Ann and Mario Guerra, along with two mayors, are pictured two weeks ago with the portrait of Gov. Downey. The portrait was gifted to Roscommon back in 2013. A copy but with reverse colors hangs in the Downey Council Chamber.

There are moments in public service that stay with you long after the title fades. For me, one of those moments began in 2013, during my second term as mayor, when I had the extraordinary honor of traveling to Roscommon, Ireland—the birthplace of Governor John Gately Downey, the namesake of our city.

Downey’s story is one of courage, ambition, and possibility. Born in County Roscommon, he emigrated to the United States in 1841, initially intending to pursue the priesthood. Instead, his journey took him west, where he ultimately found success in Northern California. From 1860 to 1862, he served as California’s governor, the first foreign-born individual to hold that office—and went on to leave a remarkable legacy. From helping establish Sacramento as the state capital, to advancing early telecommunications with the transcontinental telegraph, to supporting and starting institutions like USC, Downey’s fingerprints are still visible across California today.

But history became something more tangible when I stood in the Irish countryside, walking the very land he once called home.

In Castlesampson, Taughmaconnell, Roscommon, I had the opportunity to visit the ruins of Downey’s family homestead, tucked within the rolling green fields of a working farm. Standing there, surrounded by stone remnants and open sky, felt like stepping back in time. It was humbling. It was inspiring. And it reinforced just how deeply connected our communities are, despite the ocean between us.

That visit also marked the formal beginning of a Sister City—or “Twinning”—relationship between Downey and Roscommon. The welcome we received from Roscommon County Council was nothing short of extraordinary. We were treated not as visitors, but as family.

And then, something happened that none of us could have anticipated.

On our very first evening, while sharing dinner with then-Mayor Tom Crosby and his wife Pauline, a phone call changed everything.

Their daughter, Pearl, calling from Dublin, had just received devastating news: a tumor deep within her brain, believed to be inoperable. The room fell silent.

But in that moment of uncertainty, something remarkable unfolded. Through a connection within our delegation, we were able to reach a specialist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles—one of the few surgeons in the world capable of attempting such a procedure. Calls were made right there, across continents, fueled by urgency and hope.

Months later, Pearl traveled to Los Angeles. The surgery was high-risk—there were no guarantees. But against the odds, it was successful. She recovered here in our community and went on to do something symbolic and beautiful: she rode on Downey’s Rose Parade float, representing resilience, connection, and gratitude.

Today, Pearl Crosby Dillon is thriving. She is a mother, raising two children with her husband Niall in Dublin, and a living reminder of what can happen when compassion, community, and a bit of divine timing intersect with fate and faith.

Fast forward to 2026, and I had the privilege of returning to Ireland—this time not only to revisit a place rich with shared history, but to reconnect with people who have become lifelong friends. Ann and I spent time with Pearl, her husband Niall and her family, and when we returned to Roscommon, she joined us there—a full-circle moment that words can hardly capture. Her father Councillor Tom Crosby even drove the two hours to Dublin to pick us up and hosted us at his lovely home for dinner.

Much had changed, and yet everything felt familiar. The Roscommon County Council welcomed us once again with open arms (they literary flew the American flag alongside the Irish flag and County flag outside the building).

In their new council chambers hangs a portrait of Governor Downey—one we brought during that first visit—alongside the certificates and commemorations marking our twinning. Seeing the City of Downey’s seal displayed with pride, thousands of miles from home, was deeply moving.

There is also a unique symbol of our shared heritage that also stands in both communities: a bust of John Gately Downey. The original, created by a Roscommon artist, sits along a roadway in Ireland. Inspired by that piece, I commissioned the same artist to create a second bust, which now stands in front of Downey City Hall. Only two exist in the world—one where his life began, and one where his legacy flourished.

Returning to Roscommon also meant returning to those quiet fields, once again walking among the ruins of Downey’s past. This time, however, the experience carried even more meaning. It wasn’t just about history—it was about continuity. About the responsibility we share to preserve, honor, and build upon that legacy. I will work hard to make sure we can preserve the homestead and relationship between us.

Ireland has always been known as the Emerald Isle, a place of beauty, warmth, and storytelling. But for Downey, Roscommon is more than a scenic destination—it is part of our identity.

Our city was founded in 1873 and incorporated in 1956, but its story stretches back even further, carried across the Atlantic by a young immigrant with ambition and determination. That story lives on not only in monuments and street names, but in relationships—like the one we share with Roscommon.

I am grateful to the Downey City Council for recognizing the importance of this connection and for allowing me to carry their message back with me. And I am even more grateful for the friendships that have grown from that first visit in 2013.

Because in the end, this isn’t just about history.

It’s about people.

It’s about the bonds that tie us together across time, across oceans, and across generations.

And it’s about ensuring that our shared story continues to be told—for years to come.

Mario A. Guerra is the two-time former Mayor of Downey and host of the podcast, Talking Downey. He can be reached at www.marioaguerra.com

A Journey Back to Our Roots — And Forward Through Friendship