César Chávez was the catalyst of the movement, but many others were on the front line with the labor leader from the very beginning. Dolores Huerta still fights for justice in the farmworker ranks, as does UFW President Arturo Rodriguez and every worker and volunteer who considers themselves an organizer.

I once had a conversation with Paul Chávez while visiting the UFW office in La Paz. As Paul opened a small box to show me the Presidential Medal of Freedom his father had received, he mentioned that César had very few victories in his life and that most of these were short-lived.

True. For every injustice brought to light, for every action taken, for every proposed law there have been those who not only oppose the reality, but the change. Perhaps it was the struggle that made this man great.

Our community will be celebrating the life of César Chávez today in La Colonia in Oxnard.

Oxnard was the city where César Chávez started his labor movement with Fred Ross. César found difficulties at every turn, but his words were exciting and people listened. Ross wrote about this time in Oxnard of the late 1950s in the book, "Conquering Goliath."

Over the years, the UFW helped better the working conditions for field workers across the country and brought better security to families and our community in general.

César lived in our Oxnard. He worked in our fields and slept on our beaches. He spoke to many laborers at the side of our fields, in school cafeterias and door to door. This internationally known icon was in our community.

César was never alone in his endeavors. Many people became unrecognized heroes in our community. Even after his passing in 1993, his struggle and the organizers, who have fought for respect and better conditions for the field workers, have peacefully continued to call for the positive change called for by César.

Today, we will gather once again to show all that the struggle for justice and respect for the people who provide food on our tables are not just empty shadows of a man who once lived among us.

The UFW will also recognize "50 in 50" or 50 people who have supported the movement over the years. The true number is far greater, and the UFW and our community are grateful to all who have taken up la causa.

I agree with Paul Chávez. The UFW has had too few victories in its 50 years. Many are still calling for better conditions in the fields. The message and work of César Chávez and that of many others is still heard today.

Perhaps it is the passion of the organizer and the justice being called for that still allows us to "march with César" and hear the cries of Sí se puede through the streets and fields of Ventura County.

Denis O’Leary of Oxnard is an Oxnard School District board member and a teacher at Rio Vista Middle School.