Medicare’s 49th birthday celebration was held in Pasadena on July 30, and it was a big hit! I counted about thirty-five people at our party, and there may have been more. Members from various local organizations took turns to help with the banner, hold a sign, wear a birthday box, and wave at horn-tooting drivers for the hour and a half that constituted our Sidewalk Rally.

Party attendees on Lake Avenue at Cordova represented Health Care for All, San Gabriel Valley Chapter; League of Women Voters Pasadena Area; NAMI; Occupy Democracy, Pasadena; PNHP; All Saints Church; CARA; CNA/NNOC; SGV Progressives; and the SGV Democratic Women’s Club. Pasadena city councilman Terry Tornek dropped by to show his support, and a reporter from Crown City News videotaped interviews with event participants.

Motorists tooted their horns and passersby stopped to ask questions and take a copy of our flyer. Our large red banner was a hit as it was marched around the four corners of the intersection. There was a really happy energy at the rally, and we are looking forward to a bigger celebration next year for Medicare’s 50th.

With a salute to party participants,Terry De Wolfe, Susan Braig, and Irma Strantz

Healthcare for All, San Gabriel Valley Chapter

—Irma Strantz