Menifee Couple Honored by Melendez for Community Service

Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez (center) presents the Power to the People award to Richard and Delia DeLaCruz.

Richard DeLaCruz of Menifee was recently honored for his community service by Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez of the 67th Assembly District.

DeLaCruz and his wife Delia were presented the "Power to the People" award for the month of January in recognition of their service. They co-founded Operation Silver Star, a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting wounded and returning combat military veterans of all eras.

Their focus is on assisting these heroes and their families in providing for the financial, material, logistical and any information needed and necessary to get them through difficult times.

Richard and Delia’s son was wounded in 2008 when he and his reactionary response team were attacked in Bayji, Iraq. The attack resulted in the loss of their son’s left leg from the knee down. They also have another son and son-in-law who served in the military. It is because of their experiences with the enormous difficulties facing wounded and combat veterans that they founded OSS.

Richard also volunteers his time to sit on Melendez’s Veteran’s Advisory Committee. In this capacity, he and other veterans help the Assemblywoman stay aware of the issues facing veterans in the 67th District.

“Richard is deserving of this special recognition,” said Melendez. “As a Navy veteran, I know firsthand the sacrifices our military men and women have to make in serving our country. I very much appreciate people like Richard who give of their time and means to assist combat heroes and their families.”

If anyone would like to nominate a Power to the People award recipient who lives in the 67th District, they can do so by going to Assemblywoman Melendez’s website at www.asm.ca.gov/melendez and send an email using the “Contact Us” tab.