I would like to nominate my father Armando Cano. He served honorably in both the Navy and the National Guard. He is 68 years old and just celebrated his 45th wedding anniversary on Nov. 30. He lives with my mother in the home he built 33 years ago. The roof is the original roof that he installed when he built our home many years ago. These days the roof leaks in the south west corner of the house and many of the shingles have blown off. Just last week he went and got some more tar to put in the valley or eave to try to stop the leak.
My Dad suffers PTSD and has had many trials in this life. He and my mother raised my sister and I in the home that they live in. I was thirteen when he completed it and we moved in, before that we lived in a 2 bedroom trailer. I was unable to help him work on the home while he was building it because since birth I have had many health issues. Wore leg braces from the ages of 2-4 then had back brace from 13-17 with a major back surgery at the age of 16. I had another back surgery when I turned 19 which came 2 weeks before the birth of my daughter Barbara. Barbara was the first grandchild, We were blessed to have Barbara for 22 years. Armando and Dolores are wonderful loving caring human beings. They raised two children, have been involved with 7 grandchildren, were foster parents to many children in need. Currently they are raising one of the foster children they received 10 years ago. Armando has been a great father to me and my sister. A wonder ful Grandfather to his grandchildren.....these days he walks with a heavy heart. His first grandchild, my daughter Barbara was involved in a fatal car accident while going to work three years ago. She was a senior @Ucsd in California, (she was pre med working for her BS in Physiology and Neuroscience. Her life dream was to be a Neurosurgeon.
This past august my mother armandos wife of 45 years was diagnosed with breast cancer. Armando watches her daily and takes her to all her appointments. Armando deserves a break. he's definitely earned it.