Veterans share hardships to qualify for drawing
Christmas came three days later for Navy veteran Adrian Palacios, when his name was randomly pulled in a drawing held last week in which he won a super clean previously owned Toyota Prius at VJ’s Auto Repair “Vehicle for Veteran” give-a-way.
Palacios was one of 10 entrants that qualified in VJ’s drawing to honor one deserving veteran by giving them a car during the holiday season. On Thanksgiving Day someone hit Palacios’ vehicle head on and although he was not seriously injured, the impact caused extensive damage making his car inoperable. “What was worse”, Palacios said, “they had no insurance and I don’t have the money to repair it.” Palacios was a U.S. Navy Gulf War veteran and Petty Officer 3rd Class Machinist Mate that served as a F18 jet mechanic aboard the formidable aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) on station in the Persian Gulf during the Iraq War. Palacios said: “I never won anything in my life and the only time I do, it’s a car! When I got a call from Brian at VJ’s telling me my name was pulled in their drawing and I won a car, I thought it was a hoax; I still can’t believe it!” In an emotional moment when VJ handed the Navy veteran the keys to his newly won Prius, Adrian said “I will always remember your kindness and will definitely pay it forward.”
VJ Sabanayagam, whose son is currently stationed at Marine Corp Air Station, Miramar said he thanks all the veterans for their entries. “We wish we could have given a car to every deserving veteran,” said VJ. “The sacrifices they made, the courage they displayed and the hardship they endured all deserve our community’s support.” He concluded by saying “This is our way at VJ’s Auto service to thank veteran Adrian Palacios for his service to our country.”
Gene Glasco, Arcadia city clerk and founder of the Arcadia Vietnam War Monument who drew Palacios’ name said, “This was definitely one of those lumps in throat events.”
