ford dealer. from tina fey and the creator off saturday night live comes mean girls, the hilarious hit broadway musical. entertainment weekly says mean girls isn't a regular musical. it's a cool musical. it's smart, it's funny, it's ferocious, it's so fetch. come see tina fey's musical mean girls at the golden gate theater december 19th through 22nd. wait, why don't i know you? did your tickets to mean girls today at broadway sf.com. there is no better time to buy diamonds and jewelry. save up to 83% off the entire store at jeffries diamonds and goldsmith in san carlos. get stunning jewelry damian trujillo: hello and welcome to "comunidad del valle." i'm damian trujillo, and today is gonna be a "merry-achi" christmas with mariachi sol de mexico on your "comunidad del valle." ♪♪♪

♪♪♪ damian: we begin with one of my favorite events of the year. it's called "wreaths across america." it happened just yesterday at the los gatos memorial park and they're participating. we're glad to have them on our show, is melissa capado--copado. she is a cadet with the us naval sea cadet corps. and also tin tin wisniewski, who's the executive officer of the enterprise division, also of the united states navy sea cadet corps. welcome to the show, ladies. tin tin wisniewski: hi, it's a pleasure to be here. damian: thank you for being here. well, before we start with the "wreaths across america" and we show you the great video, tell us, if you can, first, ms. wisniewski, about the sea cadet corps. tin tin: well, the us navy sea cadet corps, we are a youth

program that aim to empower the next generation of leaders, and it is under the auspice of the us navy. and you would want to think about it as a youth program that offer extracurricular activities, but more importantly, we are to help the next generation of leaders to train in their life skills and leadership skills and teamwork. damian: and we have one of those future leaders with us. melissa, she's wearing her uniform for the sea cadet corps. melissa, tell us what the corps has done for you. melissa copado: what sea cadets has done to me is i've learned a lot of self-discipline throughout the program and it's--i've met a lot of really nice people in the program that helped me with sea cadets, especially when i was new. they helped me a lot, and

sea cadets has done a lot for me, especially with discipline, responsibility, yeah. damian: and one of those events that you participated in was yesterday at the "wreaths across america." again, it happens all across the nation. we do have video of the last year's event in los gatos. you've been there, ms. wisniewski. tell us about the pride in laying wreaths on the headstones of fallen soldiers. tin tin: absolutely. it teaches our youth about honoring service members that have given their lives and serve our country. and it teaches our future leaders to think about doing the same, you know, to think about serving the community that they're in, to think about a life of service above self. damian: and what was that like for you to participate in these events, melissa, the "wreaths across america"? melissa: "wreaths across america," we had to put on

wreaths on the tombstones of the fallen, and it felt really nice just acknowledging what they did and how they died for our country. and volunteering just, like, it makes like--it feels like i'm giving back to the community that raised me, which is san jose. damian: and i've seen some cadets, ms. wisniewski, we've seen some cadets and some other children and folks not so young who, befefore theyay the wreath, or maybe a little after, they'll salute. they had--so they have a little message, also, for the fallen. tin tin: yeah, absolutely. it's an honor to be able--for them to see the tombstone because they can read the names and also the branch of military service when they're laying the wreaths. and not only that, our group, we also have--cadets are performing the color guard.

and for them to be in that event, it's very meaningful and it also provide them with pride and understanding about how to be of service in this country. damian: and, you know, melissa, some of those fallen might not have any living family members or family members who might live far away, who don't visit them as often, maybe, as they should be visited. what feeling do you go home with at the end of the day knowing that you did pay a visit to the fallen, you did have a little message, a thank-you message, for them? melissa: i go home feeling proud of what i've done, is that i'm respecting the people that have died for our country. i feel very proud. i feel almost, like, uplifted by my actions, by what i've done. damian: and is this is what it's all about, tin tin, just empowering, you mentioned ite ? tin tin: yeah, and inspiring them,

you know, to know that, you know, these are individuals that have given up their lives for our country, and also giving them a sense of meaning and purpose. you know, more--this day and age, our youths are very disconnected with some of the realities that we live in. and so, our program is to help, you know, the youth understand and educate them, and having this sense of purpose and pride is very important. damian: it's great to see. again, this happened--event happened yesterday over at the los gatos memorial park, but it's happening all across the country. but we wt to show you the email address--or the website for wreaths across america, the los gatos chapter of it. there it is on the screen. salute the fallen at our local cemeteries. we'll be back to wrap it up with the sea cadet corps, here on "comunidad del valle." stay with us.

"comunidad del valle." we're talking--the topic is "wreaths across america" event. with me is cadet melissa copado with the sea cadet corps and tin tin wisniewski, who's the executive officer of the enterprise division, also united states navy sea cadet corps. so you mentioned the leadership skills, melissa that you're--that the cadet corps is teaching you. what do you--where do you see yourself eventually? i know you're still a young lady, you have a lot ahead of you. but where--is, maybe, the military something you're considering? melissa: i really am considering the military because my father was--he was enlisted in the army and he served quite some time, and i felt like i really needed to follow in his footsteps. so, i'm really hoping to join the navy after this. damian: at your age, when you are--you're freshman in high school or about to go to high school? which are you? melissa: i'm a freshman in high school.

damian: so at your age, and i remember my freshman year in high school, a lot of the boys, and maybe some of the girls, aren't as focused into schooling as they should be. but talk about, maybe, what the cadet corps has done for you to stay focused in school and doing homework and, you know, participating in extracurricular activities and being not only a leader with the cadet corps but also with your school. melissa: really, sea cadets teaches me self-discipline, which helps me stay on top of my homework very often. you know, like, i can't just put this assignment back. i need to do it now so i can get extra credit or a good grade. and basically, that's it. it teach me a lot of self-discipline. damian: yeah, what do you see in that, tin tin, in what you're--what melissa is demonstrating so far with the cadet corps? tin tin: so very similar to the military, the cadets, they earn ribbons. and so every time they have an achievement, they add on

that ribbon. and so having that discipline to complete certain milestones, showcasing--with the ribbon, it showcase their achievements, right? one of our ribbon is actually called academic achievement, and so if you have completed your quarter with a's and b's, you know, you will obtain a ribbon on academic achievement. if you fulfill over 30 hours of community service, you get a community service ribbon. so having those milestones showcasing a ribbon rack is very important for them. and you know, it challenges them to have a purpose and to think about ways in which they can showcase their skills. damian: oh, that's wonderful. i've attended the last few "wreaths across america" events there at the los gatos memorial park. and whenever i see the girl scouts, the boy scouts, the sea

cadet corps, whenever i see them standing over the headstone and delivering the wreath and then saluting the headstone, i get a lump in my throat. what's your reaction, tin tin? tin tin: absolutely. there's, actually, a picture on our facebook account at the enterprise division, west coast, and it's actually of my son, my 11-year-old son, in his full uniform, saluting to a tombstone, and it makes me feel very proud that these youth are connecting with the past. damiimportant it is for theu can,organizers to keep thiss how tradition going, to know that next year we're gonna do it all over again, and to let the fallen know that we're not forgetting about them. melissa: i think that this tradition should stay like the way as it is because we're still honoring the past members that

have died in their service and we have to keep on remembering them because what they did for our country will never be forgotten. damian: very well said. any final thoughts, melissa, before we let you go? melissa: no final thoughts. thank you for having me here. damian: thank you, and thank you for your service at such a young age. and, tin tin, any final thoughts from you? tin tin: well, any parents and young children out there, if you're thinking about joining the sea cadet corps, you know, don't hesitate to check our website and also reach out, you know. think about it as a way to think about of challenging yourself and learning ways on how to develop your leadership, your--and your teamwork. damian: well, thank you so much, tin tin wisniewski and melissa copado with the sea cadet corps. thank you for your continued service to this country. copadomelissa: thank you. corps. tin tin: thank you for having us. damian: thank you. and again, the "wreaths across america" event happened

yesterday at the los gats memorial park, put on by some great volunteers headed--spearheaded by cindy greer. there is the web address. you can log on, you can go visit the headstones now that the wreaths are on there, and salute the fallen yourself. there is the website. up next on "comunidad del valle," one-on-one with 49ers linebacker fred warner. stay with us.

over--during the training camp at the niners facility we had the privilege of sitting down for a one-on-one interview with 49ers linebacker fred warner, who is of mexican, panamanian, and black descent. he was gracious enough to give us a few minutes. we want to share most of that interview with you. here is fred warner. damian: so, fred, thanks for joining us. you know, everybody, i think, was fascinated and taken aback a little by the flag on the back of your helmet. fred warner: yeah, of course, man. it's something that is important to me.

it's important to a lot of guys to be able to represent, you know, their culture. my mother being mexican, i've also had--worn the panamanian flag from my father who's from panama. you know, it's an important part of me, it's something that i want everybody else to see. you know, when i'm out there, i'm representing the 49ers and i'm representing who i am, you know, and my culture. so, i'm glad that the nfl does it every single year, and i'll be proud to wear it n is year. damian: so when you were in mexico city and you're waving that flag up and down the field, what was that like? fred: man, it was such a surreal moment and something that still stays with me to this day. you know, i still have people come up to me and they reference that moment, seeing that either on tv or in person. being in that stadium in mexico and living that moment, it was obviously great to get a win in that game, but just even more special to be there representing something that is a big part of me. damian: how much does identity matter to you? you could just show up, play football, make tackles, and go home. how much does identity matter to you? fred: yeah, i think it does matter.

i think the fact that we as players are able to touch so many lives, right, by the platform that we've been given here, for the 49ers and as nfl players, allows us to be mentors and role models for a lot of people out there of--it doesn't matter, you know, whatever culture background that you are. but you know, the fact that i am able to represent so many different people out there and people that can look to me to be, like, "man, i wanna be like that one day," you know, and see the way that i carry myself, the way i treat people, and just being first class in every way. damian: trailblazing, do you think, or you just trying to be yourself? fred: just trying to be myself, man. that's it. that's all it's about. you know, i think people can always relate to people who are just genuine, right, people who just are themselves, right? and that's the ones that you can relate to. and you can usually tell guys who are just out there trying to fake it versus ones that are just being themselves. damian: when it comes to the cultural pride again, when i'm on the air on nbc, i say my name is damien trujillo, and i say it

that way because that's my dad's last name. talk about yourself and the cultural pride and why it is important to identify yourself. fred: yeah, i mean, i don't think a lot of people know, or i'm sure a lot of people do know but--at this point, that my first name is federico. you know, federico anthony warner is the name i was given from my father, federico ernesto warner. so, you know, that is part of--that is who i am. i go by fred, you know, it's easier to say for a lot of people. that's what i'm known for, is fred warner now. but, you know, it's an awesome thing to be a--just be a part of. that's something that's a part of me, you know, something to be proud of. and, you know, it's just--it all goes into who you are as a person, you know, and as a player out there on the field. damian: when it--when you're filling out a credit card application, if you do such thing, i know that when it comes to race--mine, i don't think my option is there because my birth certificate says i'm white. so i say "other." what do you fill out?

fred: you know, i don't know. i feel like if i did, i'd probably put "other," too, you know, because i am a bunch of different things: white, black, hispanic. so, you know, i would fill in every single box that i can, if i can, so. damian: there's a beauty in that. talk about white, black, hispanic. fred: mm-hm, yeah, i mean, it is--i think, obviously, in the world that we live in there's a lot of diversity everywhere you go, and i, you know, i'm a living product of that and i'm proud of every single part of me. you know, i represent every single part of who i am every single time i touch that field. every single time i'm walking down the street, right, it's just who i am. damian: when you're out in the field and you look at the levi's and it's full of black, brown, white people, what's that like to see, that--the cultural richness that is california, that is silicon valley? fred: it's amazing. and the faithful, our fans, are, i think, the best in the league. playing it in levi's on sundays, mondays, thursdays doesn't matter, you know.

it's amazing being out there. our fans get as rowdy and are as passionate as any fan base on the planet. and so, i love playing in front of them and, like i said, man, i'm trying to make sure i put the best product on the field for them to get excited about every single time i go. damian: a couple of fun ones. tacos or hamburgers? fred: let's go tacos. damian: all right, and salsa and chips, or bread and butter? fred: you know that answer. that's always gonna be salsa and chips, man. damian: inspiration. do you--how much do you wish to inspire others, whether they're young or not young, by what you do on and off the field? fred: yeah, that's a big part of who i am, what i do, you know. obviously, i keep talking about it. that's one of my main reasons for why i do what i do, is to inspire, you know, and to leave as big an impact as i can, you know, so when i'm gone, like, the game continues to evolve and, you know, people, when they're done--when i'm done, they're always talking about, "man, i just wanna play like fred warner," you know. "i wanna be like fred." and i know if people are saying that, then i did

something right. damian: and lastly, when--how important is it to celebrate black history month, hispanic heritage month, asian american pacific islander month? fred: i think it is important. it's--i think it's great to celebrate all cultures and races and, you know, have that time. but i think it's also important to kind of just celebrate those things year-round. just--not just because it's, you know, there's a month to celebrate that. i honestly think it should be something that should be celebrated every day. just the fact that we are as diverse of a country as we are, you know, it should be celebrated every day, in my opinion. damian: fred, thank you for being that inspiration. fred: you got it. ♪♪♪

valle," you can follow me on instagram. my handle is @newsdamiantrujillo, and we even throw in my email address. there it is on the screen. contact us for anything "comunidad del valle" related. well, we thank you for sharing a part of your sunday with us here

on "comunidad del valle." we're gonna leave you with a little bit of "merry-achi" christmas with mariachi sol de mexico. we'll see you next week. ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪

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[singing in spanish] [singing in spanish] ♪♪♪ you know you want a burger. so make it my smashed jack, rated the best burger in fast food. it's even got more beef than a big mac. chin up, ronald. maybe you'll get a participation trophy. my smashed jack, now on sourdough. welcome to jack in the box!

phant (voiceover): erika has bravely endured tragic loss, her own life-threatening medical crisis, while resiliently raising three daughters. she is a survivor, a rock, a supermom, and an inspiration.