Roger Blanco has spent much of his life giving to others, often quietly and without expectation. On Saturday, Dec. 13, the community he has long served gave something back.

Members of the Cerro Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, along with friends and neighbors, gathered to surprise Blanco with a birthday celebration in honor of his 82nd birthday. When Blanco walked into a room filled with familiar faces, admiration and warm embraces, the emotion of the moment reflected years of gratitude for a man many describe as the heart of their community.

Blanco is a Purple Heart recipient and Vietnam War veteran whose service and selflessness extend far beyond his military record. A member of the Cerro VFW, he has become known not only for his dedication to fellow veterans, but for his compassion toward anyone in need.

In October 2023, Blanco was featured in the Questa del Rio News after he made an extraordinary gesture of generosity — giving his Purple Heart medal to his neighbor, Frank Rael. Rael’s family had reported that the Purple Heart awarded to their father went missing. Longtime neighbor and friend Blanco, moved by their loss, chose to give them his own.
At the time, Blanco described the act simply as one of love.

The medal, earned through sacrifice, became a symbol of connection and kindness — a reflection of Blanco’s belief that honoring others is just as important as honoring oneself.

Those same qualities were on full display on Dec. 13, as community members shared stories, laughter and gratitude in Blanco’s honor. Attendees described him as kind, hardworking, generous and deeply loving — the kind of person who shows up without being asked and gives without expecting recognition.

As the celebration continued, it became clear that the surprise party was more than a birthday gathering. It was a moment of collective appreciation, a chance for the community to return the love Blanco has spent a lifetime giving.

For one afternoon, the quiet hero stood at the center of the room, surrounded by the people whose lives he has touched, reminded that his kindness has never gone unnoticed.

And just as he once gave away a symbol of his sacrifice out of love, on Dec. 13, that love came back to him — multiplied.