Maywood Bataan Day Organization (MBDO) Director Jose R. Galarza, Jr. was recently elected Secretary of the MBDO. Jose has been a director at the MBDO for 2 years. In addition to his role on the MBDO board, Mr. Galarza serves as a Director on the Maywood Public Library Board.
A 1983 graduate of Jesse Spaulding School in Chicago, Jose also attended college at Triton College in River Grove, Northeastern Illinois University and Jewish Vocational Services in Chicago. He is also a Parish Council Member and Sacristan at St. Innocent of Moscow Russian Orthodox Church in Carol Stream, Illinois.
I walked in what I believe was the first parade carrying a large A, spelling part of Bataan. I was at Garfield school, 7th or 8th grade.
Hi Jean — this is Steve Gibson. I think I remember you from Church in Maywood back when I was a kid. Is David your son? I have a picture from the first Bataan Day Parade posted on this site. You’ll find it here: https://mbdo.org/galleries/maywood-bataan-day-album/maywood-bataan-day-images-1942/. It’s the scene taken outside the Lido. Towards the back of the picture, you’ll see a group of kids holding the letters S-A-V-E Could that be you holding the “A” there? Take care – great to hear from you!