In 1996 we marched to stop the violence. Richard came out and marched with me. A young Latino man I was with no background in community organizing. We called ourselves Flowers in the Jungle. Richard worked at California youth authority. He became a friend and mentor. He helped design hollow caskets that we carried that day to bring attention to a community riddled with young lives lost. We remained friends for several years. He believed in me a young man of 28 years of age. He showed his undying support for my idea that a community should participate in its healing process. For a 28 year old to be supported by such an individual like Richard had me beside myself. Throughout the years I continued the idea of being a role model to inner city young people that needed men of substance to show their presence. Today I work as a case manager for the criminal justice system and Richard was a huge part of my journey. I was so inexperienced at the time and without men like Richard, I might have never become who I am today. I honor Richard with my continued work and his spirit lives on with me. 

Reggie Galindo