Asked why he joined the Navy, Rico replied, “Being black, in the South, in the 1950s — you had to get out of there. Things was weird.” After six years homeless, the 66-year-old Cuban native is hoping to get off the streets of Santa Monica — for good.
Born: Oct. 2, 1937 in Cuba. Raised: Moved from Cuba to Georgia with his parents as a toddler and to New York at 11. Background: Rico said he earned two Purple Hearts during 15 years with the U.S. Navy, including during the Vietnam War. Rico, who is diabetic, later worked as a molder at manufacturing plants in LA and San Jose before serving time in prison.
Hobbies: Watching people surf from a bench at Ocean Avenue and Pacific Street. Rico said he used to enjoy boxing and bowling before he became homeless.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 1, 2004. Read the original PDF.