continued on 
at the same speed to penetrate the starboard 
side of the ship below the water line. All this 
occurred 30-40 feet from where I stood. 
I later learned this plane hit fireroom 9, 
killing 11 sailors. I would have been the 12th, 
Fire room 9 was my battle station.

I could feel the ship listing to starboard and 
I knew we were taking on water. I realized 
we might go down. I got my life jacket. I 
thought, if we rolled to the starboard before 
we sank—I had no escape. If she rolled to 
port I could crawl out the air intake before 
she went down, and I thought how cold 
and dark it was in the ocean. By the time 
I got the life jacket on I felt the ship give a 
tremendous lurch again. Even though I did 
not see it, I knew they had scored another 
hit on the starboard side. At this time I heard 
the order over the loud speaker Prepare to 
Abandon Ship. I was still trapped, with the 
hanger deck and all the fueled planes above 
me ablaze. That would have been my only 
way out. The smell of burning fuel, planes 
and burning bodies was overpowering 
and inescapable. It was not until after the 
second attack about1 ••• hours later that the 
fires on the hanger deck were under control 
that the hatch cover could be opened and I 
could escape to what was left of the hanger 
deck.

 My assignment was damage control. I tried 
to get to my battle station but the damage 
in that area was so bad I couldn’t get there. 
The hatches were bent and warped from 
the fires and explosions they had to be cut 
with torches. I worked at general clean up 
during the twelve hours we waited, before 
the welder was able to get to the job. It 
took another hour before we broke through 
to my general quarter’s station. When we 
opened the hatch, we could see all eleven 
of my buddies sitting on the deck leaning 
against the bulkhead, all dead from the 
pressure of the explosions. None had fallen 
over; they were just sitting on the floor 
leaning against the wall. That’s were I would 
have been. That is the last I saw of them 
until they joined the other 112 causalities 
of the attack, to be buried at sea.

 The welder had to cut into a set of 
airlock doors to reach those that were on 
duty in fire room 9. All of the Saratoga’s 16 
boilers produced superheated steam to run 
the engines. Each boiler required a 3 man 
crew. When we reached fire room 9, which 
had been my work station, the three sailors 
were all dead. I continued to clean up.

The kamikaze pilot who inflected the 
damage on boiler room 9 was decapitated 
and partially burned, but still wearing the 
belt and padlock that had anchored him 
to his pilot’s seat. His severed arm still 
clutched, in his stiff hand, the luger you see 
here. We continued to clean up as we headed 
to Eniwetok, still able to run 24 knots. We 
buried at sea, our 123 sailors who died in 
the attack of February 21st, in a solemn 
ceremony en route to Eniwetok. Then we 
headed to Bremerton for major repairs, still 
carrying one Japanese plane lodged in the 
starboard side of the ship below the water 
line. The ship was repaired in record time 
and we returned to Pearl Harbor and were 
training a squadron of pilots when the 
Japanese surrendered. I continued to serve 
aboard the Saratoga until December 1945, 
in Project magic Carpet, in which the Sara 
brought 29,204 Pacific war Veterans home 
to the United States. 

4


MountainViews-News Saturday, November 6, 2010 

Sierra Madre UMC to 
Participate in CROP Walk

“Ending Hunger One Step at 
a Time”

 On Sunday, November 7, 1:00-3:00 p.m., the 35th annual 
Pasadena Area 5K CROP Hunger Walk will begin at St. Mark’s 
Episcopal Church, 1014 E. Altadena Drive, in Altadena. As 
one of numerous interfaith and nondenominational charitable 
organizations participating in this event, The Sierra Madre 
United Methodist Church is seeking those interested walking, 
sponsoring a walker, or donating funds or canned goods to this 
worthy cause. 

 The first Church World Service CROP Walk took place in 
1969, with more than 1,600 currently taking place each year in 
communities around the U.S. Funds raised through the CROP 
Walks provide food, water and other self-empowering resources 
to grassroots hunger-fighting programs throughout the world. 
Twenty-five percent of the monies raised by the Pasadena CROP 
Walk will be earmarked for local programs, including Foothill 
Unity Center, the Bad Weather Shelter and Friends in Deed. 
Canned goods collected will also be distributed locally.

 If you are interested in participating in the CROP Walk, or for 
more information, please call Brenda Walkiewicz at 626-355-
1716, or go to www.smumc.net, and click on the Crop Walk link.

How Do We Measure Up? Do local endorsements - voter’s choices follow statewide trends?

While it is crystal clear 
that California voters 
do not follow national 
trends, locally, how do 
we measure up? Many of 
our local newspapers and 
organizations expressed 
their opinions as to how 
voters should cast their 
ballots. Were we on the 
mark or way off base? 

 The chart on the right is a 
tally of how the state voted 
compared to LA County. It 
also lists the endorsements 
of the League of Women 
Voters, the Mountain 
Views News, the Pasadena 
Star News and one local 
group of private citizens 
with mixed political 
leanings. 

 The results are quite 
telling.

LOCAL ELECTION RESULTS COMPARISON


FATHER MODESTO LEWIS PEREZ INSTALLED AT ST. ELIZABETH PARRISH - ALTADENA

 On Saturday October 30th, Fr. Modesto Lewis Perez 
was installed as pastor of St. Elizabeth Parish in 
Altadena. Msgr. Richard Krekelberg, pastor of St. Rita 
Parish in Sierre Madre officiated at the installation. 
There were over 400 in attendance and all were invited 
to a dinner and entertainment following the mass in the 
parish grotto.

 On Father Pérez was born in Cuba and immigrated with 
his family to Los Angeles in 1961. He attended public 
schools in the Los Angeles area before entering college. 
He holds a B.A. in Political Science - International 
Relations from the University of California, Los Angeles 
(UCLA) and a law degree (J.D.) from the University of 
California, Davis. He was a practicing attorney before 
entering St. John’s Seminary, and is still an active member 
of the California State Bar. 

 Father Modesto obtained his Masters of Divinity degree 
from St. John’s Seminary. He was ordained a priest for 
the Archdiocese of Los Angeles on June 16, 1984, and has 
held assignments in a number of parishes throughout the 
Archdiocese. 

 In 1987, he was sent for further studies in canon law. He 
obtained both a Licentiate (J.C.L.) and a Doctoral degree 
(J.C.D.) in Canon Law from the Pontifical Gregorian 
University in Rome, Italy.

 Upon his return from Rome in 1992, Father Modesto was appointed 
Judge and Adjutant Judicial Vicar of the Los Angeles Archdiocesan 
Tribunal where he served until 1997. That year he was appointed 
Episcopal Vicar for Canonical Services and Vice Chancellor for the 
Archdiocese, offices he held for five years. On July 1, 2002, he was 
assigned to the formation team and appointed full time professor of 
Canon Law at St. John’s Seminary. He was appointed Pastor of All 
Souls Catholic Church in Alhambra on July 1, 2004. And, effective 
July 1, 2010, he was appointed Pastor of St. Elizabeth of Hungary 
Church in Altadena, where he had first served on his return from 
Rome.

 Since 2000, Fr. Modesto has also been the Spiritual Advisor for 
the Cursillos in Christianity Movement of the Archdiocese of Los 
Angeles, and in the past has held the posts of Spiritual Director for 
the Spanish language Cursillos; Spiritual Advisor for the Cursillo 
Movement for Region XI (California, Nevada & Hawaii) and 
Chaplain for the National Cursillo Movement. He is currently the 
Spiritual Advisor for the English language Cursillos in Los Angeles.

ST. RITA’S SEMI-ANNUAL 
WELCOME EVENT

Sunday, November 7 at 3 p.m.

New to St. Rita’s church or school and don’t feel you know 
many members? Moved to Sierra Madre recently, and looking 
for a new Catholic church home? Belonged to St. Rita’s for a 
long time, but don’t feel you’ve connected yet? Let us welcome 
you to St. Rita’s!

 Join us Sunday afternoon, November 7, at 3 p.m. for a casual wine 
and cheese gathering at the home of Dick and Chris Bertrand. 
Please bring a bottle of wine or your favorite beverage, a cheese 
and crackers plate, or an appetizer to share.

 Representatives of various St. Rita organizations will join our 
pastor, Monsignor Krekelberg, to welcome you to our wonderful 
parish community! At 5 p.m., following the gathering, we will tour 
the St. Rita’s campus and facilities, with those who are interested. 
Children are always welcome! RSVP to Chris Bertrand at 626-
355-1621 or to PR@St-Rita.org .


Sierra Madre Police Blotter

During the week of Sunday, October 24th, to Saturday October 30th, 
the Sierra Madre Police Department responded to approximately 
336 calls for service. See crimereports.com for updated information.

Sunday, October 21st:

12:16 AM- Commercial Burglary, Best Buy Drugs, 20 blk. 
N. Baldwin Ave. Unknown suspect(s) entered the location by 
smashing the front window. The loss included 3 bottles of generic 
Tylenol with codeine ($300.00) and 1 bottle of brand Tylenol with 
codeine ($100.00), each bottle containing 1,000 tablets. 

09:36 AM- Attempted Petty Theft. 200 blk. W. Highland Ave. 
Unknown suspect(s) entered two unlocked vehicles through the 
driver’s side door and tried to remove the car stereo. No loss was 
taken from either car.

Monday, October 25th: 

10:03 AM- Grand Theft Exceeding $400.00, 70 blk. N. Auburn 
Ave. The suspect took several pieces of jewelry from the victim’s 
home. The loss included one ••• carat diamond ring, 14k gold 
wedding band, one 14k yellow gold ribbon ring, one 14k yellow 
gold square clip on earrings, a 14k gold charm bracelet with four 
circular and one 14k gold medallion. Total value estimated at 
$10,800.00. 

04:45 PM- Petty Theft. 40 blk. N. Lima St. Unknown suspect(s) 
stole an unlocked red Mongoose mountain bike. The owner last 
saw the bike on Friday 10/22/10 at 3:00pm. 

11:43 PM- DUI Alcohol/ Drugs. Baldwin Ave and Laurel Ave. 
An officer stopped a motorist for a Vehicle Code violation. The 
motorist was under the influence of alcohol or drugs and had 
three outstanding warrants for his arrest. The suspect was also in 
possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Wednesday, October 27th: 

6:44 PM- Commercial Burglary, Sierra Madre Cleaners. 
100 blk. W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Unknown suspects entered 
the above location and stole a black leathered purse valued of 
$175.00 from the owner the items inside the bag included Black 
leathered wallet valued at $125.00, Visa Credit card, Macy’s credit 
card, Nordstrom’s credit card, California Drivers License, $12.00 
dollars and a Social security card.

10:22 PM- Criminal Threats. 10 blk. W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 
A young woman called the Sierra Madre Police Department to 
report that her ex-boyfriend phoned her and threatened to kill 
her.

Thursday, October 28th:

01:43 PM- Vandalism/Graffiti. 10 blk. N. Baldwin Ave. 
Unknown suspect(s) vandalized a commercial building with 
graffiti. 

06:29 PM- Use Another’s Personal Identification to Obtain 
Credit/Etc. Claremont, CA Police Department forwarded an 
identity theft report to Sierra Madre Police Department because 
unauthorized purchases had been made at a restaurant in Sierra 
Madre using a Claremont resident’s debit card.

Friday, October 29th:

10:25 AM- Property Lost/Stolen. 400 blk. Fairview Ave. 
Victim discovered that she was missing her wallet while attending 
an event in Los Angeles. The loss included: one red leather card 
holder, one CA driver’s license, $100.00, Two Anthem Blue Cross 
Medical Cards, one State Farms auto insurance card, one Costco 
Card, one AAA card, One American Express card and a Wells 
Fargo Visa card. The loss is estimated at approximately $22.00 

Saturday, October 30th:

12:22 PM- Possession of Marijuana in Vehicle. Woodland 
Ave and Santa Anita Ave. Motorist was stopped for a Vehicle 
Code violation. The driver was in possession of a small amount of 
marijuana. The officer cited and released the driver. 

Foothill Unity Center Director Speaks at Coordinating Council - 

Pleas for Thanksgiving Food Help and More

Raina Martinez, Outreach and Volunteer Services Director of Foothill 
Unity Center, Inc., spoke at the Sierra Madre Coordinating Council 
Meeting on Thursday, November 4. Begun in 1980 and incorporated as 
a non-profit in 1991, Foothill Unity operates from two facilities, one in 
Monrovia and another in Pasadena, serving Altadena, Arcadia, Azusa, 
Baldwin Park, Bradbury, Duarte, Irwindale, Monrovia, Pasadena, Sierra 
Madre and South Pasadena. 

Martinez commented that the strained economy has further changed 
the face of the needy in our communities. “One might think someone 
retired in a pretty nice looking house might be OK. Unfortunately in 
today’s economy, their fixed income might not leave much left for food 
anymore, though they’re still in their own homes.” 

With the organization’s mantra, “Helping People, Changing Lives” 
Foothill Unity provides “food, clothing, motel vouchers, and referrals/
advocacy to our neighbors in crisis” per their website, with the intent 
to help the needy become self sufficient. They always operate on a tight 
budget, 60% of which comes from private, non-governmental sources. 

Of particular, current need is the Thanksgiving and Holiday Food 
Drives, according to Martinez. The center needs turkeys, fresh frozen 
or certificates; food donations for preparing festive meals; holiday toys 
and closing; funds to fill in the gaps and volunteers to sort, pack and 
distribute the donations. 

Stephanie Vitale, of Sierra Madre’s United Methodist Church, indicated 
the church is a food donation collection location for Foothill Unity 
Center this Sunday, November 8. Donations will be accepted at the front 
of the church at Michillinda and Sierra Madre Boulevard on Sunday 
morning before 11, and will be delivered to Foothill Unity. In addition, 
fruit from local fruit trees can be picked by volunteers and donated to 
Foothill Unity.

To volunteer, donate or ask for assistance, Foothill Unity Center can be 
contacted at 626-358, 3486 in Monrovia and 626-584-7420 in Pasadena, 
or on their website, www.FoothillUnityCenter.org. The needy in Sierra 
Madre are welcome to sign up at either location, while the other San 
Gabriel communities are asked to sign up at the service center closest to them. 

Held at noon on the first Thursday of each month at the Youth Activity Center at 618 E. Sierra Madre Boulevard, the Sierra Madre 
Coordinating Council provides a forum for city, civic, service, school, church and other organizations to interact and plan events 
and activities in the area with better coordination and utilization of the local volunteer pool, facilities and attendance. A monthly 
speaker is scheduled to speak to the group on local topics. For more information on attending or speaking to the group, contact 
Elisa Weaver, Director of Community & Personnel Services, City of Sierra Madre at 626-355-5278 or by email to EWeaver@
CityOfSierraMadre.com C. Bertrand/MVNews