The Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will honor the contributions of Latino veterans on Friday, Oct. 4, at 11 a.m. at the Bob Hope Patriotic Hall, 1816 Figueroa St.

The event includes color guard services, an invocation, music, light refreshments and many speakers including dignitaries and veterans. The event is open to the public and is being held in observance of Hispanic Heritage Month.

The special guest will be Otto Padron, president and COO of Meruelo Media and a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve. Padron will discuss how his Army experience has helped him lead the fastest growing minority-owned media company in California.

Elizabeth Perez, deputy secretary of minority veterans affairs for the California Department of Veterans Affairs will speak about the importance of current legislation for military families, and Gen. Ruth Wong, United States Air Force (Ret.), director of the Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, will serve as master of ceremonies.

Padron leadership skills and vision helped him reorganize and expand Meruelo Media, which owns the Spanish-language television stations KWHY-TV 22 and KBEH-TV 63, and the radio stations KDAY 93.5 FM and Power 106. He has more than 35 years of military service in the U.S. Army Reserve.

“We honor the contributions and sacrifices of our Hispanic brothers and sisters in the armed forces,” Wong added. “We cannot thank and recognize them enough for their service to our country.”

For information, visit mva.lacounty.gov.