Northeast Park Neighborhood Association . One Interactive Community . St. Petersburg, Florida

Our neighborhood is a great, interactive place to live because of our neighbors.

Each month, one NEPNA household will be highlighted so you’ll recognize another NEPNA
neighbor while fishing at one of our waterfront parks, riding bikes along our livable streets to a
game at Northeast Little League, or visiting one of our neighborhood businesses. Any household
can be highlighted – just let us know if you’d like to be next and we’ll take care of the rest.

	Hector ‘Cajun’ Zalaya In 1989, Cajun moved to Northeast Park with his mother and sister from New Orleans, Louisiana (hence the nickname Cajun) and lived on 42nd Avenue Northeast through his time at Northeast High School. On September 11, 2001, he enlisted in the United States Marines immediately after the attacks on the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and American Airlines Flight 93. Combat duties included the Battle of Fallujah in Iraq and United States hostage rescues in the Philippines. Humanitarian duties included service following the catastrophic tsunami in Thailand. Cajun was honorably discharged as a Sergeant E5 with numerous accolades including the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, three time Expert Shooter, Humanitarian Award, and Army Achievement Medals. After traveling much of the South Pacific Rim and Middle East with the Marines, Cajun retuned home to Northeast Park and bought a wood frame house on 39th Avenue Northeast, which he is painstakingly restoring. He enrolled in St. Petersburg College where he proudly received his Associates of Arts degree in the Exceptional Teaching Program. He now works as a facilitator at the Canterbury School of Florida for a special needs child and is part of the Troops for Teachers Group. You’ll find Cajun running or walking for exercise around Northeast Park or dropping his first boat into Smacks Bayou at the Crisp Park boat ramp to fish Tampa Bay near Weedon Island. When you see him, introduce yourself and thank him for his exceptional service to our country and for working to make our community a better place.