By Pedro J. Rivera, Esq., Senior Director for Individual Giving, UnidosUS
Pedro Rivera’s father, a Korean War Veteran.
My father, a Korean War Veteran and a member of the 65th Infantry, a Puerto Rican regiment of the United States Army, was always grateful to organizations that helped veterans. He was born in Cayey, Puerto Rico, and was raised on a farm by his maternal grandfather. As a child, I remember him being involved in fundraisers for our parish or our sports team. He was blessed and reminded us that we must help those less fortunate than ourselves. Giving is an act of generosity. He would tell us, “en la vida hay que dar para recibir” (in life, you must give to receive). He was one of my earliest examples of donating to causes you care about. At the end of each year, I would see him make his donations to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), an organization that helped many former soldiers just like him.