Reader Jamie Bissner contributes this story and pictures about a moving tribute at Eliot Middle School yesterday:
On April 28, 2006, Aaron Anthony Breau was 19 years old. As he waited in front of his Fremont, California, home to be picked up for a party, he was hit by random gunfire sprayed by passing gang bangers. He wasn't the target, he was just there. He never knew the party was being held for him to celebrate his entry into the Jobcorp after which he planned to join the United States Army and serve in Iraq. Aaron Anthony came from an Army family and had a plan to grow and succeed.
His mother Jasmine has moved here to Altadena to be with relatives and is serving her new community by volunteering at the Altadena Sheriff's Station and mentoring the 30+ kids at Eliot Junior High who are enrolled in the Youth Activities League (YAL). In Altadena the YAL was formed five years ago at Edison Elementary by Dep. Sam Estrada with much assistance from Dep. Greg Gabriel. YAL now meets in room 100 at Eliot Middle School on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Jasmine is affectionately known as "Mama J" and keeps the kids in line when it's called for.
Yesterday (Tuesday) at 4 PM the members of the YAL kids wrote names of loved they have lost, as did Jasmine and Sam, on balloons. They were released in honor of Aaron Anthony and in remembrance of loved ones departed.
4 PM: fixed misspellings.
