Somos Primos

August 2007 
Editor: Mimi Lozano ©2000-7

Dedicated to Hispanic Heritage and Diversity Issues
 Society of Hispanic Historical and Ancestral Research

Forty-One Years Ago  "La Marcha"  
 August 1966

  Letters to the Editor : 

Mimi,
I thought you might find this of interest. The e-mail from Sally made my day. Hopefully I can learn more from her, to determine if in fact we share "primos", or are "primos". Wonderful this family history. I wish that younger Hispanics would be encouraged to become involved in genealogy. Perhaps there are programs for young people, and I just don’t know about it.       Paul Gomez

From: Sally Quinones [mailto:sallyq@hollinet.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2007 12:22 PM
To: paul.gomez@verizon.net
Subject: Ixtlan del Rio Nayarit

Paul, I saw your letter to Mimi Lozano on Somos Primos about your research in Ixtlan del Rio. My maternal family was from Ixtlan del Rio. I have done research back to 1700's. Some of my surnames are Lerma, Gonzales, Becerra, Lizarraga, Parra, Ybarra, Mesa, Espinosa and many more. Let me know if I can be of any help.

Sally Zuniga-Quinones
sallyq@hollinet.com

Thank you, Mimi, with much appreciation,
Bert Cisneros, Cottonwood, AZ.

UNITED STATES

Hispanics in World War II by Tony Santiago
Update on PBS. . .  THE WAR
Master Chief Joe R. Campa Jr.
Lt. General Elwood R. Quesada
Documentary: Stand Up for Justice: The Ralph Lazo Story  
Documentary: East L.A Marine: The Untold True Story of Guy Gabaldon
California is leading the nation in Diversity
Inside the House: Hispanics Subgroups Differ by Age
U.S. Hispanic Media Market: Projections to 2010
Interracial Marriages Surge Across U.S. 
S: ¿De qué se trata la Genealogía Molecular?

Hispanics in World War II

by Tony (The Marine) Santiago

Index to Article:
Introduction
World War II European Theater
Pacific Theater
Distinguished Hispanic Aviators
Hispanic Servicewomen
Nurses
Hispanic Senior Officers
Submarine Commanders
Hispanic recipients of the Medal of Honor
Top military decorations awarded to Hispanic-Americans
Hero Street, USA
Discrimination against Hispanics in the Military
Discrimination in the Military
Discrimination After Returning Home 
Home Front
Economics of War
Hispanic Women in War Industries
Postscript End of the War
Honoring Our Heroes
Final Comments
References 

Hispanics, who constitute the largest minority group in this nation, have participated with distinction in every military conflict in which the United States has been involved from the American Revolution to the present day. During World War II, Hispanics fought in every major battle in the European Theatre, from North Africa to the Battle of the Bulge, in the Pacific Theater, from Bataan to Okinawa. Unfortunately, up until during the Korean War, the Department of Defense classified Hispanics as Caucasians, and thus official statistics recognizing Hispanic contributions are not available. As a result of the lack of documentation, the heroic deeds and contributions that Hispanics have made to our great nation are rarely found in our history books; and therefore, it is of no surprise that many of us (especially our children) are unaware of the contributions and sacrifices made by Hispanic-Americans so that everyone in this nation can enjoy the freedoms which we all have as Americans.

The term "Hispanic" in the United States is one of several terms of ethnicity employed to categorize any person, of any racial background, of any country and of any religion who has at least one ancestor from the people of Spain or Spanish-speaking Latin America, whether or not the person has Spanish ancestry. The three largest Hispanic groups in this nation are the Mexican-Americans, Puerto Ricans and Cubans. Hispanics also include people from the Caribbean and South and Central America.

When a Japanese Imperial Navy carrier fleet launched an unexpected attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Hispanics were among the first to bear arms in defense of the United States. They filled the ranks of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, either as volunteers or as a result of the draft. As members of the Armed Forces, they guarded U.S. military installations in the Caribbean and were active combat participation in both the European and Pacific Theatres of the war. Patriotic participation included not only the battlefields on foreign shores, but also included the home front. This was especially true for the hundreds of women who joined the WAACS and WAVES, serving either as nurses or in administrative positions, and those who worked in the manufacturing plants which produced munitions and material (commonly known as "Rosie the Riveter") during the war, while the men, who traditionally performed this work, were engaged in combat.

According to the National Museum of World War II, between 250, 000 and 500, 000 Hispanic men and women served in the Armed Forces during WW II. However, this is a rough estimate and unfortunately the exact number of those who served will never be known. The only racial groups to have separate stats kept were African-Americans and Asian-Americans. Puerto Ricans and the Hispanics who resided in the island of Puerto Rico were assigned to the 65th Infantry Regiment or to the Puerto Rico National Guard. These were the only all Hispanic units whose stats were kept and that is why it is known that over 53,000 Puerto Ricans and Hispanics who resided in the island served in the war. Hispanics who resided in the mainland of the United States and who were fluent in English were assigned to regular military units, otherwise they were assigned to units made up of mostly Hispanics. Those who were of fair skin color were assigned to units made up of Caucasians and those who were of dark skin color were sent to the segregated all black military units. Because of the lack of documentation, the exact number of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country is unknown. According to "Undaunted Courage Mexican American Patriots Of World War II", published in 2005 by Latino Advocates for Education, Inc., at least 9,170 Hispanics gave their lives for their country. Those estimates are based on the listings of military service personnel that were complied from military records, historical documentation or personal accounts.

Here are some of the stories of some of our Hispanic heroes who served our country, either as military personnel in active combat or as civilians on the home front.

The term European Theatre is used by the United States referring to an area of heavy fighting across Europe which occurred, from September 1, 1939 to May 8, 1945, where the Allied forces fought the Axis powers. The European Theater was subdivided into three theatres: the Eastern Front, the Western Front and the Mediterranean Theatre. Even though the majority of Hispanic-Americans served in regular units, there were some units, in addition to the 65th Infantry Regiment from Puerto Rico, which were made up mostly of Hispanics and which were involved in active combat. One of these units was 141st Regiment of the 36th Texas Infantry.

Hispanic of the 141st Regiment of the 36th Infantry Division from Texas were some of the first American troops to land on Italian soil at Salerno. Company E of the 141st Regiment of the 36th Texas Infantry Division was entirely made up of Hispanics. The 36th Infantry Division saw combat in Italy and France, enduring heavy casualties during the controversial crossing of the Rapido River near Cassino, Italy. The 141st Regiment alone suffered a total of 1,126 killed, 5,000 wounded, and over 500 missing in action. The members of the 141st were awarded 31 Distinguished Service Crosses, 12 Legion of Merits, 492 Silver Stars, 11 Soldier's Medals, 1,685 Bronze Stars, as well as numerous commendations and decorations.

In 1943, the 65th Infantry from Puerto Rico was sent to Panama to protect the Pacific and the Atlantic sides of the isthmus. The 295th Infantry Regiment followed in 1944, departing from San Juan, Puerto Rico to the Panama Canal Zone. Among those who served with the 295th Regiment in the Panama Canal Zone was a young second lieutenant by the name of Carlos Betances Ramirez, who would later become the only Puerto Rican to command a Battalion during the Korean War. That same year, the 65th Infantry was sent to North Africa, arriving at Casablanca, where they underwent further training. By April 29, 1944, the Regiment had landed in Italy and moved on to Corsica.

On September 22, 1944, the 65th Infantry landed in France and was committed to action on the Maritime Alps at Peira Cava. The 3rd Battalion, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Juan Cesar Cordero Davila, fought against and defeated Germany's 34th Infantry Division's 107th Infantry Regiment. There were 47 U.S. battle casualties, including Sergeant Angel Martinez from the town of Sabana Grande, who became the first Puerto Rican to be killed in action from the 65th Infantry. On March 18, 1945, the regiment was sent to the District of Mannheim and assigned to military occupation duties. The regiment suffered a total of 23 soldiers killed in action.

The economic situation in Puerto Rico during the 1930s was difficult as a result of the Great Depression. Due to the shortage of jobs in the island, many Puerto Ricans joined the United States Army, which offered a guaranteed income.

One of the most decorated Hispanic soldiers in World War II was Sergeant First Class Agustin Ramos Calero (1919-1989), . Agustin Ramos Calero was born and raised in the town of Isabela, in the northern region of Puerto Rico, He joined the U.S. Army in 1941 and was assigned to Puerto Rico's 65th Infantry Regiment at Camp Las Casas in Santurce. There he received his training as a rifleman. At the outbreak of World War II, Calero was reassigned to the 3rd U.S. Infantry Division and sent to Europe. In 1945, Calero's company was in the vicinity of Colmar, France and engaged in combat against a squad of German soldiers in what is known as the Battle of Colmar Pocket. Calero attacked the enemy squad, killing 10 and capturing 21 shortly before being wounded himself. For these actions, he was awarded the Silver Star Medal and received the nickname "One-Man Army" from his comrades. By the time the war ended, Calero had been wounded a total of four times during combat in Europe. He was awarded a total of 22 decorations and medals for his actions, making him one of the most decorated soldiers in the U.S. military during World War II. Among his many decorations were the Silver Star Medal, 4 Purple Heart Medals and the French Croix de Guerre.

The Pacific Theater of Operations (PTO) is the term used in the United States for all military activity between the Allies and Japan, from 1937 to 1945, in the Pacific Ocean and the countries bordering it, during World War II. There were three units made up mostly of Hispanic-Americans which served in the battlefields of the Pacific. These were the 200th Coast Artillery and the 515th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalions from New Mexico and the 158th Regimental Combat Team from Arizona.

Two National Guard units, the 200th and the 515th battalions, were activated in New Mexico in 1940. Made up mostly of Spanish speaking Hispanics from New Mexico, Arizona and Texas, the two battalions were sent to Clark Field in the Philippine Islands. Shortly after the Japanese Imperial Navy launched its surprise attack on the American Naval Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Japanese forces attacked the American positions in the Philippines. General Douglas MacArthur moved his forces, which included the 200th and 515th, to the Bataan Peninsula. Here, they fought alongside their Filipino comrades and made a heroic three-month stand against the invading forces. By April 9, 1942, rations, medical supplies, and ammunition dwindled and became scarce thus, the starving and outnumbered, troops surrendered to the Japanese. The men of the 200th and 515th battalions laid down their arms reluctantly after being given a direct order. These brave Hispanic and non-Hispanic soldiers endured the 12-day, 85-mile "death march" alongside their Filipino comrades, from Bataan to the Japanese prison camps and remained in captivity for 34 months.

The 158th Regimental Combat Team, an Arizona National Guard unit comprised of mostly Hispanic soldiers, also fought in the Pacific Theatre. Early in the war, the 158th – the "Bushmasters"– had been deployed to protect the Panama Canal and had completed much jungle training. The unit later fought the Japanese in the New Guinea area in heavy combat and was involved in the liberation of the Philippine Islands. General MacArthur referred to them as "the greatest fighting combat team ever deployed for battle."

Among the many Hispanic heroes who distinguished themselves in the Pacific Theatre was Guy Gabaldon, a young Marine who single-handedly captured over one thousand enemy civilians and troops.  

PFC Guy Gabaldon (1926-2006) joined the Marines when he was only 17 years old. He was a Private First Class (PFC) when his unit was engaged in the Battle of Saipan in 1944. Gabaldon, who acted as the Japanese interpreter for the Second Marines, displayed extreme courage and initiative in single-handedly capturing enemy civilian and military personnel. Working alone in front of the lines, he daringly entered enemy caves, pillboxes, buildings, and jungle brush, frequently in the face of hostile fire, and succeeded in not only obtaining vital military information, but in capturing well over one thousand enemy civilians and troops. He was nominated for the Medal of Honor, however he was awarded the Silver Star instead. This was later upgraded to the Navy Cross, the Marines second highest decoration for heroism. His actions were truly remarkable, especially when compared with the actions of Sergeant Alvin York, who during World War I defeated 36 Germans and captured 132 and was awarded the Medal of Honor. Gabaldon’s actions on Saipan were later memorialized in the film "Hell to Eternity", in which he was portrayed by actor Jeffrey Hunter.

[[Documentary: East L.A Marine: The Untold True Story of Guy Gabaldon, 90 minute. To obtain a copy, contact producer, Steve Rubin, 213-300-1896 steven@fastcarrier.com   www.fastcarrier.com ]]

Hispanics not only served in ground and sea bound combat units, but they also distinguished themselves as fighter pilots and as bombardiers. 

A "flying ace" or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The term "ace in a day" is used to designate a fighter pilot who has shot down five or more airplanes in a single day. Since World War I, a number of pilots have been honored as "Ace in A Day", however, the honor of being the last "Ace in A Day" for the United States in World War II belongs to First Lieutenant Oscar Francis Perdomo of the 464th fighter squadron, 507th fighter Group.

First Lieutenant Oscar Francis Perdomo, (1919-1976), the son of Mexican parents, was born in El Paso, Texas. When the war broke out, Perdomo joined the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) as an aviation cadet. He was trained to pilot the Republic P-47N-2-RE Thunderbolt fighter Bombers. After receiving his pilot training, he was assigned to the 464th fighter squadron, which was part of the 507th fighter group that was sent overseas to the Pacific to the Island of Ie Shima off the west coast of Okinawa.

The second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, Japan on August 9th, 1945, but while the Allies awaited Japan’s response to the demand to surrender, the war continued. On August 13, 1945, 1st Lt. Oscar Perdomo, shot down four Nakajima "Oscar" fighters and one Yokosuka "Willow" Type 93 biplane trainer. This action took place near Keijo/Seoul, Korea when 38 Thunderbolts of the 507th Fighter Wing, encountered approximately 50 enemy aircraft. This action was Lt. Perdomo's tenth and final combat mission, and the five confirmed victories made him an "Ace in a Day" and earned him the distinction of being the last "Ace" of World War II. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in action and the Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster.

Many other Hispanics served in with distinction in aerial combat including, Captain Michael Brezas, Lieutenant Colonel Donald S. Lopez, Sr., Commander Eugene A. Valencia Jr., Captain Mihiel "Mike" Gilormini, Captain Robert L. Cardenas, Technical Sergeant Clement Resto and Corporal Frank Medina.

Captain Michael Brezas, USAAF fighter ace. Captain Brezas arrived in Lucera, Italy during the summer of 1944, joining the 48th Fighter Squadron of the 14th Fighter Group. Flying the P-38 aircraft, Lt. Brezas downed 12 enemy planes within two months. He received the Silver Star Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air Medal with eleven oak leaf clusters.

Lieutenant Colonel Donald S. Lopez, Sr., USAAF fighter ace. Lt. Col. Lopez was assigned to the 23rd Fighter Group under the command of General Claire Chennault. The mission of the fighter group (the "Flying Tigers") was to help defend the Chinese nationals against their Japanese invaders. During 1943-1944, Lopez was credited with shooting down five Japanese fighters, four in a Crutiss P-40's and one in a North American P-51.

Commander Eugene A. Valencia Jr., U.S. Navy fighter ace, Commander Valencia is credited with 23 air victories in the Pacific during World War II. Valencia's decorations include the Navy Cross, five Distinguished Flying Crosses, and six Air Medals.

Captain Mihiel "Mike" Gilormini, Royal Air Force and USAAF. Gilormini was a flight commander whose last combat mission was attacking the airfield at Milano, Italy. His last flight in Italy gave air cover for General George C. Marshall's visit to Pisa. Gilormini was the recipient of the Silver Star Medal, five Distinguished Flying Crosses, and the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters. Gilormini later became the Founder of the Puerto Rico Air National Guard and retired as Brigadier General.

Captain Robert L. Cardenas served as a B-24 aircraft pilot in the European Theater of Operations with the 506th Bombardment Squadron. He was awarded the Air Medal and two oak leaf clusters for bombing missions before being shot down over Germany in March 1944. Despite head wounds from flak, he made his way back to Allied control. On October 14th, 1947, Cardenas flew the B-29 launch aircraft that released the X-1 experimental rocket plane in which Charles E. Yeager, a captain at the time, became the first man to fly faster than the speed of sound. Cardenas retired as Brigadier General.

Technical Sergeant Clement Resto, USAAF. Though not an "ace", T/Sgt Resto served with the 303rd Bomb Group and participated in numerous bombing raids over Germany. During a bombing mission over Duren, Germany, Resto's plane, a B-17 Flying Fortress, was shot down. He was captured by the Gestapo and sent to Stalag XVII-B where he spent the rest of the war as a prisoner of war. Resto, who lost an eye during his last mission, was awarded a Purple Heart, a POW Medal and an Air Medal with one battle star after he was liberated from captivity.

Corporal Frank Medina, USAAF. During a Defense Department tribute to Hispanics who participated in World War II, Medina said: "thank the good Lord for making me a Latino." Medina was an air crew member on a B-24 that was shot down over Italy. He was the only crewmember to evade capture. Medina explained that his ability to speak Spanish had allowed him to communicate with friendly Italians who helped him avoid capture for eight months behind enemy lines. "So you see," he continued. "There's an advantage to being a Latino."

Traditional Hispanic cultural values expected women to be homemakers, thus they rarely left the home to earn an income. As such, women were discouraged from joining the military. Only a small number of Hispanic women joined the military before World War II. However, with the outbreak of World War II, the cultural prohibitions began to change. With the creation of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC), predecessor of the Women's Army Corps (WAC), and the U.S. Navy WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) women could attend to certain administrative duties left open by the men who were reassigned to combat zones. In 1944, the Army sent recruiters to Puerto Rico to recruit women for the Women’s Army Corps (WAC). Over 1,000 applications were received for the unit, which was to be composed of only 200 women. After their basic training at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, the Puerto Rican WAC unit was assigned to the Port of Embarkation of New York City to work in military offices that planned the shipment of troops around the world. Not all of the WAAC units were stationed in the mainland USA. On January 1943, the 149th WAAC Post Headquarters Company became the first WAAC unit to go overseas when they went to North Africa. Serving overseas was dangerous for these women. If captured, WAACs, as "auxiliaries" serving with the Army rather than in it, did not have the same protections under international law as male soldiers. While most women who served in the military joined the WAACs, a smaller number of women served in the Naval Women’s Reserve (the WAVES).

One of the members of the 149th WAAC Post Headquarters Company was Tech4 Carmen Contreras-Bozak, who served in Algiers within General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s theatre headquarters.

Tech4 Carmen Contreras-Bozak joined the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) in 1942 and was sent to Fort Lee, Virginia for training. Contreras volunteered to be part of the 149th WAAC Post Headquarters Company , thus becoming the first Hispanic woman in the WAAC. She was also the first Hispanic in said organization to serve as an interpreter and in numerous administrative positions. The unit was the first WAAC unit to go overseas, setting sail from New York Harbor for Europe on January 1943.

Contreras unit arrived in Northern Africa on January 27, 1943 and rendered overseas duties in Algiers within General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s theatre headquarters. The unit had to deal with nightly German air raids. Contreras remembers that the women who served abroad were not treated like the regular Army servicemen. They did not receive overseas payment nor could they receive government life insurance. These women had no protection if they became ill, wounded or captured. Contreras served until 1945 and earned the following decorations, European-African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 2 Battle Stars, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Women's Army Corps Service Medal and the Army Good Conduct Medal.

There were many other Hispanic Servicewomen like Conterras who served either in the WAAC‘s, WAVE‘s or MCWR (Marine Corps Women’s Reserve’s) among them Maria Rodriguez-Denton and Sergeant Mary Castro.

LTJG Maria (Rodriguez) Denton, the Navy assigned LTJG Denton as a library assistant at the Cable and Censorship Office in New York City. It was Lt. Denton who forwarded the news (through channels) to President Harry S, Truman that the war had ended.

Sergeant Mary Castro was the first Hispanic woman from San Antonio, Texas, to join the WAAC. Seven men in her family were fighting in the Pacific Theatre and she hoped that by joining the military that she would be able to help bring home her family members. She was trained at the Army’s radio school in St. Louis, Missouri, there she learned to transcribe encoded radio messages. She continued to serve as a drill instructor in the Women’s Army Corps.

When the United States entered World War II, the military was in need of nurses. Hispanic nurses wanted to volunteer for service, however they were not accepted into the Army or Navy Nurse Corps. As a result, many women went to work in the factories which produced military equipment. As more Hispanic men joined the armed forces a need for bilingual nurses became apparent and the Army started to recruit Hispanic nurses. In 1944, the Army Nurse Corps (ANC) decided to accept Puerto Rican nurses. Thirteen women submitted applications, were interviewed, underwent physical examinations, and were accepted into the ANC. Eight of these nurses were assigned to the Army Post at San Juan, where they were valued for their bilingual abilities. Five nurses were assigned to work at the hospital at Camp Tortuguero, Puerto Rico.

One of these nurses was Second Lieutenant Carmen Lozano Dumler, one of the first Puerto Rican women to become a United States Army officer as a WAC.

Second Lieutenant Carmen Lozano Dumler was born and raised in the capital city of Puerto Rico, where she also received her primary and secondary education. After graduating from high school, she enrolled in the Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing in San Juan where she became a certified nurse in 1944. In August 21, 1944, she was sworn in as a 2nd Lieutenant and assigned to the 161st General Hospital in San Juan, where she continued to receive further training. Upon completing her advanced training, she was sent to Camp Tortugero where she also assisted as an interpreter whenever needed.

In 1945, Lozano was reassigned to the 359th Station Hospital of Ft. Read, Trinidad and Tobago, British West Indies, there she attended wounded soldiers who had returned from Normandy, France. After the war, Lozano, like so many other women in the military, returned to civilian life. She continued her nursing career in Puerto Rico until she retired in 1975.

Another Hispanic nurse who distinguished herself in her service to our country was Lieutenant Maria Roach. Lieutenant Maria (Garcia) Roach who served as a flight nurse with the Army Nurse Corps in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations. Roach was awarded an Air Medal and two Bronze Stars for her heroic actions.

Hispanics served as senior military officers during World War II. Most of them were graduates of the United States Naval Academy. The two highest ranking Hispanic officers who played an instrumental role in the war were Major General (Later Lieutenant General) Pedro del Valle, the first Hispanic to reach the rank of General in the Marine Corps and Brigadier General (Later Lieutenant General) Elwood R. "Pete" Quesada of the Army Air Forces.

Lieutenant General Pedro Augusto del Valle (1893–1978), bron in San Juan, Puerto Rico, as a Colonel del Valle was the Commanding Officer of the 11th Marine Regiment (artillery). Upon the outbreak of World War II, del Valle led his regiment during the seizure and defense of Guadalcanal, providing artillery support for the 1st Marine Division. In the Battle of Tenaru, the fire power provided by del Valle's artillery units killed many assaulting Japanese soldiers before they ever reached the Marine positions. The attackers were killed almost to the last man. The outcome of the battle was so stunning that the Japanese commander, Colonel Ichiki Kiyonao, committed seppuku shortly afterwards. General Alexander Vandegrift, impressed with del Valle's leadership recommended his promotion and on October 1, 1942, del Valle became a Brigadier General. Vandegrift retained del Valle as head of the 11th Marines, the only time that the 11th Marines has ever had a general as their commanding officer. In 1943, he served as Commander of Marine Forces overseeing Guadalcanal, Tulagi, and the Russell and Florida Islands.

On April 1, 1944, del Valle, as Commanding General of the Third Corps Artillery, III Marine Amphibious Corps, took part in the Battle of Guam and was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a second Legion of Merit. The men under his command did such a good job with their heavy artillery that no one man could be singled out for commendation. Instead each man was given a letter of commendation by del Valle, which was carried in his record books.

In late October 1944, he succeeded Major General William Rupertus as Commanding General of the 1st Marine Division, being personally greeted to his new command by Colonel Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller. At the time, the 1st Marine Division was training on the island of Pavuvu for the invasion of Okinawa. On May 29, 1945, del Valle participated in one of the most important events that led to victory in Okinawa. After five weeks of fighting, del Valle ordered Company A of the 1st Battalion 5th Marines to capture Shuri Castle, a medieval fortress of the ancient Ryukyuan kings. Seizure of Shuri Castle represented a moral blow for the Japanese and was an undeniable milestone in the Okinawa campaign. The fighting in Okinawa would continue for 24 more days. Del Valle was awarded a Distinguished Service Medal for his leadership during the battle and the subsequent occupation and reorganization of Okinawa.

Lieutenant General Elwood R. "Pete" Quesada, (1904-1993), was assigned to intelligence in the Office of the Chief of Air Corps in October 1940. He went on to become commanding general of the 9^th Fighter Command where he established advanced Headquarters on the Normandy beachhead on D-Day plus one, and directed his planes in aerial cover and air support for the Allied invasion of the European continent.

He was the foremost proponent of "the inherent flexibility of air power," a principle he helped prove during World War II. His military career spanned aviation history from post-World War I era biplanes to supersonic jets.

In December 1942, a year after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Quesada took the First Air Defense Wing to North Africa and the heat of battle. Shortly thereafter, he was given command of the XII Fighter Command and in this capacity would work out the mechanics of close air support and Army-Air Forces cooperation.

The successful integration of air and land forces in the Tunisia campaign forged by Quesada and the Allied leaders became a blueprint for operations incorporated into Army Air Forces field regulations -- FM 100-20, "Command and Employment of Air Power," first published on July 21, 1943 -- and provided the Allies with their first victory in the European war. Principles such as the co-equality of ground and air force commanders, centralized command of tactical aircraft to exploit "the inherent flexibility of air power," and the attainment of air superiority over the battlefield as a prerequisite for successful ground operations formed the core of tactical air doctrine. In October 1943, Quesada assumed command of the IX Fighter Command in England, and his forces provided air cover for the greatest invasion in history, the landings on Normandy Beach. Among Quesada’s many military decorations were the following: Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster; Distinguished Flying Cross; Purple Heart and an Air Medal with two silver stars.

A number of other Hispanics served in senior leadership positions during World War II, including Rear Admiral Jose M. Cabanillas, Rear Admiral Edmund Ernest Garcia, Rear Admiral Frederick Lois Riefkohl, Admiral Horacio Rivero, Colonel Jaime Sabater and Rear Admiral Henry G. Sanchez.

Rear Admiral Jose M. Cabanillas, USN, (1901-1979) born in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, was an Executive Officer of the USS Texas, which participated in the invasions of North Africa and Normandy (D-Day) during World War II. In 1945, he became the first Commanding officer of the USS Grundy (APA-111).

Rear Admiral Edmund Ernest Garcia, USN, during WWII was commander of the destroyer USS Sloat and saw action in the invasions of Africa, Sicily, and France.

Rear Admiral Frederick Lois Riefkohl, USN, (1889–1969), a native of Maunabo, Puerto Rico, was World War I Navy Cross recipient who served as Captain of the USS Vincennes (CA-44) during World War II.

Admiral Horacio Rivero, Jr., USN, (1910–2000), born in Ponce, Puerto Rico), served aboard the USS San Juan (CL-54) and was involved in providing artillery cover for Marines landing on Guadalcanal, Marshall Islands, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. Rivero eventually reached the rank of Full-Admiral (four-stars). In October 1962, Admiral Rivero found himself in the middle of the Cuban Missile Crisis. As Commander of amphibious forces, Atlantic Fleet, he was on the front line of the vessels sent to the Caribbean by President Kennedy to stop the Cold War from escalating into World War III.

Colonel Jaime Sabater, USMC, born in Puerto Rico, commanded the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines during the Bougainville amphibious operations.

Rear Admiral Henry G. Sanchez, USN, during World War II, then-LCDR Sanchez commanded VF-72, a F4F squadron of 37 aircraft, onboard the USS Hornet (CV-8) from July to October 1942. His squadron was responsible for shooting down 38 Japanese airplanes during his command tour, which included the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands.

Captain Marion Frederic Ramirez de Arellano, (1913-1980) USN, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, participated in five war patrols. He led the effort to rescue five Navy pilots and one enlisted gunner off Wake Island, and contributed to the sinking of two Japanese freighters and damaging a third. For his actions, he was awarded a Silver Star Medal and a Legion of Merit Medal.

After a brief stint at the Navy Yard on Mare Island, he was reassigned to the USS Skate, a Balao class submarine. He participated in the Skates first three war patrols and was awarded a second Silver Star Medal for his contributions in the sinking the Japanese light cruiser Agano, on his third patrol. The Agano had survived a previous torpedo attack by submarine USS Scamp.

In April 1944, Ramirez de Arellano as named Commanding Officer of the USS Balao. He participated in his ship's war patrols 5, 6 and 7. On July 5, 1944, Ramirez de Arellano led the rescue of three downed Navy pilots in the Palau area. On December 4, 1944, the Balao departed from Pearl Harbor to patrol in the Yellow Sea. The Balao engaged and sunk the Japanese cargo ship Daigo Maru on January 8, 1945. Ramirez de Arellano was awarded a Bronze Star Medal with Combat V and a Letter of Commendation.

Two other notable Hispanic submarine commanders were Rear Admiral Rafael Celestino Benitez and Captain C. Kenneth Ruiz.

Rear Admiral Rafael Celestino Benitez, USN, (1917–1999) born in Juncos, Puerto Rico, was a Lieutenant Commander and saw action aboard submarines and on various occasions weathered depth charge attacks. For his actions, he was awarded the Silver and Bronze Star Medals. Benitez would later play an important role in the first American undersea spy mission of the Cold War as commander of the submarine USS Cochino in what became known as the "Cochino Incident".

Captain C. Kenneth Ruiz, USN , from Long Beach, California, was a crew member of the cruiser USS Vincennes (CA-44), during the Battle of Savo Island. After being rescued at sea and sent to Pearl Harbor, he got a personal invitation by Admiral Chester Nimitz to join the Submarine Service. He was named Captain of the submarine USS Pollack and participated in eight war patrols in the hostile waters of the Pacific during WWII.

The Medal of Honor, sometimes referred to as the Congressional Medal of Honor, is the highest military decoration in the United States bestowed "for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty, in actual combat against an armed enemy force." The medal is awarded by the President of the United States on behalf of the Congress. Joe P. Martinez was the first Hispanic recipient, from a total of 13, of the Medal of Honor during World War II. His posthumous award was the first for combat heroism on American soil (other than the 15 at Pearl Harbor) since the Indian Campaigns .

Pvt. Joe P. Martinez, whose birth name was Joseph Pantillion Martinez, was one of nine children born to a family of Mexican immigrants. His family moved to Ault, Colorado and on August 1942, he was drafted into the United States Army and sent to Camp Roberts in California where he received his basic training.

On May 26, 1943, the 32nd Infantry Regiment was engaged in combat in the vicinity of Fish Hook Ridge, in the Aleutian Islands, against enemy troops. The regiment was pinned down by enemy fire. Pvt. Martinez, on his own account led two assaults. He fired his rifle into the Japanese foxholes and occasionally he stopped to urge his comrades on. His example inspired the men of his unit to follow. Martinez was shot in the head as he approached one final foxhole after the second assault, dying of the wound the following day. Because of his actions the pass was taken, and its capture was an important preliminary to the end of organized hostile resistance. Martinez was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, highest military decoration of the United States.

Of the 14 Medal of Honors awarded, 6 of them were awarded posthumously. Texas is the state that accounted for the most Hispanic Medal of Honor recipients in World War II with a total of 5. The following is a list of recipients in alphabetical order by last names, followed by branch of service, place and date of action. Note: An asterisk after the name indicates that the award was given posthumously.

Lucian Adams: United States Army. Place and Date of Action: St. Die, France, October 1944.

Rudolph B. Davila: United States Army. Place and Date of Action: Artena, Italy, 28 May, 1944. Davila was of Hispanic-Filipino descent and the only person of Filipino ancestry to receive the medal for his actions in the war in Europe

Marcario Garcia: United States Army. Place and Date of Action: Near Grosshau, Germany, November 27, 1944. Garcia was the first Mexican national Medal of Honor recipient.

Harold Gonsalves*: United States Marine Corps. Place and Date of Action: Ryūkyū Chain, Okinawa, April 15, 1945.

David M. Gonzales*: United States Army. Place and Date of Action: Villa Verde Trail, Luzon, Philippine Islands, April 25, 1945.

Silvestre S. Herrera: United States Army. Place and Date of Action: Near Mertzwiller, France, March 15, 1945. Herrera is the only living person authorized to wear the Medal of Honor and Mexico's equivalent "Premier Merito Militar" (Order of Military Merit).

Jose M. Lopez: United States Army. Place and Date of Action: Near Krinkelt, Belgium, December 17, 1944

Joe P. Martinez*: United States Army. Place and Date of Action: Attu, Aleutians, May 26, 1943. Martinez was the first Hispanic-American recipient who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for combat heroism on American soil during World War II.

Manuel Perez Jr.*: United States Army. Place and Date of Action: Fort William McKinley, Luzon, Philippine Islands, February 13, 1945.

Cleto L. Rodriguez: United States Army. Place and Date of Action: Paco Railroad Station, Manila, Philippine Islands, February 9, 1945.

Alejandro R. Ruiz: United States Army. Place and Date of Action: Okinawa, Japan, April 28, 1945.

Jose F. Valdez*: United States Army. Place and Date of Action: Rosenkrantz, France, January 25, 1945.

Ysmael R. Villegas*: United States Army. Place and Date of Action: Villa Verde Trail, Luzon, Philippine Islands, March 20, 1945.

Hispanics have been awarded every major U.S. military decoration, including the Medal of Honor. Hispanics-Americans have also been honored with military awards from other counties. 31 Hispanics were awarded the Belgium Croix de Guerre and 3 Hispanics received the French Croix de Guerre. The figures in the following table come from the book "Undaunted Courage Mexican American Patriots Of World War II" published in 2005 by Latino Advocates for Education, Inc. and according to Rogelio C. Rodriguez of the LAE, the figures are based on listings of military service personnel that have been complied from military records, historical documentation, or personal accounts.

In the small mid-West town of Silvis, Illinois, the former Second Street is now known as Hero Street USA. The muddy block and a half long street was home to Mexican immigrants who worked the railroads. The 22 families who lived on the street were a close-knit group. From this small street, 84 men served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam – the street contributed more men to military services in World War II and Korea than any other street of comparable size in the U.S. In total, eight men from Hero Street gave their lives during World War II – Joseph Gomez, Peter Macias, Johnny Munos, Tony Pompa, Frank Sandoval, Joseph "Joe" Sandoval, William "Bill" Sandoval and Claro Soliz. Second Street‘s name was changed to Hero Street in honor to these patriotic men and their families.

Sacrifice of the Sandoval Families: Of the 22 families on Second Street, the two Sandoval families had a total of thirteen men who served – and of these, three gave their lives in service during World War II.

The Sandoval’s were two families of Mexican immigrants who settled in the town of Silvis, Illinois and lived in Second Street.

Edubigis and Angelina Sandoval immigrated to the U.S. with a dream of having a better life. When the news reached Silvis that the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor, two of the Sandoval sons, Joe and Frank Sandoval joined the U.S. Army to defend their country, Joe was sent to combat in Africa, the Middle East and Europe with the 41st Armored Infantry Division. Frank was assigned to the 209 Combat Engineering Battalion and served in the Pacific. Frank was the first of the Sandoval’s to die and Joe followed a year later.

Joseph and Carmen Sandoval also immigrated to the United States from Mexico. When the war broke out, their son Bill asked for permission to enlist in the Army. In gratitude to this nation, both parents consented to their son's request to serve the country. Bill Sandoval was trained as a paratrooper and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. He was killed during a combat mission on October 6, 1944.

There were many other families all over the country, like the Sandoval’s, who had multiple members join the Armed Forces. The following Hispanic families each had six siblings who served in the military during the war:

1. The Banuelo family, originally from Mexico and who resided in Los Angeles, California, Charles G., Henry G., Jesus G., Ralph G., Robert G. and Roy G. Banuelos.

2. The Garcia family from Los Angeles, California, Al Alfonso, Anthony V., Gustavo N., Ignacio J., Joseph E. and Leonard J. Garcia.

3. The Mora family from Laredo, Texas, Gilberto, Calixto, Alejandro, Silvestre, Daniel, and Reynaldo Mora.

One family, the Nevarez family, from Los Angeles, California, had a total of 8 siblings in the Armed Forces. They were, Francisco, Gilberto, Manuel, Ezekiel, Samuel, Daniel, Feliz and Encarnacion (KIA) Nevarez.

On July 4, 1776 our Founding Fathers signed their names to the Declaration of Independence envisioning a country that would guarantee basic freedoms to all its citizens. The equality declared in 1776 has been denied to many men and women of various races and religions at one time or another. Prejudice, discrimination and intolerance often arose from fear, suspicion and anger. At different times in our history people have been denied their rights because of their ethnicity. Racial discrimination practiced against Hispanics, including Puerto Ricans on the United States' east coast and Mexican American’s in California and the Southwest, was widespread and was not limited to civilians. During World War II, the United States Army was segregated. Hispanics, including the Puerto Ricans who resided on the mainland, who were fluent in English served alongside their "white" counterparts. Those who were not fluent in English were assigned to units made up mostly of Hispanics. "Black" Hispanics were assigned to units made up mostly of African-Americans. The vast majority of the Puerto Ricans from the island served in Puerto Rico's segregated units, like the 65th Infantry and the Puerto Rico National Guard's 285th and 296th regiments. Some Hispanics who served in regular Army units witnessed and experienced the racial discrimination of the day.

In an interview, PFC Raul Rios Rodriguez from Puerto Rico said that during his basic training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, he had encountered a strict drill instructor who was particularly harsh on the Hispanic and black soldiers in his unit. He stated that he remains resentful of the discriminatory treatment that Latino and black soldiers received during basic training.

"We were all soldiers; we were all risking our lives for the United States. That should have never been done, Never."

Rios Rodriguez was shipped to Le Havre, France, assigned to guard bridges and supply depots in France and Germany with the 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division.

Another soldier from Puerto Rico, PFC Felix Lopez-Santos was drafted into the Army and sent to Fort Dix in New Jersey for training. Lopez-Santos went to Milne Bay and then to the small island of Woodlark, both in New Guinea, where he was in the communications department, using telephone wires to communicate to the troops during the war. In an interview, Lopez-Santos stated that in North Carolina he witnessed some forms of racial discrimination, but never experienced it for himself. He stated, "I remember seeing some colored people refused service at a restaurant, I believe that I was not discriminated against because of my blue eyes and fair complexion."

PFC Norberto Gonzalez was born in Cuba and moved to New York City in 1944 where he joined the Army. He was assigned to an all-white battalion and is soon subject to discrimination. In Gonzalez’s own words: "They would ask me a lot what my name was and where I was born, and I constantly found myself explaining this to everyone. Once they knew who I was, they would treat me differently."

He requested a transfer to a black segregated battalion because of the discrimination he felt and said that it was only then when he felt comfortable. "My relationship with the soldiers in my battalion was good; they were down-to-earth people. I felt good. I felt like I could progress with them"

Cpl. Alfonso Rodriguez, a Mexican-American, was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico. In 1941, he joined the Army, where he would face racial discrimination. According to Rodriguez: "I was in recruit training the first time that I felt racial discrimination." He recalled one incident when he and fellow Mexican-American soldiers were sitting around speaking Spanish when a white soldier approached them. The white soldier demanded that the men stop speaking Spanish and speak English, "like Americans." After arguing, Rodriguez said the white soldier, who was much bigger than he was, slapped him around and stormed off. Several weeks later, after a friend taught him some boxing moves, Rodriguez confronted the white soldier with his newfound boxing skills. "I was angry," Rodriguez said. "When I hit him, I laid him out on the floor. He took off running and never bothered us anymore."

Rodriguez’s first taste of combat was in New Guinea in 1944. His unit participated in the invasion of Los Negros Island. He recalls the racial remarks made by a Captain while he was wounded. "That was the first time I was called a smart-ass Mexican," said Rodriguez, speaking of an incident that occurred in the Philippines. Rodriguez earned a Bronze Star and four Purple Heart medals before he returned home.

Despite the fact that Hispanics served with honor, they still had to deal with discrimination upon their return home. Discrimination was not only limited to those who returned alive, but in some cases, such as the case of Pvt. Felix Longoria, it was also practiced against those who gave their lives for our country.

Pvt. Felix Longoria (1919-1944), from Three Rivers, Texas, was drafted into the U.S. Army on November 11, 1944. At the age of 25, he left Texas, leaving behind his wife and four year old daughter. Seven months later, he was killed in action while on a voluntary patrol in the Cagayan Valley, Luzon, Philippines. When his remains were returned in 1949 , his widow Beatrice Longoria attempted to make the funeral arrangements in the town's only funeral parlor. The owner of the funeral parlor refused the Longoria family the use of the parlor under the grounds that "the whites would not like it." Dr. Hector P. Garcia, who founded the American G.I. Forum, and then-U.S. Senator Lyndon B. Johnson of Texas intervened. Senator Johnson, Lady Bird Johnson, Congressman John Lyle, and President Truman's military aide, Gen. Harry H. Vaughan joined the Longoria family for a full military burial with honors at Arlington National Cemetery on February 16, 1949. Senator Johnson stated "This injustice and prejudice is deplorable. I am happy to have a part seeing that this Texas hero is laid to rest with the honor and dignity his service deserves."

Entertainment provided by the United Service Organizations, Inc. (USO) helped to lift the morale of our troops. Some Hispanics in the entertainment business served our country in this manner. One of the most notable was Desi Arnaz.

Cuban bandleader, Desi Arnaz (1917–1986), who in the 1950s produced and starred alongside his wife Lucille Ball, in the popular television sitcom "I Love Lucy", was drafted into the Army in 1943. The Army classified him for limited service because a of prior knee injury and as a result he was assigned to direct the U.S.O. programs at a military hospital in the San Fernando Valley, California. He served until 1945.

When the United States entered World War II, it was expected that Hispanic-Americans would not only serve their country in the military, but also as civilians who remained on the home-front. Hispanic-American men and women who lived in the mainland, benefited from the sudden economic boom as a result of the war; and the doors opened for many of the migrants who were searching for jobs. Puerto Ricans, both male and female, found themselves employed in factories and ship docks, producing both domestic and warfare goods in what became known as the "The Great Migration" of Puerto Ricans to New York. The new migrants gained the knowledge and working skills that would serve them well.

Perhaps the most enduring image of American life on the home front is that of "Rosie the Riveter" by J. Howard Miller, inspired by a Norman Rockwell drawing. "Rosie" came to symbolize the ideal female war worker–she was strong and patriotic, yet retained her feminine look.

Prior to World War II, many women had been homemakers and rarely left the home to earn a living. This was especially true in the traditional Hispanic culture. Previously, the federal government had discouraged women, especially married ones, from seeking paid employment during the Depression. The need for workers in war industries led to a reversal of this policy. The first jobs that were given to women included secretarial work, sewing for the Red Cross and winding bandages to send overseas to the men in combat.

When men began to leave their jobs for military service, women began to fill in the gaps and entered traditionally "male" occupations. They helped to build airplanes, made ammunition in factories, and worked in shipyards.

The following are the stories of some of the Hispanic women who served in war industries, from interviews as complied by the "U.S. Latino & Latina WWII Oral History Project" under the direction of Prof. Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez of the University of Texas.

Isabel Solis-Thomas and Elvia Solis were born in Veracruz, Mexico. The Solis family immigrated to the United States and moved to Brownsville, Texas. Mrs. Solis-Thomas remembers experiencing discrimination as a youth, even from people of her own ancestry. She remembered a Mexican-American teacher once telling the class that no matter how much Mexican-American girls applied themselves, they would never accomplish anything more than being housekeepers.

When World War II broke out, both sisters volunteered to become "Rosie the Riveter" machinists, welding pipes and repairing cargo ships by the war’s end with women of all races from all over the country. Mrs. Solis-Thomas said recruiters wanted women who were small, short and thin for crawling into dangerous places in the ships. She said she worked nine-hour days, six days a week, striking and sealing steel rods with precision and purpose. "It (the war) was in full force," Mrs. Solis-Thomas said. "And that’s why they needed us to go and help them to build these ships to get them out because they needed the ammunition, they needed the food and they needed to transport these boys where they had to go." "I was so proud because, man, I did it just exactly the way they wanted (me) to," Mrs. Solis-Thomas said. "And here I come out, and they said, "Hi, shorty. You did pretty good."

In 1944, the United States produced 96,318 airplanes. Over 250,000 airplanes were produced between 1939 and 1945. Those airplanes needed mechanics.

Josephine Ledesma, from Austin, Texas, was 24 when the war broke out. At that time, her husband, Alfred, was drafted and she decided to volunteer to work as an airplane mechanic. Even tough the Army waived her husband’s duty, she was sent to train at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas., where she as the only Mexican-American woman on the base.

After her training, she was sent to Bergstrom Air Field. According to Ledesma "In Bergstrom Field our duty was 'to keep them flying.' We were taking care of all transit aircraft that came that needed repairs." There were two other women, both non-Hispanic, at Bergstrom Air Field, and several more in Big Spring, all working in the sheet metal department. At Big Spring, she was the only woman working in the hangar. She worked as a mechanic between from 1942 to 1944.

The American participation in the World War II came to an end in Europe on May 8, 1945, "V-E Day" (Victory in Europe Day), with Germany's surrender and in the Asian theater on August 14, 1945, "V-J Day" (Victory over Japan Day), when the Japanese surrendered by signing the Japanese Instrument of Surrender.

Many of the men and women who were discharged from the military after the war returned to their civilian jobs or made use of the educational benefits of the G.I. Bill. However, there were many who continued in the military as career soldiers and went on to serve in the Korean War. Women were now considered a valuable asset to the national work force and many preferred to remain in their jobs and were longer looked upon by the American public in general only as homemakers.

The memory of many of our heroes has been honored in various ways. Some their names can be found in ships, parks and inscribed in monuments. On various occasions, the Pentagon and the Department of Defense have paid tribute to these warriors.

Captain Linda Garcia Cubero (USAF), while serving as Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense, supervised the development of a United States commemorative stamp designed to honor Hispanics who served in America's defense. The stamp was designed by the ten Hispanic Medal of Honor recipients and unveiled on October 31, 1984.

Various Latino organizations and writers have worked to document the Hispanic experience in World War II; most notably the U.S. Latino & Latina WWII Oral History Project, launched by Professor. Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez of the University of Texas. However, the vast majority of the American population continues to be unaware of our contributions because these have been omitted from our history books and from documentaries.

"The War", a documentary about World War II by filmmaker Ken Burns that will air on PBS in September 2007, did not include any mention of Hispanic contributions. This failure to include any Hispanics in the film has been recognized and criticized by ordinary citizens, Hispanic leaders, and Congressional leaders alike. As a result of public pressure, officials in PBS have announced that Burns' documentary will include additional content incorporating the Hispanic contributions to the war effort.

The only way that the people of America will become aware of contributions made by Hispanics, and also the contributions of other minorities to our country, is if their stories are included in our history books and documentaries and reported in the mass media. By educating this generation about the accomplishments of our past generations, we preserve our history for future generations to look back on with pride.

"World War II By The Numbers" in Education at the World War II Museum. The National World War II Museum. http://www.nationalww2museum.org/education/education_numbers.html 
 [1 June 2007] "Undaunted Courage Mexican American Patriots Of World War II" (2005). Latino Advocates for Education, Inc. http://www.latinoadvocates.org/registrationinfo2006.html> [ 2 June 2007] Schmal, John P. (November 11, 1999) "Hispanic Contributions to America's Defense", Puerto Rico Herald. http://www.houstonculture.org/hispanic/memorial.html [1 June 2007] Harris, W. W. Puerto Rico’s Fighting 65th U.S. Infantry: From San Juan to Chowan. Presidio Press. ISBN 0-89141-056-2 "Commands" http://www.valerosos.com/CommandsGVillahermosa.html
 [1 June 2007] Soulet, Noemi Figueroa. (August 17, 2005) "Puerto Rican Soldier". http://www.prsoldier.com/17--aug2005.pdf  [2 June 207] Flores, Santiago A. "Oscar F. Perdomo - The Last Ace In a Day of WW II" in America's Defense. http://www.neta.com/~1stbooks/oscarp.htm  [2 June 2007] "Memories of a Jug Driver". WorldWar2Pilots.com. http://www.worldwar2pilots.com/earlspage.htmL  [2 June 2007] "T/SG Clement Resto" http://www.valerosos.com/2.htm [2 June 2007] Rhem, Kathleen T. (September 15, 2004) "Pentagon Hosts Salute to Hispanic World War II Veterans". U.S. Department of Defense. http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=25295  [3 June 2007] " Lieutenant General Pedro A. Del Valle, USMC", Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. http://hqinet001.hqmc.usmc.mil/HD/Historical/Whos_Who/delValle_PA.htm  [2 June 2007] "CAPT Marion Frederic Ramirez de Arellano " in USNA graduates of Hispanic descent for the Class of 1879 – 1959. Association of Naval Service Officers. http://www.ansomil.org/home/USNAofficers.html#Arellano  [1 June 2007]
"Joseph P. Martinez, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient". http://www.hlswilliwaw.com/aleutians/Attu/html/attu-josephpmartinez.htm  [1 June 2007] "Hispanic Medal of Honor Recipients". BuffaloSoldier.net. http://www.buffalosoldier.net/Hispanic-AmericanMedalofHonorRecipients.htm  [2 June 2007] "Hero Street" http://www.neta.com/~1stbooks/hero.htm  [1 June 2007] Bellafaire, Judith. "Puerto Rican Servicewomen in Defense of the Nation". Women In Military Service For America Memorial Foundation. http://www.womensmemorial.org/Education/PRHistory.html  [2 June 2007] Bellafaire, Judith. "The Contributions of Hispanic Servicewomen". Women In Military Service For America Memorial Foundation. http://www.womensmemorial.org/Education/HisHistory.html  [2 June 2007] "Discrimination". History.com http://www.history.com/encyclopedia.do?articleId=207654  [2 June 2007] Kerschen, D'Arcy. "Despite war’s end and brother’s horror stories, man was intent on joining military" in U.S. Latinos and Latinas & WWII Oral History Project. http://utopia.utexas.edu/explore/latino/narratives/07Rios-Rodriguez_Raul.html  [3 June 2007] de la Cruz, Juan. "Man survived jungle fever, suicide attacks and kangaroos during service in Pacific" in U.S. Latinos and Latinas & WWII Oral History Project. http://utopia.utexas.edu/explore/latino/narratives/07Lopez-Santos_Felix.html  [2 June 2007] Mathieson, Catherine. "Cuban immigrant found acceptance in black Army battalion " in U.S. Latinos and Latinas & WWII Oral History Project. http://utopia.utexas.edu/explore/latino/narratives/07Gonzalez_Norberto.html  [2 June 2007] Green, Alyssa. " Alfonso Rodriguez figured that war was hell, but he never counted on having to fight bigotry as well as the enemy" in U.S. Latinos and Latinas & WWII Oral History Project. http://utopia.utexas.edu/explore/latino/narratives/08rodriguez_alfonso.html  [3 June 2007] Hannah. "Women fill the Gaps in the Workforce" in U.S. Latinos and Latinas & WWII Oral History Project. http://utopia.utexas.edu/explore/latino/narratives/02WOMEN_WORKERS.HTML  [3 June 2007] Zukowski, Anna. " Despite war’s bleakness, Isabel Solis Thomas remembers a time of maturing, camaraderie and loyalty to U.S. soldiers" in U.S. Latinos and Latinas & WWII Oral History Project. http://utopia.utexas.edu/explore/latino/narratives/08thomas_isabel.html  [3 June 2007] Rivera, Monica. "A Women ahead of her time" in U.S. Latinos and Latinas & WWII Oral History Project. http://utopia.utexas.edu/explore/latino/narratives/4ledesmajosephine.htm  [3 June 2007] Bellafaire, Judith A. (February 7, 2005) The Women's Army Corps: A Commemoration of World War II Service". U.S. Army Center of Military History. < http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/brochures/wac/wac.htm  [10 June 2007] Mariscal, Jorge. (February 14, 2007) "Some of Ken Burns' World War II Heroes are Missing in Action". Hispanic Link News Service. http://news.ncmonline.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=972862a2e41d
338ffbdd54f424bdc79e  [8 July 2007] Jensen, Elizabeth. (May 5, 2007) "PBS supports Ken Burns against Latinos’ complaints". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/05/arts/television/05pbs.html?ref=arts
[7 May 2007]. Also available from http://reclaimthemedia.org/media_justice/pbs_supports_ken_burns_against=5202  [8 July 2007] Chatila, Tania. (June 28, 2007) "Their turn to talk", San Gabriel Valley Tribune. http://www.defendthehonor.org/documents/news_releases/SGVTribune_6-28-07.htm   [8 July 2007]

I would like to thank my friend ERcheck for all the work that was put into this article with his terrific copyediting and revision.

Hey Mimi,  I am a retired Navy Chief, and thought you might put this in the newsletter.  Chief Campa is effectively the senior enlisted person in the Navy. As the Master Chief Petty Officer Of the Navy, he is the only person at the rank of E-10. He serves in the Pentagon as the representative of all enlisted personnel.

Master Chief Joe R. Campa Jr. was raised in Southern California and enlisted in the Navy on 2 June 1980. He completed Recruit Training and Hospital Corps "A" School in San Diego, Calif.

His duty assignments include USS Ogden (LPD 5) San Diego, Calif.; Naval Medical Center, San Diego, Calif.; Seventh Marine Regiment, First Marine Division, Camp Pendleton; Naval Hospital, Long Beach, Calif.; Third Force Service Support Group, Fleet Marine Force, Okinawa, Japan; Naval Hospital Bremerton, Wash.; First Force Service Support Group during the Persian Gulf War; USS Comstock (LSD 45) San Diego, Calif.; Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Ill.

Master Chief Campa was selected to the Command Master Chief program in May 
1999 and reported to USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) in Yokosuka, Japan as Command Master Chief in November 1999 and served until June 2002.

During his tour, the ship deployed to the North Arabian Sea in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. From June 2003 - February 2005 he served as the Command Master Chief for USS Frank Cable (AS 40) stationed in Guam. Prior to being selected to be MCPON he was the Command Master Chief at Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Command Master Chief Campa is a distinguished honor graduate of the U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy (class 88). He also graduated from the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy in May 2003 and completed the Command Sergeants Major course. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Excelsior College. In March 2006 he graduated from the Naval War College with a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies.

His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Army Commendation Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (six awards) and various unit and campaign awards.

Tim Crump
crumpta@msn.com
AMA#664988
MGNOC #262
98 Moto Guzzi V10 (1000) Centauro
69 Moto Guzzi 750 Ambassador

This article is in the archives of April 2003. I like to follow up on the writers or authors of these articles to see if they have written other articles on Latinos or would like to do an article that I would like to see in their magazines. http://www.afa.org/magazine/april2003/0403Quesada.asp

Extract: California is leading nation in diversity

Minorities make up 57% of the state's population and one-third of the nation's, data show. The growth is likely to affect public policy. By Teresa Watanabe  Times Staff Writer, May 17, 2007

Deepening the nation's diversity, the minority population of the United States reached 100.7 million in 2006, led by California as home to the largest numbers of the two fastest-growing racial groups, Latinos and Asians, the Census Bureau reported today.

Minorities now account for one-third of the nation's 300 million U.S. residents, with the largest share of them — 21% — living in California.

They now constitute 57% of the state's population, including 13.1 million Latinos, 5 million Asians, 2.7 million blacks and 689,000 Native Americans and Alaska Natives, according to population estimates taken between July 1, 2005, and July 1, 2006.

Non-Hispanic whites were still California's largest racial group, at 15.7 million, but represented a shrinking proportion of the state's population.

Nationally, the median age for Latinos was 27.4, compared with 30.1 for blacks, 33.5 for Asians and 40.5 for whites.  "The Census Bureau's estimates are based on population change from 2000 using annual data on births, deaths and international migration.

Nationally, Latinos accounted for almost half the nation's population growth of 2.9 million. Their numbers increased by 3.4% to 44.3 million in 2006, constituting 14.8% of the nation's population, with the largest numbers in California, Texas and Florida.

Minorities now account for one-third of the nation's 300 million residents and make up 57% of California's population.   Census Bureau population estimates as of July 1, 2006  (in millions)

* Non-Hispanic whites who indicated no other race
Note: Group totals do not add up to the population totals because members of minority races may be counted in more than one group.  Source: Census Bureau (A1) Minorities

California is home to 20.7 million members of racial and ethnic minority groups, 21% of the nation's total.  Rest of U.S. - 79%.  Source: Census Bureau estimates 2006

Sent by Juan Ramos, Ph.D. 

Inside the House: Hispanics Subgroups Differ by Age, July 2005 
http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/news/newsbyid.asp?id=24123&cat=Research%20News

Distinct age differences emerge among Hispanic subgroups. More than 20 percent of Cubans are 65 or older, while a scant 4 percent of Mexicans are in that age bracket.   On the other hand, 37 percent of Mexicans and 31 percent of Puerto Ricans are younger than 18, compared with just 20 percent of Cubans.

Similarly,Mexicans have a lower median age of 24.7, while Cubans have a median age of 42.7, much higher than the median age of 35.9 of the total U.S. population.
Source: HispanTelligence

U.S. Hispanic Media Market: Projections to 2010

Advertisers' efforts to reach Hispanic consumers are becoming more targeted, and language is a major factor, according to a new U.S. Hispanic Media Market: Projections to 2010 report issued by HispanTelligence®, the research division of Hispanic Business Inc.

•Advertisers spent more than $3.3 billion to market products to U.S. Hispanics in 2005, a 6.8 percent increase from 2004.
•While traditionally Spanish-language advertising was used to reach Hispanics, new data indicate second- and third-generation Hispanics tend to favor English.
•As a result, ad spending growth in some sectors of the U.S. Hispanic market is slowing as advertisers debate which Hispanic demographic to target.

"The shift in language preference is forcing advertisers to look beyond the monolinguistic and homogeneous stereotypes of Hispanic consumers," states Juan Solana, Chief Economist at HispanTelligence®. "Advertisers are becoming more aware of the complexity of this demographic and are refining their messaging to ensure relevance."

The U.S. Hispanic Media Market: Projections to 2010 report highlights the latest research on the top Hispanic DMAs, the top advertisers in the Hispanic market, purchasing power by language preference, and top Hispanic ad agencies, as well as trends in radio, television, print, and Internet advertising to reach Hispanics. The report can be purchased online at U.S. Hispanic 

Source: HispanTelligence, HispanicBusiness.com

NEW YORK (AP) - The charisma king of the 2008 presidential field. The world's best golfer. The captain of the New York Yankees. Besides superstardom, Barack Obama, Tiger Woods and Derek Jeter have another common bond: Each is the child of an interracial marriage.

For most of U.S. history, in most communities, such unions were taboo. It was only 40 years ago-on June 12, 1967-that the U.S. Supreme Court knocked down a Virginia statute barring whites from marrying nonwhites. The decision also overturned similar bans in 15 other states.

Since that landmark Loving v. Virginia ruling, the number of interracial marriages has soared; for example, black-white marriages increased from 65,000 in 1970 to 422,000 in 2005, according to Census Bureau figures. Factoring in all racial combinations, Stanford University sociologist Michael Rosenfeld calculates that more than 7 percent of America's 59 million married couples in 2005 were interracial, compared to less than 2 percent in 1970.

Coupled with a steady flow of immigrants from all parts of the world, the surge of interracial marriages and multiracial children is producing a 21st century America more diverse than ever, with the potential to become less stratified by race.

"The racial divide in the U.S. is a fundamental divide. ... but when you have the 'other' in your own family, it's hard to think of them as 'other' anymore," Rosenfeld said. "We see a blurring of the old lines, and that has to be a good thing, because the lines were artificial in the first place."

The boundaries were still distinct in 1967, a year when the Sidney Poitier film "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner"-a comedy built around parents' acceptance of an interracial couple-was considered groundbreaking. The Supreme Court ruled that Virginia could not criminalize the marriage that Richard Loving, a white, and his black wife, Mildred, entered into nine years earlier in Washington, D.C.

But what once seemed so radical to many Americans is now commonplace. Many prominent blacks-including Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, civil rights leader Julian Bond and former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun-have married whites. Well-known whites who have married blacks include former Defense Secretary William Cohen and actor Robert DeNiro.

Last year, the Salvation Army installed Israel Gaither as the first black leader of its U.S. operations. He and his wife, Eva, who is white, wed in 1967-the first interracial marriage between Salvation Army officers in the United States.

Opinion polls show overwhelming popular support, especially among younger people, for interracial marriage.  That's not to say acceptance has been universal. Interviews with interracial couples from around the country reveal varied challenges, and opposition has lingered in some quarters.

Bob Jones University in South Carolina only dropped its ban on interracial dating in 2000; a year later 40 percent of the voters objected when Alabama became the last state to remove a no-longer- enforceable ban on interracial marriages from its constitution.

Taunts and threats, including cross burnings, still occur sporadically. In Cleveland, two white men were sentenced to prison earlier this year for harassment of an interracial couple that included spreading liquid mercury around their house.

More often, though, the difficulties are more nuances, such as those faced by Kim and Al Stamps during 13 years as an interracial couple in Jackson, Miss.

Kim, a white woman raised on Cape Cod, met Al, who is black, in 1993 after she came to Jackson's Tougaloo College to study history. Together, they run Cool Al's-a popular hamburger restaurant-while raising a 12-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter in the state with the nation's lowest percentage (0.7) of multiracial residents.  

The children are home-schooled, Kim said, because Jackson's schools are largely divided along racial lines and might not be comfortable for biracial children. She said their family triggered a wave of "white flight" when they moved into a mostly white neighborhood four years ago-"People were saying to my kids, 'What are you doing here?'"

"Making friends here has been really, really tough," Kim said. "I'll go five years at a time with no white friends at all."  Yet some of the worst friction has been with her black in-laws. Kim said they accused her of scheming to take over the family business, and there's been virtually no contact for more than a year. "Everything was race," Kim said. "I was called 'the white devil.'"

Her own parents in Massachusetts have been supportive, Kim said, but she credited her mother with foresight. "She told me, 'Your life is going to be harder because of this road you've chosen-it's going to be harder for your kids,'" Kim said. "She was absolutely right." Al Stamps said he is less sensitive to disapproval than his wife, and tries to be philosophical.

"I'm always cordial," he said. "I'll wait to see how people react to us. If I'm not wanted, I'll move on." It's been easier, if not always smooth, for other couples.

Major Cox, a black Alabamian, and his white wife, Cincinnati-born Margaret Meier, have lived on the Cox family homestead in Smut Eye, Ala., for more than 20 years, building a large circle of black and white friends while encountering relatively few hassles.

"I don't feel it, I don't see it," said Cox, 66, when asked about racist hostility. "I live a wonderful life as a nonracial person." Meier says she occasionally detects some expressions of disapproval of their marriage, "but flagrant, in-your-face racism is pretty rare now."

Cox-an Army veteran and former private detective who now joins his wife in raising quarter horses-longs for a day when racial lines in America break down. 

"We are sitting on a powder keg of racism powder keg of racism that's institutionalized in our attitudes, our churches and our culture," he said, "that's going to destroy us if we don't undo it."

In many cases, interracial families embody a mix of nationalities as well as races. Michelle Cadeau, born in Sweden, and her husband, James, born in Haiti, are raising their two sons as Americans in racially diverse West Orange, N.J., while teaching them about all three cultures.

"I think the children of families like ours will be able to make a difference in the world, and do things we weren't able to do," Michelle Cadeau said. "It's really important to put all their cultures together, to be aware of their roots, so they grow up not just as Swedish or Haitian or American, but as global citizens."

Meanwhile, though, there are frustrations-such as school forms for 5-year-old Justin that provide no option for him to be identified as multiracial.

"I'm aware there are going to be challenges," Michelle said. "There's stuff that's been working for a very long time in this country that is not going to work anymore."

The boom in interracial marriages forced the federal government to change its procedures for the 2000 census, allowing Americans for the first time to identify themselves by more than one racial category.

About 6.8 million described themselves as multiracial-2.4 percent of the population-adding statistical fuel to the ongoing debate over what race really means.

Kerry Ann Rockquemore, professor of African-American studies at the University of Illinois-Chicago, is the daughter of a black father and white mother, and says she is asked almost daily how she identifies herself.

The surge in interracial marriage comes at "a very awkward moment" in America's long struggle with racism, she says.

"We all want deeply and sincerely to be beyond race, to live in a world where race doesn't matter, but we continue to see deep racial disparities," Rockquemore said. "For interracial families, the great challenge is when the kids are going to leave home and face a world that is still very racialized."

The stresses on interracial couples can take a toll. The National Center for Health Statistics says their chances of a breakup within 10 years are 41 percent, compared to 31 percent for a couple of the same race.

In some categories of interracial marriage, there are distinct gender-related trends. More than twice as many black men marry white women as vice versa, and about three-fourths of white-Asian marriages involve white men and Asian women.

C.N. Le, a Vietnamese-American who teaches sociology at the University of Massachusetts, says the pattern has created some friction in Asian- American communities.

"Some of the men view the women marrying whites as sellouts, and a lot of Asian women say, 'Well, we would want to date you more, but a lot of you are sexist or patriarchal,'" said Le, who attributes the friction in part to gender stereotypes of Asians that have been perpetuated by American films and TV shows.

Kelley Kenney, a professor at Kutztown University in Pennsylvania, is among those who have bucked the black-white gender trend. A black woman, she has been married since 1988 to a fellow academic of Irish- Italian descent, and they have jointly offered programs for the American Counseling Association about interracial couples.

Kenney recalled some tense moments in 1993 when, soon after they moved to Kutztown, a harasser shattered their car window and placed chocolate milk cartons on their lawn. "It was very powerful to see how the community rallied around us," she said.

Kenney is well aware that some blacks view interracial marriage as a potential threat to black identity, and she knows her two daughters, now 15 and 11, will face questions on how they identify themselves.

"For older folks in the black community," she said "it's a feeling of not wanting people to forget where they came from."

Yet some black intellectuals embrace the surge in interracial marriages and multiracial families; among them is Harvard law professor Randall Kennedy, who addressed the topic in his latest book, "Interracial Intimacies: Sex, Marriage, Identity, and Adoption."

"Malignant racial biases can and do reside in interracial liaisons," Kennedy wrote. "But against the tragic backdrop of American history, the flowering of multiracial intimacy is a profoundly moving and encouraging development."

John F. Kennedy defined courage as the "grace with which individuals endured their challenges, the risks to their careers, the unpopularity of their courses, the defamation of their characters, and sometimes but sadly only sometimes, the vindication of their reputations and their principles."1

Papa had courage by any definition. Given the climate of the times, it was life threatening for a Mexican American to be an activist. Yet, Dr. Hector persevered in the face of these adverse conditions. Papa knew that he was doing "the right thing" despite the risks and stigma. He focused on his plan to rectify injustice, to end discrimination, and to heal the sick. And he never stopped until four months before his death in 1996.

In the documentary "Justice for My People," Dr. Xico Garcia, my uncle observed, "Everyone was scared, but Hector was not. Hector was "muy macho"."2 Occasionally, Dr. Hector would comment to Willie Davila, "Willie, Somewhere out there is a bullet with my name on it." When I would drive my father around Corpus Christi, he would always tell me which routes to take. Sometimes this irritated me. Now I realize he was trying to foil any assassination attempt. My father had to live with the possibility of danger to his family members. My family received many threatening letters, phone calls and pranks because of Papa’s activism. To this day, I have no knowledge of how many death threats my father received in the course of his life. So, the possibility of his being assassinated was never far from my thoughts.

Dr. Hector’s courage arose from strong moral convictions about doing "the right thing." He said, "I have a mission to help my people." Thus, he took a stand and became an advocate for those issues. He met with the Texas Education Agency about the desegregation of schools, and equalization in funding for the poorer school districts in Texas and the high dropout rates for Mexican American school children. His letters "Challenging the Poll Tax," the "South Texas War Dead Have Returned" and the letter to Senator Lyndon Johnson about "Pvt. Felix Longoria." demonstrated his passion about his mission.

Another example was the eulogy he wrote for the funeral of Yolanda Cortinas, an American G.I. Forum Queen from Del Rio, Texas. Papa felt grief-stricken because she was on a trip to one of the American G.I. Forum conventions when she died in an automobile accident on August 28, 1968. Below is the English translation of an excerpt from his eulogy:

Ladies and Gentlemen, Our Queen has not died because she will always live in our thoughts and in our hearts. Queen Yolanda: Beautiful woman among the beauties: Empress among the queens, and sublime queen of our heart.3

I often wondered how my father knew what was "the right thing" to do? It seemed to me that his "knowing" came from "spiritual intelligence." He never expected a reward for his efforts. The successes encouraged him to continue his work.

My father turned to poetry as well as classical literature for insight. I never realized how much he enjoyed reading poetry until after his death. I was surprised when I found handwritten index cards with passages from his favorite poems in his desk drawer. One of his favorite passages came from Sir Walter Scott’s Lady of the Lake, Coronach:ii

         Like the dew on the mountain,  
             Like the foam on the river,

Like the bubble on the fountain,
Thou art gone, and forever.

During an address at the Founders’ Day banquet in 1982, Papa paraphrased Shakespeare:4

We are human.
If you make us sad, we cry.
If you prick us, we bleed.
And if you hurt us, we remember.

According to Papa, Faustina Perez Garcia his mother instilled a sense of community service and sound moral principles in her Garcia brood. My grandmother died before I was born. But I knew my grandmother through the lessons her children passed to us. One of my grandmother’s lessons was compassion for others and to help those less fortunate. My aunts would tell me my grandmother would not turn away any beggar despite the shortage of money in the Garcia household. My father would not turn a patient away despite the inability to pay for medical care. Thus, Faustina’s lesson was passed to the next generation.

The vindication of Papa’s reputation and principles came later in his life. In 1995, Daniel Ruiz gave the attendees at a conference a pink paper heart with the word "courage" written in the center. Dan Ruiz told me in his youth my father had saved him from being arrested during a civil rights demonstration. That interaction with Dr. Hector inspired Dan to pursue a life of public service. Dan died about five years ago and today is recognized for his contributions to the Hispanic community. I still have the paper heart and when I look at it I remember Dan and reflect on the different meanings of courage.

Many were motivated by Dr. Hector’s example not to expect financial return for their time and resources. Antonio Morales, a long time member of the American G.I. Forum, said of Dr. Hector, "People like myself have given so much time to become involved in social work because we were touched by Dr. Hector P. Garcia. We were told to be involved and to utilize our time and resources to help the community and without ever expecting anything in return."5

My father’s example inspired others. During the Pete Hernandez trial in 1951, Attorneys Gus Garcia, John Herrera and James DeAnda worked pro-bono.iii They commuted 200 miles each day from Edna to Houston, Texas because of the hostility and the threats they received from the community.6 The threats did not deter these courageous men from their course of action.

Towards the end of his life Dr. Hector said, "Many people ask me if I am a hero? I am not a hero. A hero is one who serves the public. I am merely a spokesperson for the people, the poor, the hungry, the needy, minorities, and the sick. But I am not a hero"7

My father was one of my role models and my heroes. Papa would always tell me to do what you felt was right, regardless of the consequences. To this day, I am gratified by the many stories from strangers about how my father influenced their lives or how he saved the life of a family member or how a relative is named "Hector" after my father. I know that his legacy will never fade. "His truth keeps marching on."iv

I learned about courage by observing his and Dr. Clotilde’s examples. I learned to persist and stand my ground under adverse situations. I also learned there are many types of courage and sometimes taking the high road earns risks and the displeasure of others. Ultimately, it is between you and spirit. And this I leave with you.

August 14, 1972, Dr. Hector P. Garcia and seventeen young Mexican-American students were arrested at a sit-in protesting the lack of cooperation of the Corpus Christi School Board in eradicating de facto segregation in the school district.  Dr. Garcia is led out of the Corpus Christi School Board by a police officer. CCISD Superintendent Dana Williams follows.   


Photos courtesy of:   Dr. Hector P. Garcia Papers, Special Collections & Archives, 
Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi, Bell Library

History of Civil Rights by Latinos 

http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/lhr/21.1/forum_wilson.html
http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/GG/fga51.html

Summary of numerous Latino desegregation court cases. A credit to our famous Latino lawyers and Latino organizations who fought for our civil rights. This is the legacy that they gave to us. It is up to us to leave a legacy for the next 50 years.
http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/lhr/21.1/forum_wilson.html

Rafael Ojeda 

An Evening with Dolores Huerta
 Watsonville, California 
August 30, 2007

Dolores Huerta is the co-founder of the United Farm Workers and a national civil rights leader that continues to champion the rights of farm workers, women, students and working families. She was awarded the prestigious Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award in 1999 by President Bill Clinton.

Nationally Renowned Civil Rights, Farmworker, Labor &Women's Rights Leader
Co-founder of the United Farm Workers of America (UFW) 
Dolores Huerta with Coretta Scott King in Salinas. Photo by PVCCDC member Bob Fitch © 1970.
Social hour begins at 6pm with appetizers &refreshments! Program starts at 7pm.

At the Green Valley Grill,  40 Penny Lane in Watsonville
Tickets: $35.00 per person

For more information, to buy tickets or to become a co-sponsor: Contact Luis Alejo at (831 726-6032 or laalejo@msn.com 

 http://www.cruzdemocrats.org/index.php?club=pvcc<http://www.cruzdemocrats.org
/index.php?club=pvcc 

Sent by Dorinda Moreno

Victory at Threemile Canyon Farms Dairy

First UFW contract in the state of Oregon. First time farm workers in this state will be insured family medical benefits, a pension plan, regular wage increases and better working conditions.

Threemile Canyon Farms Signs Union Agreement By Kristian Foden-Vencil
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/opb/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1114270

PORTLAND, OR 2007-07-16 Oregon's farm workers are celebrating a decisive victory this week, after one of the states' largest farms signed its first-ever union agreement. Kristian Foden-Vencil reports.

Three mile Canyon Farms in Boardman is big. It employs about 300 people and covers an area larger than Multnomah County.

For the last four years, management and union organizers have been battling over everything from wages to discrimination. But after a union vote, the company signed an agreement Sunday giving workers family medical insurance, a pension plan, two weeks of paid vacation and a raise.

United Farm Workers president, Arturo Rodriguez: "I mean this really is a historic moment for farm workers in this country and this state in particular."  Rodriguez hopes the agreement will become a model for other Oregon farms. Threemile Canyon management says the agreement will bring an end to all the worker disputes and allow them to focus on growing food.

Below please find video, photos, news clips and press statements from the press conference announcing this victory. To find the most recent information you can visit our campaign page at: www.ufw.org/threemile.   ufwofamer@aol.com United Farm Workers   Sent by Rafael Ojeda

UFW President Arturo Rodriguez thanks supporters for helping Threemile Canyon Farms dairy workers to win this historic contract

Video of the press conference announcing the historic Threemile contract signing in Oregon
can be viewed on website.

Below is interesting information on the history of four individuals deported due to their communist activity back in the 1930s through 1950s. In the early part of the 20th century many Latinos were involved with organizations whose main goal was helping the common man (worker) get fair compensation for their work. Mutualistas were groups that were formed to help workers, friends and relatives achieve some type of assistance or compensation in the form of better working conditions, wages, health and life insurances. These type of organizations often had links or came out of the philosophy that every man is equal and should be able to partake of what is available in society e.g. education, health, property (land), well being etc. Many of these groups came out of a popular ideology of the time called communism. Many Mexicans (Latinos) were drawn to this ideology and joined communistic groups because of the values the ideology presented. Many paid the price later on in life when communism became a four letter word and the immigrant became an unpopular element in society due to racist and economic developments in the nation.

The second article addresses similar stories of people being deported due to political action of beliefs. It is interesting to note that the McCarran-Walter Act passed in the 1950s wasn't abolished until 1994 and has resurfaced in the new terrorism laws after nine eleven. Millions of Americans lost their jobs or even had careers destroyed because of rumors that they were a "security risk" due to their political opinions. The bill passed even though president Truman vetoed it. His reasons for veto are as follows, "The basic error of this bill is that it moves in the direction of suppressing opinion and belief. This would be a very dangerous course to take, not because we have sympathy for Communist opinions, because any governmental stifling of the free expression of opinion is a long step toward totalitarianism. ...The course proposed by this bill would delight the Communists, for it would make a mockery of the Bill of Rights and of our claims to stand for freedom in the world."   

Check out the highlighted area in the first article that links one of the gentleman to the Mendez case.

Ricardo J. Valverde

Orange County seethes with immigration raids, demonized Mexicans and appeals for amnesty. 2007? No, 1951

Elias Espinoza and Justo Cruz.

Change the cars, replace the auto-body-repair shops with factories, and the Cypress Street Barrio in Orange would look almost exactly as it did in the 1950s. Most of the buildings in this neighborhood attest to the era when citrus was king in Southern California—quaint wooden houses, grocery stores painted with Chicano murals, and Orange County’s last operating citrus-packing house, the Villa Park Orchards Association—and the county welcomed cheap Mexican labor as long as it didn’t complain. Pioneer families (some dating back to the turn of the 20th Century) still live on Cypress Street; many current and former residents held a reunion picnic in June at Orange’s Hart Park to swap stories and pictures.

Only one building looks out of place in this picturesque barrio: a two-story apartment complex at 495 N. Cypress St. It’s a tan, stuccoed eyesore, with a spartan, Brutalist aesthetic that dates it to the 1970s. The building is an ugly anomaly, but an apt one. This lot is where one of the Santa Ana Four met his fate.

By the summer of 1951, Justo Cruz, Augustin Esparza, Elias Espinoza and Andres Gonzales, all born in Mexico, had lived in Orange County for decades. All were in their late 50s and had American-born children. Cruz and Espinoza were respected activists in Orange County’s Latino community, and Espinoza was an Army veteran who tended to a family of eight in a large house at 495 N. Cypress St.

On the morning of Oct. 17, 1951, officers from the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) swept across Orange County’s barrios. They detained Cruz, Esparza and Espinoza, bringing them to the INS offices in Los Angeles to ask them answer the most devastating question of the day: "Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?"

And yes, in one way or another, all participated in Communist Party activities during the 1930s. But that was the past; now, in their late 50s, the men just wanted to age in peace.

That didn’t matter to the feds, who shipped them—along with Gonzales, who had been caught a week earlier—to San Pedro’s notorious Terminal Island, where other immigrants suspected of subversive activities awaited deportation.

In the next couple of years, the men who became known as the Santa Ana Four were symbols of the crackdown on civil liberties that characterized the home front of the Cold War. Thousands of people across the country donated money and signed petitions trying to secure their release. But the government wouldn’t hear it—within a year of arresting the Santa Ana Four, they ordered the men deported to Mexico with no chance of returning.

And just like that, the Santa Ana Four disappeared. Their struggle faded from the public memory and never quite notched a place in the Orange County history books. The government moved on to nab thousands more Mexicans with their Operation Wetback, and individual stories were now too numerous to publicize.

Now, the country is in a new era of anti-immigrant sentiment, this one cloaked in fear of terrorism and reconquista, rather than communism. Immigration raids, unseen for a generation, are now commonplace. Last month, immigration officersarrested 175 illegal immigrants—some with criminal records, many without—across Orange County in just one day and promised more. The week after the migra mission, the Senate allowed a proposed amnesty bill to die.

The story of the Santa Ana Four is proof that an immigrant can do everything right in this county—migrate legally, work hard and raise a family—and still get deported.

Last week, Sylvia Mendez and Sandra Robbie rode their orange Volkswagen bus in Huntington Beach’s Fourth of July parade. The two ladies have spent the past couple of months crisscrossing the United States in the van, spreading the gospel of Mendez v. Westminster, of which Sylvia was a plaintiff.

But parade organizers rejected their application. They initially told Mendez and Robbie they "didn’t have enough entertainment value." After the two raised a well-deserved stink in the local media, an organizer confessed to Orange County Register columnist Yvette Cabrera "nobody had heard of this issue. . . . The history of this was totally unknown to the committee."

Thus goes Orange County’s Latino history. Latinos have always played a major role in the Orange County story, but many of their contributions get ignored. The Great Flood of 1938, the aforementioned 1936 Citrus War, Mendez v. Westminster,and the Santa Ana Four. There are only parenthetical mentions of the Santa Ana Four in history books, daily newspaper clippings of the time and oral histories. Do a Google search on the Four, and you’ll find "McCarthyism, Mexican Americans, and the Los Angeles Committee for Protection of the Foreign Born, 1950-1954," an article by Garcilazo in the 2001 issue of the academic journal Western Historical Quarterly—but little else. Not even the Orange County Mexican American Historical Society, the county’s preeminent archives on local Latino history, had heard of the case when contacted for this story.

What’s even more telling about the mysteries of OC’s Latino past is that many of the people with firsthand knowledge of the Santa Ana Four either wouldn’t speak to the Weekly or had conflicting memories of the events.

Augie Morales remembers the Espinozas well. Now 71 years old and living in San Diego County, Morales graduated from Orange High School in 1954 and was good friends with Elias Espinoza’s son Carlos Marx. "When they deported [Elias], the family was flabbergasted," he says. "They didn’t know which way to go. It came as a shock to all of us."

Morales says the Espinozas quickly became the subject of ridicule in the tight-knit Cypress Street barrio because of Elias’ Communist affiliation. "They disappeared for a long time," he says. "I’ll tell you the truth: I don’t think anyone knew where they went. I don’t know whether they went to Mexico, or they were here in Southern California. I don’t think anyone does."

A couple of years ago, Morales attended a high school reunion for his graduating class. "They called out all of us, and we stood up to be recognized. Then they mentioned Carlos Espinoza. I didn’t recognize him, but I remembered the name. We hadn’t spoken since the 1950s. I asked him, ‘You know who I am?’ ‘No, I don’t know who you are,’ he said. I told him who I was. He started laughing. We sat down to talk." Morales says Espinoza claimed he was a professor at Cal State Fullerton, but university archives don’t show him as having taught there.

"He and I were pretty good buddies," Morales says. "But he never came back to the reunions, and I never spoke to him again."

Philip Colin also attended school with some of the Espinozas. After Elias’ deportation, Colin says, Consuelo moved her children to another house in Orange and worked to support them. "She was a friendly woman, but she always seemed tired," Colin says. "The children graduated from college and just spread out. You heard about them from time to time, but not that much."

Philip’s brother Bob has stronger memories of the Espinozas; his brother-in-law married Henna, Elias’ oldest daughter. Bob, who still lives in Orange County, doesn’t recall Henna or any of her brothers ever discussing their father’s deportation. "He ended up moving to Tijuana and died just a couple of years ago," he says. "I never heard the kids really talk about him. They were all pretty smart. One became a minister, a couple of others became correctional officers; I think [Carlos] is a musician in Corona."

Henna Espinoza now lives in Connecticut; she refused to comment for this story.

Ladislao Cruz, Justo’s son, died in 2000 and left two sons, Randolph and Justus. Justus now lives in Pflugersville, Texas, and did not return repeated calls from the Weekly; Randolph’s whereabouts are unknown.

As for Esparza and Gonzales, no one interviewed for this story had heard of the two, nor are there any death certificates on file in the Orange County Record/Clerk’s office.

GARELLANO@OCWEEKLY.COM

CBS-owned station, WBBM-Channel 2, recently removed Antonio Mora, the market’s first and only Hispanic news anchor, from its newscast at 10 p.m. and replaced him with Rob Johnson.

Despite the growing presence and influence by Latinos in the Chicago market, our community continues to receive poor coverage on the network news. A 2006 National Association of Hispanic Journalists report, "Network Brownout Report," believes ‘the lack of Latino journalists and managers working at the networks is the primary reason for dismal coverage of the Latino community.’

WBBM-Channel 2’s president and general manager, Joe Ahern, and Carol Fowler, its news director, plan to contribute to this trend by cutting us (Latinos) off their 10 p.m. newscast.

We are asking for your support in demanding that Channel 2 reverses their decision and deliver the Hispanic community of Chicago with the representation and coverage we deserve.  We need your letters addressed to: Carol Fowler, News Director

Joe Ahern, President and General Manager
CBS Chicago
630 N McClurg Ct CBS
Chicago, Illinois 60611

FREE Ignacio RAMOS and Jose Alonso COMPEAN

NOW IS THE TIME TO PREPARE  CITY & COUNTY PROCLAMATIONS: 

Remember to ask your towns, cities, counties and State governments to give you a "Proclamation for our Hispanic Heritage Month" SEP 15 TO OCT 15 and have a Latino Veterans org. or other Latino org to accept the Proclamations. They will more than likely ask you for a sample used last years from the "White House Hispanic Proclamation" and give to them at least a month in advance.  Rafael Ojeda

This project seeks to increase public awareness about the origins and development of the Hispanic Civil Rights movement from the mid 1940’s until the mid 1960’s. In addition, this project will focus on some leaders of the movement; Dr. Hector P. Garcia, Dr. George I. Sanchez and Attorney Gustavo Garcia, examine the tactics, strategies, and leadership styles and the critical issues of each decade such as inaccessibility to health care, infant mortality, diarrhea, and discrimination. It will include three components.

Outreach to a targeted audience to include school children, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Veterans Groups, Hispanic activist groups; Develop a broad range of educational materials for various groups; Research. The grant would facilitate the creation the educational materials such as the display, PowerPoint presentation, research and development of an outreach program. The project is working in cooperation with the University of Texas A&M, the American G.I. Forum Archives, and a variety of other public and private sector organizations.

Problem: This outreach program has the unique historical mission to promote and preserve the legacy of the Hispanic Civil Rights movement. The Hispanic population is the fastest growing minority group in the United States. Yet few Hispanics know the history or have access to materials about the Hispanic Civil Rights movement. Furthermore, this historical data is absent in public school educational curriculum. Few Hispanics under the age of 30 recognize the names of the leaders of the movement, men such as Dr. Hector P. Garcia, Dr. George I. Sanchez, and Attorney Gustavo Garcia.

Need: Knowledge about the life experiences of Hispanic parents and grandparents will pass with these generations if not documented orally or in writing. If our youth is not made aware of the difficulties and challenges faced by the pioneers of the civil rights movement and their predecessors, this piece of history will be lost forever. This project seeks to educate by bringing awareness of the past, foster cultural pride and an understanding of the Hispanic Civil rights movement. The project will bring history to life by using copies of original documents, photographs from the Dr. Hector P. Garcia collection at Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi, TX.

This project will Make an important contribution to the understanding of the intellectual development and leadership and philosophy of the movement. Increase knowledge of the origins and development of the Civil Rights Movement, its distinctive tactics, strategies, ideologies and leadership styles. Highlight important historical issues. Create a broad range of educational materials for a variety of groups.

Contact: Wanda Daisy Garcia, daughter of Dr. Hector P. Garcia


Documentary: Justice for my People, The Hector P. Garcia Story was produced by KEDT, Corpus Christi, Texas.  Excellent, 90-minute factual chronology of Dr. Garcia's dedication in championing the rights of Mexican Americas.  Jeff Felts producer. Information go to www.JusticeformyPeople.org

I'm thinking of establishing a team that would produce exhibits and videos for museums on various aspects of Mexican History that Mexican Americans would most likely want to know about. The museums would not only schedule the exhibits but would stock our books in their gift shops for a period before, during and after the time during which the exhibits are in place. Not only that, but we will be forming a group of authors with similar themes in this area so that we could display each others' books whenever we sign up for a table at a book fair. We'll have portable posters and other graphics designed to include all of the authors involved.

Currently, I have my "flagship" book on the market in English. It's entitled Cinco de Mayo: What is Everybody Celebrating? It's the first college-level book about this topic in more than 60 years, and is receiving some very nice endorsements and reviews from universities and museums. It attained #5 on the Austin best-seller list during the week which involved May 5 this year. It has been entirely translated into Spanish by my nephew, who is a published author in Mexico. A team of Spanish teachers will be working with us in July to spin off a "student" edition for those who are taking Spanish courses in the U.S., while the Spanish manuscript will also be fine-tuned for sale in the Mexican market and for native Spanish speakers. That will be followed in 2009-2010 by a novel in both languages, based on the flagship nonfiction book. The flagship book is attracting buyers who are mostly over 40, and we are hoping that the novel will attract the post-high-school but under 40 group.

This is all just in the "talking" stage right now, but we'd like to have your input as we proceed.

Thanks! Don Miles

Documentary on Viet Nam produced by Latino film producer, Charley Trujillo.   We can add it to our list to help us produce and document our Latino contributions and accomplishments. Trujillo has his Bios and teaching events at the University.  http://www.chusmahouse.com/titles.htm
Do a google search for information on Charley.
Sent by Rafael Ojeda

Book: 500 Years of Chicana Women's History
Bilingual Edition
Edited by Elizabeth (Betita) Martínez

The history of Mexican Americans spans more than five centuries and varies from region to region across the United States. Yet most of our history books devote at most a chapter to Chicano history, with even less attention to the story of Chicanas.

500 Years of Chicana Women's History offers a powerful antidote to this omission with a vivid, pictorial account of struggle and survival, resilience and achievement, discrimination and identity. The bilingual text, along with hundreds of photos and other images, takes readers from female-centered stories of pre-Columbian
Mexico to profiles of contemporary social justice activists, labor leaders, youth organizers, artists, and environmentalists, among others. With a distinguished, seventeen-member advisory board, the book presents a remarkable combination of scholarship and youthful appeal.

In the section on jobs held by Mexicanas under U.S. rule in the 1800s, readers find they range from a flamboyant saloon owner in Santa Fe to a respected curandera near San Diego. Also covered are the "repatriation campaigns" of the Midwest during the Depression that deported both adults and children, 75 percent of whom were U.S.-born and knew nothing of Mexico. Other stories include those of the garment, laundry, and cannery worker struggles, told from the perspective of Chicanas on the ground. >From the women who fought and died in the Mexican Revolution to those marching with their young children today for immigrant rights, every story draws inspiration. Like the editor's previous book, 500 Years of Chicano History (still in print after 30 years), this thoroughly enriching view of Chicana women's history promises to become a classic.

Elizabeth (Betita) Martínez is a widely known Chicana writer, activist, and lecturer. In 2005, she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, one of a thousand women from 150 countries. Now director of the Institute for Multiracial Justice in San Franciso, she has published six books, most recently De Colores Means All of Us: Latina Views for a Multi-Colored Century.

320 PAGES . 600 B&W ILLUSTRATIONS . PAPER $23.95 . 978-0-8135-4224- NACCS SPECIAL! 20% off!  Check payable to Longleaf Services, Inc.
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY PRESS
Mail: Longleaf Services, Inc., PO Box 8895, Chapel Hill, NC 27515-8895
Phone: 800-848-6224 .http://www. rutgerspress.rutgers.edu  . Fax: 800-272-6817
To receive notification of similar titles and discounts, subscribe to RU Reading? at http://rutgerspress.rutgers.edu/subscribe.html 

Sent by Dorinda Moreno

Finding and Documenting the Military Service of Loved Ones

Most of the current searches that I have been doing is on our WWII veterans for the upcoming airing of PBS "The War" on September 23. Here are some of the web site that have numerous links to other resources on searching for names and records of veterans and medal awarded to them. If you can get copies of the individual that you are trying to find it is better to have a copy of their DD form 214 (Military discharge paper, which list all the awards), or when you do what I call a shot-gun search, just enter their names. If too many same names come up try just entering the State, bounty or cities that they enlisted at plus the dates of services IE 1940-1946 or 1950-1953. It a lot easier and accurate to search by name Serial Number, which were used up until 1959. Now we use Social Security numbers of which you haveto be careful for financial securities. I have included also the web site for Medal Awards, many time you may only have the actual medals and you can compare with the photos of the medal and click the name of the medal for more info. Some of the other sites that I have listed below are for registering veterans names and awards. Some required special forms online other you submit and once they verify the name you can edit or enter photos or documents. As you learn how to use these web sites please share with your friends and families or veterans to encourage others to do the same. Thank you.

1. http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Awards/Ribbons/OrdersofPrecedence.htm
2. http://aad.archives.gov/aad/series-list-jsp?cat=WR26 (only for WWII)
3. http://www.archives,gov/st-louis/military-personel/other-helpful-sities.html
4. http://www.archives.gov/research/military

5. Judy Baca Romero from "Hispanic America USA" will include new Purple Heart Medal recipients inher web site, which other web sites copy from hers IE: Wikipedia and others. You can email info to her at: 1stbooks@neta.com . 

We need more Latinos/as Historians, researchers and film producers.  if you notice many of these web sites have all the other minorities, but not Hispanos/Latinos. We have to submit our own data to these web sites so that our children and researchers can find our contributions and accomplishments. I will keep on preaching this theme until the day I die. God Bless.  Rafael Ojeda 

A great recourse for Chicanos and Latino's in Vietnam is author Charley Trujillo from San Jose, CA. He wrote many books on the subject and may be able assist in identifying purple Heart recipients.....Felix Galaviz

According to the new Purple Heart Hall of Honor museum in NY State Park, there are over 800,000 recipients, most of the lists that I have seen have less than a 1000 names. We have a long ways to go to get all of them registered. That is why is so important for recipients and families members to register them with the these different web sites that I have been passing out. Along with the WA DC National Library of Congress and PBS local stations that will be accepting oral interviews and video of WWII veterans on September 23 for "The War" documentary. Also Judy Baca Romero, producer of her on web site at "Hispanic America USA" and her email at: 1stbooks@neta.com will be glad to add any Purple Heart Medal recipient to her list.

Apparently the State of NY Park will be the National Archives for collecting the names of the recipients of the Purple Heart Medal. This web site is soliciting the input of the names of recipients of this Medal.  http://www.amervets.com/phmedl.htm
http://nysparks.state.ny.us/news/press/view.asp?pressID=506

Information:
This web site has  Purple Heart Recipients. You can click the Spanish surname to see
the bio on the Latino recipients. 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Recipients_of_the_Purple_Heart_medal http://www.military.com/MilitaryReport/0,12914,86437,00.html

Interesting bit of history is why we cannot search by race: Mexicans were classified as "the other whites" as per Texas segregation school Court cases.
http://aad.archives.gov/aad/series-list.jsp?cat=WR26 

Sent by Rafael Ojeda
253-576-9547 Tacoma, WA

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

PREPARING FOR HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

www.SomosPrimos.com/heritage.htm

This DVD prepared by Disneyland artist Eddie Martinez is solid history presented in a very visual way with maps and figures accurate in every detail.  
Perfect for classroom and poster uses.  
Available for PC or MAC at:
www.eddiemartinezart.com/hispanics.html  
e.martinez@animas.net

Hispanic America, 13 minutes, color vid, CBS - TV
Hispanics, the nation's fastest growing minority, are still feeling stereotypes and prejudice, but they are sharing information on their special problems and needs through cable TV networks and newspapers, joining together to gain political power. Although the demographics quoted in this program are outdated, it is still a good introduction for use in classrooms from junior high school on up, as well as with adult groups.

Power, Politics and Latinos, 60 minutes, color video, PBS Video, 1992 
This documentary examines the history and impact of Latino voting patterns in the United States, exploring the perceptions and voting practices of two Southern California Latino families -- one Republican and the other Democrat. By examining the different generations of each family, the program probes their often contradictory points of view and demonstrates that neither the Democratic nor the Republican party has a lock on the Latino vote. Produced by the National Latino Communications Center, KCET Los Angeles, and Galan Productions.

Viva La Causa - 500 Years of Chicano History, 60 minutes total - 2 color videos
Part One - pre-Colombian times to World War II;
Part Two - WWII to the present. Accompanied by a curriculum guide and a photo book.

Southwest Organizing Project, 1995
These videos are part of the Chicano History Teaching Kit which consists of the videos, as well as "A Curriculum Guide for Elementary and Secondary School Teachers" and the paperback book "500 Years of Chicano History in pictures". The two part video offers a compelling introduction to the history of Mexican American people. Based on the accompanying book, the video is suitable for grades 5-12 and up, as well as community gatherings. Archival footage, narrators, and lively music ranging from corridos to rap have been added to the photos. Part One of the videos depicts the Mexican American people from their origins in Europe's invasion of the continent up to World War II. Part Two takes us from the war, through the Chicano Movement years, to the present. This is a unique tool to help fill a major gap in knowledge about the people who make up the United States.

RESOURCES: 

Hispanic Heritage Month gives us the opportunity of celebrating our Latino heritage in a very public way. Below is information and resources that will help businesses, schools, public agencies, and individuals to promote a sense of respect for our Hispanic heritage.   A gift to your community community would be to request a proclamation from your City or County Boards.  Be sure and get a copy of the signed document to your local newspaper.  

The Heritage website,  www.SomosPrimos.com/heritage.htm  was developed to help classroom teachers and youth leaders celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.   

DID YOU KNOW? SABIA USTED QUE? 
Las Americas... Then and Now 

Learn and discover how Hispanic/Latino achievements and accomplishments have contributed in making America great! LaRed Latina wishes to congratulate Helen Rael Giddens for compiling, researching and preparing this interesting and compelling historical manuscript. 

DID YOU KNOW ....

......that when the Spaniards encountered the Americas, they did not realize that what they had actually found was another old world which was just as diverse and rich in its own culture a s their own. They were not prepared for the magnificence of its structures nor the sophistication of its people. They were astounded by the splendor and organization of their marketplaces and in the harmony and order in which the people worked and lived. 

Unfortunately and tragically, the Spaniards considered the indigenous people as being less than human and therefore, discounted the richness of their culture. So began the pillaging, destruction and decimation of the people by war, by diseases, and by the forcible removal of ten million people from their African home to serve as plantation slaves in the Americas. 

We are the children of the conquest, torn between pride in our Spanish heritage and outrage at the treatment of our indigenous ancestors. We are the inheritors, not only of the pain and betrayal, but also of the achievements which changed the ethnic composition, diets, and health of the world forever. 

DID YOU KNOW ....

......that tomatoes, potatoes, beans, corn, peppers (chili and bell), squash, chocolate, vanilla, tobacco, pumpkin, cassaba root, avocado, peanuts, pecans, cashews, pineapples, blueberries, sunflowers, petunias, black-eyed susans, dahlias, marigold s, poinsettias, quinine, turkeys, and wild rice are part of the exchange with the old world? 

......that the old world's contribution to the Americas was the horse, cattle, pig, sheep, chicken, honeybee, wheat, Asian rice, barley, oats, soy, sugar cane, onion, lettuce, okra, peach, and pear, watermelon, citrus fruit, banana, lilac, daffodil , tulip, daisy, dandelion, and crabgrass? 

......that the Spanish and Portuguese explorers were people of mixed ethnicities. When they first encountered the Americas, they came without women, and due to this marriage of blood and cultures, the new mestizo people, who compose most of today's Latino population, were created. 

......that in the first fifty years of the conquest, Royal customs agents in Seville, Spain's only official port of entry from the Americas, recorded twenty thousand tons of silver entering at this time.($4 billion in today's market)? 

......that between 1500 and 1650, the gold from the Americas added at least 180-200 tons to the European treasure ($2.8 billion)? The churches of Europe still moan under the weight of the gold and silver taken from the Americas. 

......that the Aztec understanding of diseases and its treatment became the basis for modern medicine and pharmacology? Their pharmacists (papiani) concocted emetics, purges, febrifuges, and skin ointments (petroleum jelly), as well as underarm deodorants, toothpaste, and breath fresheners. 

......that the first university in North America was the Real y Pontifica Universidad de Mexico, founded in 1551? 

......that the first Zoo in North America was commissioned by Aztec Emporer Moctezuma II in 1506? 

......that the first newspaper in North America was "La Gaceta de Mexico" printed in 1667. 

......that the Aztecs discovered rubber, and it was Silvestre Diaz de la Vega who later discovered the method by which rubberized cloth was made perfectly impermeable? He ranks among the best known contributors to the rubber industry. 

......that it was not until 1528 that the expeditionary Cabeza de Vaca crossed the Aztlan territory for the first time? It took an entire century for the Spaniards to establish its first permanent colony in Texas. 

DID YOU KNOW ....

......that Don Juan de Oñate and a group of explorers celebrated the first Thanksgiving near present-day El Paso, Texas, 23 years prior to the arrival of the Pilgrims? 

......that Juan de Oñate, the first governor of New Mexico, was born in Zacatecas, Mexico? He married the great granddaughter of Hernan Cortes , the Spanish conquerer of Nueva Espana, and Isabel Moctezuma , the daughter of the Aztec Emporer Moctezuma II. Oñate's wife's name was Isabel de Tolosa Cortes Moctezuma. 

......that the first theatrical play given in the United States was performed by the Spanish at San Juan de los Caballeros, New Mexico, in 1598 . Captain Marcos Farfan de los Godos, a member of the Oñate expedition, wrote, p roduced and directed the play? 

......that the language of the Spanish-speaking people of New Mexico is a mixture of Spanish, Portuguese, and Nahuatl? Many are products of Portuguese fathers and Native American mothers. This is evident in the muster rolls of the Spanish entradas in New Mexico, and Colorado. 

......that two hundred years before the birth of George Washington, the Spanish, along with the people from the Americas, had founded schools, missions, towns, and new and exotic lands which they named Nuevo Mexico, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, California, etc.? 

......that the Spanish were the first European colonizing power to issue a set of laws specifically designed to protect the rights of subject Indian peoples in the Western Hemisphere? 

DID YOU KNOW ....

......that the roots of Spanish ranching were planted in the Americas on January 2, 1494, when Columbus, on his second voyage, unloaded twenty four stallions, ten mares, and and unknown number of cattle off the northern coast of Hispaniola, near present day Cape Haiten, Haiti? 

......that the vaqueros or cowboys of the 1750's were mestizos (a mixture of Native Americans, Spaniards, and Portuguese.) 

......that before the English colony was established in North America, a single rancher in the province of Jalisco was branding more than 30,000 calves a year? 

......that today, the American ranch is a near perfect replica of the Iberian model, from its architecture, horses and cattle right down to the corrals, the saddles, and lingo (la reata became lariat, rancho became ranch, and vaquero became buckaroo. Rodeo means cattle roundup in Spanish.) 

......that in South Texas today, Mexican-Americans (Chicanos) continue to own much of the land along the Rio Grande? The Spanish language continues to be an important means of communication as most Anglos working on ranches, including the ranch fore man and owners, speak Spanish with their vaqueros. 

......that it was the Spanish-speaking world (governments of Mexico, Spain, and Cuba) who helped free the united Colonies from the British Crown? The American revolution was financed from funds collected from people living in the present states of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. It took thousands of Spanish troops to help win the War of Independence. 

DID YOU KNOW ....

......that the English language has adopted many Spanish words which are used side by side in everyday conversation such as: adios, adobe, amigo, burro, cafeteria, cantina, canyon, casa, chili, cigar, coca cola, contra, coyote, gringo, desperado, guerilla, hacienda, hombre, junta, lasso, loco, macho, maize, marijuana, mesquite, padre, peon, pinto, plaza, poncho, rancho, rio, rodeo, savvy, sombrero, tomato, tonto, vista, villas, and Yanqui? 

There's a Mexican dicho (saying) that goes, "Ay Jalisco, no te rajes!" which basically means "Don't give up, keep on going!" This along with our wealth of Aztec Wisdom and practical ingenuity, has become the energy behind the Latino Population. 

......that the symbol "$" which we use to refer to the U.S. dollar was taken directly from the pillars of the Spanish imperial coat of arms with the motto "PLUS ULTRA?" In 1775, the Continental Congress, in a proposal by Thomas Jefferson, adopted the "Spanish Dollar" as the basic monetary unit. 

......that the city of Galveston, Texas is named after Bernardo de Galvez, the Spanish governor of Louisiana, who commanded Spanish troops during and in support of the American Revolution? 

......that paraffin which is distilled from petroleum was discovered in Mexico? Paraffin is used today for the manufacturing of candles, sealing preserving jars, waterproofing paper, (milk cartons and frozen food containers), cosmetics (lip sticks and ointments), and for electrical insulation. 

......that the Mexican Air Force under the command of Pancho Villa, were the first to use the air for the destruction of enemy sites? Up to this time, the United States Air Force was using the air strictly for reconnaissance. 

......that in 1773, Agustin de Rotea, a Mexican, invented a calculus of probability which was used to establish the Mexican Lottery. It was later adopted by all the Raffles/Lotteries in the world. 

......that Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders began as the Otero Guards, men who guarded Governor Otero from New Mexico? 

......that Squadron Doscientos Uno (201), Mexican Pilots, fought for the United States in World War II out of the Philippines in 1944-45? 

......that Chicanos and Latinos have been decorated more and have a longer contributory military record than any ethnic or racial group in the United States? 

......that Pedro Sanchez, engineer and director for the Pan American Geography and History Institute of Mexico, presented a system by which one can detect seism and erosions of the earth. 

......that Guillermo Camarena, a Mexican, invented color television? 

......that Pedro Paulet, a Peruvian, was the inventor of the first liquid propellant rocket? And Juan de la Cierva, a Spaniard, invented the Helicopter? 

......that Dr. Sergio Gutierrez, a Mexican, invented contact lenses for newborns to prevent amblyopic (lazy eye)? The AMA did not approve the invention for another 10 years. 

......that Brigadier General Roberto Cardenas, a Mexican, was the test pilot for Northrop who flew the first transcontinental jet? He was also the bomber pilot who dropped Chuck Yeager's plane when Yeager broke the sound barrier. 

DID YOU KNOW ....

......that as the people of Mexico crossed the new borders into the United States, they felt an innate need to continue their cultural identity? It was during the Chicano Movement of the 1960's that the people of Mexican descent recreated the myth for their homeland called AZTLAN. 

AZTLAN now represents the souls of the descendents of Mexico in the United States. As the mythical meaning of word/idea/concept evolves, and the determination to preserve one's cultural identity intensifies, its people will enter into a new consciousness. This will be the commitment to reach further into our human potential and embrace the legacy of AZTLAN as our homeland without boundaries. 

NOW YOU KNOW 

That despite the gifts of Law, Religion, Architecture, Art, Music, and Theatre, Education, Mathematics, and Science, Agriculture, and Technology, Cuisine and Exploration which the children of the conquest have graciously shared with the world, myths and faulty stereotypes continue to exist. 

LATINO "NOBEL PRIZE" LAUREATES:
· Chemistry: 1995 Professor Mario Molina, Mexican -- (Bio) 
· Physics: 1968 Dr. Luis W. Alvarez , Spanish-American 
· Medicine: 1958 Dr. Severo Ochoa, Spanish-American 

· Literature: 1990 Octavio Paz , Mexican 
· 1989 Camilo Jose Cela, Spanish 
· 1982 Gabriel Garcia Marquez , Colombian-Mexican Resident 
· 1977 Vicente Aleixandre, Spanish 
· 1971 Pablo Neruda , Chilean 
· 1969 Miguel Angel Asturias, Guatemalan 
· 1956 Juan Ramon Jimenez, Spanish-Puerto Rican Resident 
· 1945 Gabriela Mistral, Chilean 
· 1922 Jaciento Benavente, Spanish 

· Peace: 1992 Rigoberta Menchu , Guatemalan 
· 1987 Oscar Arias Sanchez, Costa Rican 
· 1982 Alfonso Garcia Robles, Mexican 
· 1980 Adolpho Perez Esquivel, Argentine 
· 1936 Carlos de Saavadera Lamas, Argentine 

For five centuries, foreign observers have commented on the mystique of the new world and all Latin American countries. Mexico is most often singled out as the epitome of the wondrously rich. Pablo Neruda, the Chilean Nobel Laureate, referred to Mexico as "The last magical country," stating that "Every kind of magic is always appearing and reappearing in Mexico." 

DID YOU KNOW ....

Perhaps the mystique of the Americas stems from vast spiritual and holistic knowledge, experience, and respect for family, land, and environment that our indigenous people still revere. Maybe this is the emotional volcano that is fueling the quest for spiritual awareness that some people are seeking. We must never forget that humans are part of the real world. Much has already been lost through the forced conformity of the upper classes. We still do not understand the complex mathematical systems of the Mayas and the sophisticated geometric science of the Aztecs. We must ensure that unique heritages, including languages, and art forms, be part of all conservation efforts. 

By embracing our indigenous people along with their mysterious past and combining this with present technology, we may be able to understand better our natural resources, conservation, and agricultural systems. Such a combination can be a powerful force for the future of the planet. 

Today........ after knowing all these things we should concentrate on our most valuable resource: the children. We must educate embrace, nurture, protect, respect, and educate them, for it is they who will reap the rewards of our efforts. 

Porque............ SABIA USTED QUE, en realidad, los ninos son los que heredan el mundo? 

Copyright © 1995-96 "LARED LATINA" All Rights Reserved
http://www.lared-latina.com/sabe.html
http://www.lared-latina.com  LaRed Latina of the Intermountain Southwest. 

• The Colossuses from Tierra del Fuego - Argentina/Chile
•The Myth of the Volcanoes - Mexico
•The Guardians of the Treasure - Cuba
•Las Ciguapas - Dominican Republic
•La Llorona - Various
And they find out the significance of holidays such as:
•The Day of the Dead - Mexico
•The Feast of the Sun - Peru
•The Festival of the Flowers - Colombia
•The Feast of Saint James The Apostle - Puerto Rico

[[Editor:  I have not seen this DVD.  Comments would be appreciated.]]

Rafael Ojeda

Compiled by Dr. M.J. Garcia for this information. http://utopia.utexas.edu/explore/latino 

http://journalism.utexas.edu/faculty/rivasrodriguezbio.html  I hope to eventually put together an annotated bibliography of multiple web sites related to Mexican Americans in WWII. If you, or others you know, can recommend additional web sites, I would welcome getting such information. For example, I want to identify the web sites for every Mexican American who has won the Congressional Medal of Honor, and then put those links onto my web site (when it's up and running): http://www.margaritojgarcia.com . I want there to be no shortage of information when it comes to our Mexican American Medal of Honor winners---I believe that we owe it to them to honor them in this way.

Sent by Elsa Pena and Walter L. Herbeck, Jr.

http://learner.org/redirect/september/geog67.html  Workshop 2, "Latin America," considers population issues and factors leading to migration, then enters the classroom to observe real teaching in action. Find lesson plans http://learner.org/redirect/september/geog68.html , program transcripts http://learner.org/redirect/september/geog69.html  ,

National Geographic standards
http://learner.org/redirect/september/geog70.html , and a Guatemala slide show http://learner.org/redirect/september/geog71.html  on the series Web site.

"The Merrow Report" http://learner.org/redirect/september/mer72.html  Program 33, "Lost in ranslation: Latinos, Schools, and Society," investigates special challenges Latino students face in public schools.

On art and literature: "A World of Art: Works in Progress" http://learner.org/redirect/september/woart73.html  showcases the provocative works of painter/activist Judy Baca and performance artist Guillermo Gómez-Peña (program intended for older students and adults).

"The Expanding Canon: Teaching Multicultural Literature in High School" http://learner.org/redirect/september/canon74.html  features authors 

Pat Mora http://learner.org/redirect/september/mora75.html ,

Rudolpho Anaya  http://learner.org/redirect/september/anaya76.html   ,

Tomás Rivera http://learner.org/redirect/september/rivera77.html  

Graciela Limón http://learner.org/redirect/september/limon78.html l.

"Teaching Multicultural Literature: A Workshop for the Middle Grades"   http://learner.org/redirect/september/tml80.html  introduces teachers to the writings of Julia Alvarez, Pam Muñoz Ryan, Judith Ortiz Cofer, and other distinguished writers.

On the Web site for "Developing Writers: A Workshop for High School 
Teachers" http://learner.org/redirect/september/dwrit81.html , read

Judith Ortiz Cofer's poem "Hispanic Barbie With Accessories" http://learner.org/redirect/september/dwrit82.html  and this essay about race, culture, identity, and American academia

http://learner.org/redirect/september/bstrp83.html  by Professor Victor Villanueva of Washington State University.

"American Passages: A Literary Survey" http://learner.org/redirect/september/ap84.html  discusses the work and influences of many Latino and Chicano authors of past and present. Programs 1, 2, 12, and 16 may be of particular interest. Also visit the series Web site to find links to author biographies

http://learner.org/redirect/september/ap85.html  and artifacts related to Hispanic history and heritage http://learner.org/redirect/september/archv86.html  .

On language:  
Our popular language series "Destinos: An Introduction to Spanish" http://learner.org/redirect/september/dest87.html  presents lessons in the form of a telenovela, or Spanish soap opera.

"Teaching Foreign Languages K-12: A Library of Classroom Practices" http://learner.org/redirect/september/tfl88.html  offers eight programs featuring the Spanish language and Latin American culture.

Walkouts that sparked the emergence of 
the Chicano Civil Rights Movement.

The 2nd edition is now out.  I am pleased to report that Malaquias Montoya, noted Chicano artist, did the art work. 

Peace, Carlos . . . .

Dr. Carlos Muñoz, Jr.
Professor Emeritus
Department of Ethnic Studies
510-642-9134
http://ethnicstudies.berkeley.edu/faculty/munoz 

SELECTED WRITINGS ON 
CHICANO PARK DAY 2007 
BY 
FRESHMEN WOMEN AT UC SAN DIEGO 
Written for a seminar on Cesar E. Chavez by 
Prof. Jorge Mariscal 
Sent by Dorinda Moreno

Diana Nieto 
J. Mariscal
07 May 2007
Chicano Park
Crafts, political booths, music, and the smell of food surrounded Barrio Logan's Chicano Park that Saturday. This day was a celebration of a community's demand to not only have a place of their own, but also make it into a public space where visitors could notice the culture and concepts that were behind it. Its location is underneath a number of bridges and freeways. Aside from the trees, these concrete structures provided shade for the visitors observing and in awe of the several low riders that were present at the event. Every color was present from yellow to black to pink. Just like the cars, the booths that had crafts had their Calaveras y Diablitos 
supply, Frida Kahlo replications and clothing with Chican@ messages embroidered unto them. All of these different items had a similarity, they all were resembling the uplifting, colorful, and warm ambience one felt, even with the small amount of demonstrators representing the Minutemen Project. 
Although I was born in the county of San Diego, I was never exposed to Barrio 
Logan, and so I was one of the visitors that had the smile of a kid that is at Disneyland for the first time, this was my Disneyland. Chicano Park Day felt that it was welcoming to all, and I think that is because it stands for the struggles many endure because they are not what is thought of as "American." But this location through its graffiti covered walls that one can spend hours admiring and history shows that there is hope. It is an example of a community that succeeded in getting what they fought for. This event was also an example of Mexican-American. This could have been a block party, where the apple pie was tamales or tacos. It brought together a community that is aware that is large but events such as this show how powerful they are. A majority, if not all felt proud to be Latino, Mexican-American, Chican@, Hispanic, Black, White, Asian, Middle-Eastern, and every other label that has been created because underneath that is a lifestyle and Chicano Park had many of the Latino Culture displayed. There was something for everyone, but their interest/pride in the culture connected them as the community was when they demanded for Chicano Park. 

Gonzalez 1 
Alejandra Gonzalez 
Freshman Seminar 
Jorge Mariscal 
8 May 2007 

Celebrating 37 years of Chicano Park 
On Saturday April 21, 2007 the thirty-seventh annual celebration of Chicano Park took place in Barrio Logan in San Diego. Upon arriving at the park it was evident it was a festive event; their where stands all around the park, each representing their own organizations; others, where commercial stands where food, and Chicana /0 items where sold. At a first glance all the commotion was over whelming, but never the less welcoming. I immediately felt myself gravitate towards the gazebo in the center of the park, to hear what was occurring. A man was reciting a poem in which I recall reference to undocumented workers, students, nature, family, and Chicano/a pride. The experience was an unforgettable one, where a common culture, belief, tradition, and political associations brought a people together. The overall experience was gratifying, women, children, men, families, all seemed to belong. In the midst of the organized chaos I understood the purpose of the Celebration; it was to let others know that we had issues that needed to be addressed. It was to remind this country that we share a common history, not a separate one which deserves only a page or two in history text books. Yes, there were minute men at the event; however they too served a purpose; they were there to challenge our ideas and in doing so only made them stronger. I feel this event showed me a side of San Diego I was not familiar with, a place where Chicano culture is not worst nor better, just embraced, and a place where you can actually enjoy a real taco. I truly enjoyed the Chicano Park Celebration and look forward to forming part of it again next year. 

Yvette Martinez 
Cesar Chavez Seminar 
ChicanoPark

Family, harmony, happiness and culture were what I experienced the day I went 
to Chicano Park. It was such a wonderful experience to be present in such a day where so many people congregate peacefully and culturally. Since I am a first year student, it is very difficult for me to get acquainted with school and San Diego in general, I get home sick very often and I miss my family, but going to Chicano Park that day I experienced 
warmth and a sort of coziness, something that made me feel good and at home. I loved the feeling of belonging and seeing everyone happy and enjoying a great day with family. That day was my first time visiting Chicano Park and I have to admit it was a wonderful place. The murals were my favorite I love art and seeing that type of art just moved me, it was beautiful. Chicano art is very inspirational and I want to return to Chicano Park so I can finish taking pictures of all the different murals. I really think is great having a place like that in the community simply because it is a great place for family gatherings and for meeting new people. I also have to say that the low riders were great those cars were so awesome. I am also a big fan of cars and seeing all the types of cars they had and all the different styles was just amazing. I also thought it was amazing how many people gathered for the event, so many little kids, the food was great and the dance performances were terrific. The fact that the minutemen were there protesting was pretty hilarious and annoying but it was nice to see that people were trying to ignore them and just enjoy the rest of their day with their family. I am definitely looking forward in visiting Chicano Park again. I cannot wait to take my family and friends to Chicano Park, I want to be able to share this special place with them and I hope they feel the same way about it as I do. 

Mari Ramirez 
LTAM87 
April 26, 2007 
American Pie: What's under the crust/ Chicano Park Day On Saturday April 21, 2006, I went on a trip with UCSD to the Mexican border to discuss the issues about illegal immigration. We went to San Ysidro and we were given a speech about all the issues about it and also how these people get help, when they feel that officers of the Border Patrol have mistreated them. We where told about incidents that have occurred here in San Diego, especially in the San Ysidro area. How U.S. law enforcers go into people's homes, when they have reason to believe that illegal immigrants reside in that home. But how these people not knowing their rights, such as the law that prohibits police officers to enter your home without a legal warrant, they get taken into custody and deported back to Mexico. A story that I thought was really sad was about a family whose home was raided by officers, both the parents were residing in the U.S. illegally, but they had been living in San Ysidro for 18 years were deported back to Mexico. They had 3 children, ages 16, 13, and 8. These children are right now going through really hard times, the oldest one is going through having to figure out how to pay for the mortgage of their home, the bills, and how to support her siblings. The younger ones are having a really hard time because they weren't harmed physically but mentally, having to see how their parents were taken away really had an impact on them. For me 
this story really touched my heart because I would not want to be in their place, I don't think anybody would, and the parents, they have been here in the U.S. for 18 years doesn't that mean anything to the federal government. Or maybe the fact that these 3 children's are all U.S. citizens doesn't that count for anything. After hearing all these cases and facts about illegal immigrants we where taken closer to the border, and it was further explained to us how border patrols mistreat the immigrants. Many case where brought to our attention of how the agents killed the immigrants because they felt threatened by them. In some case the agents would argue that they shot the illegal immigrants because they saw them leaned down to grab a rock, so they felt the need to defend themselves by shooting at them. One case in particular caught my attention, because the officials from Mexico and U.S. Police officers realized that a border patrol agent lied about killing an immigrant. The agent had said that he shot the man because he bent down to get a rock, but the area through which the immigrant was trying to come to the U.S. there are only pebbles, and not big rocks. Also the illegal had been shot in the back when he was trying to go back to Mexico. This is one of many cases that have happened, but this one is one of the few where it was actually proven that the Border patrol agent was lying and that he killed the illegal immigrant because he just didn't like him. We where then taken to Chicano Park, I thought that it was really nice, and it felt like home. It felt like home because I am from the Imperial Valley, and my community is composed of a majority of Mexicans. So just being there and seeing all these Mexican people appreciate where they come from really made me happy. I have always felt that we must never forget where our roots lie at, yes im grateful for the opportunities that have been granted to me by being a U.S. citizen, but I am also grateful for being who I am. Chicano park showed me that being Mexican is important to these people. 

A History of Languages
 in the United States
From the Files of Dr. Armando A. Ayala

• US Constitution (1787) had no official language required. Democracy means leaving language choice up to the individual.

• 1850s Language used in schools according to immigrant group with political power. German/English in Ohio. French/English in Louisiana, Spanish/ English in New Mexico.

• Prior to 1914 -Many community schools existed to teach a specific language such as German. Saturday classes were common. After 1917 April 2 —War with Germany, Americanization campaign begins. Large scale adult English programs with indoctrination of free enterprise values. English equals Americanization. Educational goal: Replace immigrant languages and cultures with those of the United States. Industrialists such as Henry Ford required Americanization classes for foreign-born workers (Cheryl McElvain)

• 1923 - After 1923, frenzy of Americanization subsided. Bans on German lifted. However, public attitudes had changed. By late 1930's bilingual instruction was almost eradicated in U.S. It was unpatriotic to learn another language.

• 1945 - World War II — Nuclear bombs dropped by U.S. on Japan, Bernard Baruck's warning speech, "We have a choice between the quick and the dead" before the new United Nations all led to realization of need for knowledge of other languages; teaching of foreign languages in schools encouraged using the Audio Lingual method.

• 1959 Resurgence of bilingual education due to.the Soviet's 1957 launching of Sputnik Migration by Cubans from Fidel Castro's Cuba; professional classes to Dade County, Florida, led to first county bilingual program in U.S.

• 1960' Civil Rights movement led to 1968 Bilingual Education Act, Title VII. Provided supplemental funding for school districts interested in establishing programs to meet the "special education needs of large number of Limited English Proficiency children."

• 1974 U. S. Supreme Court Decision: Lau vs. Nichols upheld 1970 memorandum stating, "No student shall be denied access to or the opportunity for equal participation in an educational program due to his inability to speak or understand the English language" based on Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

• 1998 June Proposition 227 (Ron Unz Initiative) To end bilingual education passes in California with a 60% voter approval. Replaces bilingual with 180 days of English lessons.

• 1999 California State legislature mandates that starting with the Class of 2004, all public high school students to graduate must pass an exit exam given in English only.

• 2001 - 93% of Americans speak only English!

• American Council on Immersion Education
  www.carla.umn.edu/immersion/acie
• Center for Applied Linguistics
  www.cal.org
• The National Network for Early Language Learning
  www.nnell.org
• What Parents Want to Know About Foreign Language Immersion Programs
  www.cal.org/resources/digest/0304fortune.html
• Why Immersion?
  www.carla.umn.edu/immersion/acie/vol4/feb2001_whyimmers.html
• Benefits of Being Bilingual
  http://www.intlschool.org/pdf/IMMERSION_research.pdf
• Bilingual Parenting in a Foreign Language
  http://humanities.byu.edu/bilingual

Sent by Paul Newfield III, skip@thebrasscannon.com

Hi, Lico R here. I am a comedian who has opened for many BIG acts like, Paul Rodriguez, Mammas & Papas, Janie Frickie, Mil Mascaras etc. I have also worked along with the Michael Jackson Victory Tour and Julio Iglesias in Dallas. (See www.Lico.TV) Now I do casino and corporate comedy.

BUT I AM ALSO in Civil Rights at the local, district and national level for LULAC (League Of Latin American Citizens. I was named LULAC National Civil Rights Man of the Year and Texas Man of the Year both in 2002.  I am also a good friend of Little Joe y La Familia, for real. He is a GREAT GUY!

FYI we just got back from the Texas LULAC convention and this is one of our key issues at both the state and national level. I took the opportunity to show our local Civil Rights Chair, Andrea Elliott, and our District 21 Civil Rights Committee the proximity of El Paso to Juarez, Mexico. About a stone's throw across a small dry water channel (canal). With a partition in the fence the size of a normal yard gate.

Mexican singer and actor Antonio Aguilar, who delighted international audiences for years with wholesome musical rodeo shows that earned him a reputation as the Roy Rogers of Mexico, has died. He was 88.

Aguilar had endured a protracted battle with pneumonia before he died late Tuesday at a Mexico City hospital, according to the Associated Press. A viewing and memorial Mass were held Wednesday at the capital's historic Basilica de Guadalupe, where dignitaries, celebrities and fans gathered to pay last respects to an artist considered one of the country's leading cultural ambassadors.

Mexican President Felipe Calderón called Aguilar's death a great loss and expressed hope that his "legacy would continue being a seed for a better Mexico."

"It wasn't his singing or his voice that made him so memorable to us," said Nati Cano, director of Los Angeles' Mariachi Los Camperos, who backed Aguilar during shows at downtown's Million Dollar Theater in the 1960s. "It was his character, the way he treated musicians and interacted with an audience, as if he were related to each one of them."

In a career that spanned six decades, Aguilar made more than 160 records and more than 100 films, often starring as a fearless champion of the poor in dramas with revolutionary themes. In his personal life, he nurtured an image as a devoted family man, married for more than 45 years to his wife, singer Flor Silvestre, and shepherding his two boys, Antonio and Pepe, into show business at an early age and leaving a legacy through Pepe Aguilar, now a successful recording star in his own right.

In Los Angeles, Aguilar built an enormous following starting in the 1950s, first as a solo singer and then with his thrilling rodeos, which began in the '60s.

On Wednesday, Aguilar was remembered as one of the first Mexican artists to develop a fan base among Mexican immigrants in the United States and to engage non-Latino audiences here as well.

USC journalism professor Félix Gutiérrez recalled a chance airport encounter with Aguilar in the early 1970s. Gutierrez was a graduate student at Stanford University when he spotted Aguilar arriving with his wife on a commuter plane in San Jose, totally unnoticed by the general public and carrying their own bags. The only ones who recognized the famous couple were custodians and other Latino laborers who were as thrilled to spot their beloved stars as others might be to see Bob Hope.

"That helped me realize there was a [cultural] gap," said Gutierrez, who teaches at the Annenberg School for Communication. "Aguilar helped build a musical bridge between Mexico and the U.S. He was a breakthrough in terms of creating a following north of the border."

Pascual Antonio Aguilar Barraza was born May 17, 1919, in Villanueva in the state of Zacatecas. As a boy, he entered the seminary to become a priest and instead cultivated his vocal talents in the choir.

With the goal of becoming a classical singer, he got a scholarship to study music in Los Angeles in the early 1940s, but he was deported and started working in Tijuana, earning $12 a week.

By 1945, he moved to Mexico City with a Lincoln convertible and cash in the bank, soon buying a nightclub, the Minuit, that came to attract cross-border celebrities including Gary Cooper and Pedro Infante.

Though he first started singing romantic boleros, Aguilar changed his tuxedo for a charro outfit and found popular acceptance singing rancheras and corridos, the narrative genre that spins tales of adventurers and revolutionaries, such as Heraclio Bernal and Emiliano Zapata, whom he later portrayed on the silver screen.

Aguilar started his film career alongside mariachi icon Infante, in 1952's "Un Rincón Cerca del Cielo" (A Corner Close to Heaven), the first of a string of movies that spanned half a century.

In the 1960s, he expanded into producing and screenwriting, though not always with stellar results. He produced, co-wrote and played the leading role in 1970's "Emiliano Zapata," an overly grave characterization that steered him away from his popular comedic musicals.

In the United States, Aguilar is perhaps best remembered for his role as General Rojas in the English-language western "The Undefeated" (1969), which co-starred John Wayne and Rock Hudson.

Jose Hernandez, director of the Mariachi Sol de Mexico, recalled working with Aguilar as a teenager during shows in Los Angeles. The young apprentice annotated the old unwritten corridos, writing notes as Aguilar hummed the musical introductions.

"He was an incredible man, very special," Hernandez said Wednesday from his Cielito Lindo Restaurant in South El Monte. "And he was so respectful of this country. He would tell all his crew, and all his musicians, 'We're going to the U.S. so we must be on our best behavior. We want the Americans to see what the true Mexico is all about, and that our culture is beautiful.' "

Aguilar expressed that goal in a 2003 interview with Imagen, his home state's leading newspaper. Aguilar recalled that promoters at first were not interested in booking his Mexican rodeo at venues like Madison Square Garden and the Los Angeles Sports Arena, which he would eventually fill to capacity.

"They would tell me that the show had no value for their venues, because there was just no Latin American attraction that could draw enough people," he said. "Still, I wanted to get in. I wanted to show them what we could do, and lift high the name of Mexico."

agustin.gurza@latimes.com

For Immediate Release:

NATIVE SAINT: THE AMAZING JOURNEY OF JUAN DIEGO is inspired by the compelling, beautiful story of Our Lady of Guadalupe and written by New York City playwright-composer Luce Amen. After fifteen preview performances for audiences in San Antonio, Dallas, Mexico City, San Diego, and New York City as it heads for full production on Broadway, Amen is bringing a one-time only special benefit performance of the brand new musical to the Elizabeth Huth Coates Theater at The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) on Sunday, August 12, 2007 at 5 p.m. Amen grew up in San Antonio and graduated from Incarnate Word High School. Proceeds will benefit the UIW Zelime Lytle Amen Braun Scholarship Fund, named in honor of Lucy’s mother.

This one-of-a-kind ‘boutique performance’ is ninety minutes with a reception following the presentation. Free valet parking is available.

The musical presents a rich tapestry of mariachi, contemporary flamenco, rock, pop, and dramatic ballads. Amen feels that NATIVE SAINT: THE AMAZING JOURNEY OF JUAN DIEGO has within it a timeless, uplifting story from yesterday which offers inspiration for meeting the challenges of today. "Performing NATIVE SAINT: THE AMAZING JOURNEY OF JUAN DIEGO in San Antonio is a homecoming gift to her city, its people and her family, as well as an opportunity to honor her mother’s memory in a very special way," she adds.

Playwright-composer Amen spent much of her youth in the Alamo City, attending St. Anthony Grade School and Incarnate Word High School. After earning her Bachelor of Music Education degree at The University of Texas in Austin, she taught elementary school music for three years in San Antonio.

Amen left Texas to continue her musical studies and achieve a Master’s Degree at the prestigious Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. She then headed for New York City, which became for her a portal to a career appearing as a songwriter-vocalist-guitarist in the U.S. and abroad. Today, Amen continues to reside in Manhattan but still returns frequently to family and friends in Texas.

The hallmark of Amen’s musical compositions and performances has been her ability to capture widely-varied musical styles in her writing and delivery, presenting them with striking authenticity. One of many examples of her meticulous preparation for such performances was on a 96-day cruise, working with the nightclub orchestra on the SS Rotterdam. At ports- of-call, from Rio de Janeiro to Tokyo, Amen, armed with her tape recorder, would corral a native from that country and arrange for that person to teach her a popular song from the locale, especially the pronunciation and colloquial meanings.

From her home in New York City, Amen recently commented, "Growing up in San Antonio, the culture of Mexico is a natural part of the environment. It was easy to soak up the warmth and color and the sounds of the Spanish language, and to just naturally experience Mexican music and dance alongside American pop and rock and country music. From Mexican-American friends and teachers in school, to hearing performers and seeing the influence on art and architecture, the richness of Mexico permeated daily life in San Antonio. And paintings and statues of Our Lady of Guadalupe were a part of that. But I never knew the details of this story until I felt compelled to start writing music for it."

About twelve years ago, Amen walked into Tower Records in Austin, where her albums were on sale. While she was chatting with the salesman, he handed her a small book on the cover of which was a picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This was his own personal volume which he presented to her and said, "You should write about this." Amen took the book, thanked the salesman, and left, wondering how she would ever be able to return the book to him. She adds, "When I arrived back home in New York the next day, I put the book on a shelf."

Some time later, Amen’s two-year-old son pulled the book from the shelf and opened it. She glanced at a few of the pages and felt it was time to read it so she could return it to the man who had given it to her. She read the story and found that it had an unexpected, rather compelling interest for her. She started to take notes and, over the next weeks and months found herself writing songs and developing scenes for the drama.

It took five years, three trips to Mexico City, countless hours of research at the computer, and extensive literary searches, to provide the basis for Amen’s adaptation of the story for dramatic presentation. She states, "I was very busy being a performing musician, music teacher, and mom, so I could only work on the project in bits and pieces. Sometimes weeks went by with time for only ten or twenty-minute segments to give to the project, and other times I was able to carve out longer periods, usually late at night. One of the songs, which has turned out to be a favorite of audiences who have seen the show, is called ‘I’ll Always Care for You.’ I wrote that on an early morning flight out of Atlanta, after performing at a gala the night before. I’ve learned to carry music staff paper and pencils with me, because you never know when you might come up with some new lyrics or a melody. Through these past years of working on this, I kept getting signs along the way to continue, even though I often didn’t see how I could carve out the time to do it. This project wouldn’t let me rest until I saw it through to completion."

To RSVP and for ticket information:
Contact Beth Amen O’Brien at 210-822-2204 or bethobriensa@gmail.com.  
Media Contact: Jeanne Albrecht (210) 392-9047 jca@satx.rr.com

Anti-Spanish Legends

History of 65 Regiment of Infantry and their battles in the Korean front
http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/news/newsbyid.asp?id=70288

Do you have any information on this, or maybe someone among your correspondents? 
Dean Whinery
7/3/2007  tiodean@hotmail.com 


I forwarded it on to Louis Serna who wrote: 
7/4/2007 8:16:29

Hi Mimi and Dean,
I'm sure you are talking about Marcelino Serna, a distinguished serviceman of WWI. Coincidently, I am gathering info on him myself, to feature him as an "Outstanding Serna of the World" on my blog, http://www.sernasoftheworld.blogspot.com  You can view a nice article on him by Elena Gomez at: http://www.epcc.edu/nwlibrary/borderlands/23/Marcelino%20Serna.htm
I hope this helps. If you know of any other source of information on him, please pass it on to me.

Louis Serna
sernabook@comcast.net

Mimi,
I really like your Somos Primos publication. I have noticed that the Ken Burns WWII Documentary will be out soon. As you recall, the Hispanic veterans got an early release preview of the Doc and they were appalled that little or no mention was made of the contributions that the Hispanic soldiers and airmen made for the war. My father was one of them. He came back emotionally scarred by the war and my mother and her children had to pay the price.

That said, I have always looked up to my father and the fact that has always been proud that he served HIS country, even with all the prejudices that he had to face before, during, and after the war. I understand that Mr Burns has re-edited the documentary to include Hispanics and Latino participation.  And I'm glad he did.

On a side note, I would like to offer my services to those service men that may have war pictures or family heirloom pictures that they would like have restored. If they can send me a copy of the picture they want restored or one that can be scanned, I'll do my best to restore it digitally and then send it back to them to have printed. I will do this only for the war vets of any nationality as my way of thanking them for the sacrifice they have made for us and for this country. A small donation to cover return postage would be appreciated if you send any pictures by regular mail.

The vets can send their digitized pictures to sanudobravo@gmail.com. I would advise that the files be sent in jpeg and at least 1 MB in size so that I can retain the definition. If they would like, they can send copies of their original photos to me at Mario Garcia, 534 Travis, Port Lavaca, Tx 77979. The photos will not be returned unless there is adequate return postage. I am not a professional photo restoration expert but have experience in personal photo restoration. Therefore, I hereby make no guarantees that you will be 100% satisfied with my work and I am doing this strictly on a volunteer basis to enhance photos that will be lost to time if they are not
restored soon.

Sincerely
Mario Garcia
sancudobaboso@hotmail.com

Cuentos

Hi Frank, it is certainly a fun coincidence. .

Wabash Ave was the big cross street, Jewish bakeries, movie theater, etc.

I went to Evergreen Elementary School and then to Hollenbeck Junior High. I only attended Roosevelt for a few months before Mom and Dad divorced. I was 7 in 1940, so we would not have been at any of the schools together.

I did not grow up in close contact with my Lozano cousins. Meeting my cousin Orlando Lozano and his wife Vita in Texas, made it all the more special for me. It was like touching a part of my life that had been denied. I am sending your email to him. Perhaps the Lozano families that you mention will be of interest to him.

I was hoping that the message of respecting and honoring our fathers, looking for the good, was what I was hoping would come across. I am glad that my Dad reminded you of your uncles. I had two uncles on my Chapa side, they too were amazing in their own special way.

Congratulations on obtaining a Ph.D.. What area is it in?

Please feel welcomed to send items . .

Regards, Mimi

________________

Hi Mimi,

Your e-mail tickled my memory bank. I attended Euclid Avenue Elementary School, Hollenbeck Junior High and was graduated from Roosevelt High. My PhD is in Higher Education.   

Do you remember the old Boyle Heights neighbor with the theaters/"shows", the parks (Hollenbeck Park), and the Jewish delicatessens; and then there were THE STREETCARS:

The "F" car (4th street) or the "P" car (1st street) or even the "B" car (Brooklyn avenue) or the "R" car (Whittier Blvd) and, of course, the "Dinky" (also known as the "E" car) – it use to runs from Whittier Blvd to Wabash Ave via Euclid Ave to 4th St to Evergreen Ave to Wabash Ave. See below for some photos of the "F" car (4th street) and the "P" car (1st street).

Thanks for your company and listening to my ramble on days gone bye.

Un abrazo,  Frank

________________

[[Editor:  Then Frank sent photos of these two street cars.  This little square train with seats that flip-flopped was what I used to ride almost daily when I went to Hollenbeck Junior High.  We would pick up a bus on Wabash street and transfer to this "F" Car on Brooklyn Ave.  A section of Brooklyn Ave. was renamed Cesar Chavez Blvd.]]

"F" car (4th street)
http://www.oerm.org/pages/665_Broadway_scene_04_sm.JPG

"P" car (1st street)
http://www.oerm.org/pages/3001_Broadway_04_sm.JPG

Some individuals ride the train of life
Looking out the rear,
Watching miles of life roll by,
And marking every year.

In detailing some of the family background and history of the state of New Mexico, I would like to familiarize the reader with Frank FLORES, Jr.’s Adult Life Experiences:

…I would like to share with you my blessings of a full and productive life since I left high school. What follows is a very succinct summary of a partial listing of my educational and community involvements:

Academic background: East Los Angeles Community College, AA; University of Southern California: USC College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, BS; USC School of Dentistry, DDS; USC School of Medicine, Post-Doctoral; USC School of Education, MS; Claremont Graduate University, Faculty in Education, Graduate Program in Higher Education, MA, PhD; Loma Linda University School of Public Health, MPH; University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Texas, Post-Doctoral.

Additional education: California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA. School of Applied Arts and Sciences, Healthcare Administration; Golden Gate University, San Francisco, CA, California Licensed Insurance Broker-Risk Management/Retired; Whittier College School of Law, Los Angeles, CA & Western State University College of Law, Fullerton, CA, Realtor-California Licensed Real Estate Broker -Syndication of Properties/Retired.

I am on faculty at Loma Linda University School of Public Health, Department of Global Health and the School of Dentistry, Department of Dental Educational Services.

Also, I am an active member of The Supercourse Faculty that is part of Disease Monitoring and Telecommunications, World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center, Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh.

The Supercourse is an Internet-based distance learning material for health-related (medical, nursing, dental, veterinary, etc.) students who are beginners in Epidemiology, Global Health and the Internet. The Supercourse Faculty utilizes the Supercourse for training students. We also contribute to the Supercourse as a reviewer, lecture developer, or translator as well advising over the Internet by discussing with interested parties issues related to prevention.

Volunteer public health activities/field research: While on public health assignments - in Brazil, South America along the Amazon River; in Honduras, Central America along the Mosquito Coast; in The Highlands of Ethiopia, Africa; in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador, South America and the Galapagos Islands of the Pacific Ocean; and in other developing countries - I explored the public health influences as well as the political, economic, cultural, and historical forces that have helped shaped the development of the country.

Volunteered Healthcare services as a health care provider at a children clinic in Jerusalem, Israel; in Mexico with the Flying Samaritans; as a Pilot/Provider in Mexico with "Liga - The Flying Doctors" of Loma Linda University Medical Center and in other countries.

Civic involvements: I was nominated/considered for the Deanship at the University of Southern California School of Dentistry in 1990; I have worked with former Congressman Edward R. Roybal and his office staff to help reduce disparities in access and health status of the elderly; I was involved with the political process on a national and statewide basis and my political associations were such that my wife and I were invited by President Lyndon B. Johnson and his wife to attend a White House State Dinner held in honor of the Chancellor of Austria.

Literature

Translations and Commentary by Ted Vincent Fsln@aol.com

Poetry was a vehicle through which Vicente Riva Palacio added feelings and insight to the historical panorama of Mexico that he presented in his historical novels, short stories and texts. One of his volumes of verse is devoted to the nation’s folk tales, myths and legends. Included in "Tradiciones y leyendas mexicanas" are much told colonial stories as "La Llorena," (The Weeping Woman) and "La Mulata de Cordoba" (tale of the black mystic who foils the Inquisitor and avoids her auto de fe).

Although the world of the past was his preferred theme, Riva Palacio did occasionally write of his own time and his own life. Poetry was his prime vehicle for these more personal subjects. Four selections are presented below. The first is "A Mi Madre," a remembrance of his mother. In it he claims a recollection from around twelve months of age, and if this seems young for the memory retention of most mortals it may be noted that accounts from his school age years from teachers and fellow students describe a remarkably intellectually adept youngster, so, perhaps the baby did recall the following..

Poems by Riva Palacio were frequently put to song. The poem "Adios Mama Carlota" became one of the most popular ballads of late 19^th Century Mexico. The Carlota of the title is the wife of Arch-Duke Maximilian of the Austrian Empire, who headed a brief French-Austrian Empire in Mexico. The first memorable battle of Maximilian’s attempted re-colonization of Mexico was the defeat of his troops at Puebla, on May 5, 1862 (Cinco de Mayo) at which Riva Palacio was a foot soldier, and Maximilian’s ultimate defeat came in 1867, at which Riva Palacio was one of the three Mexican generals who accepted the Emperor’s surrender.

As Maximilian’s cause waned in 1866, fear spread of a bitter aftermath of revenge against the aristocratic Mexican elite that supported the Emperor. In July of that year Riva Palacio seized an opportunity to express his feelings toward reconciliation. He had recently been elevated to General and was at his military headquarters in the dusty "hot country" town of Huetemo when a messenger burst into the room and handed a note that said that the Emperor’s wife Carlota had fled to Europe to seek assistance for her husband. As related in a history of the war: Vicente read for a moment while sipping a cup of coffee. He asked his secretary to get pen and paper, and then Vicente "dictated without pause, without meditation, without changing or correcting a single word" the words for "Adios Mama Carlota." (Goodby Mother Carlota). Though sarcastic, the poem’s images of the pathetic world of the Empress conveyed sympathy. He arranged the words to be sung to the popular song "La Paloma." Within hours they were sung by his troops as they would be across the nation by the soldiers of Mexican President Benito Juarez..

Already the Chinacos
Sing of the victory
Guarding your memory
Without hatred or rancor
Saying as the wind
Whips you boat ahead
Adios, Mama Carlota
Adios, my tender love.

SUPPORT FOR THE TROOPS

The "Chinacos" of the above poem are defined in present day dictionaries as soldiers for Mexico in the war against Maximilian, and/or, soldiers for the "liberal" political cause of Juarez, whose fourteen year presidency included the years of the conflict with the French-Austrian army. These meanings were developed, in part by Riva Palacio, and they substituted for older and quite derogatory meanings that Maximilian’s propagandists dredged up when they labeled Riva Palacio, Juarez and company "Chinacos."

The meanings included: a person of no social grace, a runaway, lower class Indian who had left the homeland, a mixed race person with African heritage, a half Indian/half African, a robber, a slave, a guerrilla, a creature of the night, a bat, a bent twig, a person with multiple personalities, and more.

Riva Palacio threw the term back at Maximilian’s sloganeers. "La Chinaca" was the proud title given to a culture magazine co-edited by Riva Palacio and Guillermo Prieto - a fellow poet and political ally of President Juarez. Riva Palacio wrote in the magazine that the rustic "Chinaco" was the admirable equal of adventurous and romantic "Gaucho" in Argentina The "Chinaco" and the "Gaucho" represented hard work and ingenuity, he said. Both symbolized a national identity and both were from the far regions rather than the respective capitals, Mexico City or Buenos Aires. Riva Palacio expressed his image of "Chinaco" in one of his poems published during the fight against the French-Austrian occupation. It read in part

THE FEEL OF PRISON

The long career of Vicente Riva Palacio included imprisonment for his politically liberal views during the late 1850s, and again in 1884, when he earned a half year behind bars for his criticism of the political turn to the right of strongman Porfirio Diaz and the Diaz pawn Manuel Gonzalez. The jail experience was captured in verse.

You are wind, nothing more, when you complain 
you are wind, if you roar or murmur,
coming or going, you are only wind.

SURNAME  

Bazurto/Basurto 
The Descendents of Don Juan Cano de Saavedra
The Descendents of Don Juan Romo de Vivar y Rangel
Juan Ignacio Barerra Family of Mier, Tamaulipas Mexico

7/10/2007  Hello, My name is Marylou and I want to share with you a picture of my  father a Mexican/German descent. I am enclosing a picture of my father Henry Gerlach Bazurto Mexican/German descent. First Special Service Force 1 regiment 4th Co.  

He served in the Pacific Theater. The army was looking for volunteers  to began one of the most prestigious units. They took over the Mountain of La Defensia in Italy. Within 2 hrs. against the Germans.

My father is in the front cover of the book that was later made into a movie, The Devils Brigade, he is the 3rd person on the lower right hand side smoking a cigar next to Thompson. I have several other  pictures of him. He was under the command of General Federick. I attended a 60th reunion in Helena, Montana. This past yr. My father  was unable to attend due to doctors orders. I had a delightful time and felt the presence of my dad with me. I met his army buddies and heard a few stories not many as many do not share. 

I am hoping that the "Honor" is given to the Mexicans that have fought in war. You can not change history.   Thanks for a great page.
A proud daughter of a true hero.
Marylou Bazurto Binning
mysupernani@gmail.com

7/11/07  Dear MaryLou . . thank you for sharing. The surname Bazurto . . threw me a bit. . I looked it up in Hispanic Surnames and Family History by Lyman D. Platt.   Could you send a little information, where you Dad was born, parents names,
etc.  The photo and medals are really nice, but it would be good to have a little more information about him.
Thank you . . . Mimi

7/11/07  Hello, the surname Bazurto/Basurto originated from Spain. My grandfather Ramon Jose Colato was born in the Los Angeles, Ca. area in 1876 in Olvera St. area. near a church. He married my grandmother, Margarita Mae Gerlach-Bazurto (german and french descent).My great grandparents are Ramon or Raymond Bazurto/Basurto and Doloris (Dolores) Bojorques/z. My great grandparents re-located with the young sibblings to Arizona, one which was my grandfather. My grandfather bought and farmed a ranch and cattle in Magdalena, Mexico. During the drought.. the govt. hired my grandfather to save the cattle from California. Children were born in Magdalena, Mexico the last 2 were born in Nogales, Arizona.

Hi Marylou, I am forwarding our communication to Salena Ashton.  She has volunteered to help researchers.   I am also going to include our communication under SURNAMES.  Hopefully . .   you'll make some connections. 

Regards, Mimi

Patriots of the American Revolution

General Galvez Chapter 

 2009 
Bicentennial Plans
Baldwin County, Alabama

Dear Compatriot Legg:

I received this via a friend and it excited me to say the least. Let me introduce myself - I am a Past President of the San Antonio, Texas Chapter SAR and the current President of the Texas Connection to the American Revolution Association (TCARA). www.TCARA.net

TCARA is a nonprofit historical society formed to recognize and perpetuate the memory of Texas' participation in the American Revolution by supplying over 12,000 head of Texas longhorns via trail drives spanning the last three years of the "Revolution" to feed General Bernardo de Galvez's Army. Without this endless supply of beef, Galvez would not have kicked the British off the Mississippi River and the entire Gulf Coast. Further, it could be argued that he would not have been in a position to send Paul De Grasse (his fleet was under Galvez's command for the invasion of Jamaica) and the 4,500,000 reales (500,000 pesos) which financed the battle of Yorktown.
Can you tell we love Galvez?

The reason I am writing, is to volunteer TCARA's services for your 2009 event. I also feel the San Antonio Chapter of SAR would be honored to participate upon your request.

I give a talk on the subject to schools and colleges as well as organizations who find it interesting and entertaining and would be happy to do so at your event.

VIVA Galvez!

Jack Cowan
P O Box 690696
San Antonio, TX 78269

Officer of the German Navy seeks data on ancestor 
Capitan Juan Francisco Blanco

Dear Sirs,

I have a question about the contribution of the Spanish colonial army in the American Revolution theatre. My ancestor are from Costa Rica but I am now living in Germany and I am officer of the German Navy. So that makes genealogical researches a little bit difficult. I send you in the pdf-document a overview my ancestors and maybe you have some time to take a look to give me a little support.

One of my ancestors was the Capitan Juan Francisco Blanco. I have heard that this officer in the Spanish Army in Costa Rica has to march to support the fight at the Castillo San Juan against the British in 1780.

In this time the military of Costa Rica has also fought against the Mosquitos (allies of the British) at the Caribbean Coast. I have also heard that my ancestors in Costa Rica have to pay a war tax in this time to support the American Revolution.

So I think, that some of my ancestors,  especially Captain Juan Francisco Blanco were involved in the support of the American Revolution.  Maybe this historical background is enough to become a SAR. It would be a great honor for me to join the SAR, because nowadays I served 2001/2002 in the "Operation Enduring Freedom" to fight the terrorism and support in this way again the U.S.

Thank you for all of your help.

Sincerely, Thomas Vargas
Lt. (German Navy) from the Ministery of Defense, Berlin, Germany
thvavore@t-online.de

Descendants of Juan-José Picaso (Compiled by EZP)

Generation No. 1
1. JUAN-JOSÉ1 PICASO was born Abt. 1802 in San Francisco de Aguanueva, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México, and died in San Francisco de Aguanueva, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México. He married FELIPA RODRIGUES in , México. She was born Abt. 1804 in San Francisco de Aguanueva, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México, and died in San Francisco de Aguanueva, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México.

Child of JUAN-JOSÉ PICASO and FELIPA RODRIGUES is: 2. i. JUAN-PABLO2 PICASO-RODRIGUES, b. 1830, San Francisco de Aguanueva, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México; d. , San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México.

Generation No. 2
2. JUAN-PABLO2 PICASO-RODRIGUES (JUAN-JOSÉ1 PICASO) was born 1830 in San Francisco de Aguanueva, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México, and died in , San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México. He married MARÍA-DIEGA VALDÉS 06 Aug 1854 in San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México1. She was born 1831 in Aguanueva, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México, and died in , San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México.

Children of JUAN-PABLO PICASO-RODRIGUES and MARÍA-DIEGA VALDÉS are:

3. i. TEODORO3 PICASO-VALDÉZ, b. 1869, Rancho del Santo Niño, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México; d. Rancho del Santo Niño, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México. 
ii. MACEDONIA PICAZO-VALDÉS, b. 1871, San Juan de Guadalupe, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México; m. JUAN ADAME-VÁSQUEZ, 11 Jan 1889, Igl.  San Juan de Guadalupe, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México2; b. 1866, San Juan de Guadalupe, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México.

4. iii. FÉLIX PICASO-VALDÉS, b. Abt. 1865, Aguanueva, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México; d. San Juan de Guadalupe, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México.

5. iv. YGNACIO PICAZO-VALDÉS, b. Abt. 1890, Congregación de Aguanueva, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México; d. , , , Mexico.

v. MARÍA PICASO-VALDÉZ, b. 1879, Aguanueva, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México; d. , , , Mexico; m. ANTONIO DELGADILLO--BARRIOS, 20 Jun 1898, Igl Ntra Sra. de Guadalupe, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México3; b. 1878, Aguanueva, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México; d. , , , Mexico.

Generation No. 3
3. TEODORO3 PICASO-VALDÉZ (JUAN-PABLO2 PICASO-RODRIGUES, JUAN-JOSÉ1 PICASO) was born 1869 in Rancho del Santo Niño, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México, and died in Rancho del Santo Niño, San Juan deGuadalupe, Durango, México. He married YSIDRA ROCHA-AGUIRRE 16 Feb 1889 in Igl. San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México4, daughter of SANTOS ROCHA and MACEDONIA AGUIRRE. She was born 1872 in Rancho del Santo Niño, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México, and died in Rancho del Santo Niño, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México.

Marriage Notes for TEODORO PICASO-VALDÉZ and YSIDRA ROCHA-AGUIRRE:

Felix Picaso fue testigo de este matrimonio.

Child of TEODORO PICASO-VALDÉZ and YSIDRA ROCHA-AGUIRRE is:

i. MARIA CANDELARIA4 PICASO-VALDÉZ, b. 02 Feb 1897, El Santo Nino, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, Mexico; d. Abt. 1988, San Juan de Guadalupe, San Juan de Guadaluabpe, Durango, México.

4. FÉLIX3 PICASO-VALDÉS (JUAN-PABLO2 PICASO-RODRIGUES, JUAN-JOSÉ1 PICASO) was born Abt. 1865 in Aguanueva, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México, and died in San Juan de Guadalupe, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México. He married (1) MARÍA-DE-JESÚS MARTÍNEZ in San Juan de Guadalupe, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México. She was born Abt. 1860 in San Juan de Guadalupe, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México, and died in San Juan de Guadalupe, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México. He married (2) MARIA-DE-LA-CRUZ VÁZQUEZ(HN) 02 Jul 1900 in Parr. Santa Maria de Guadalupe, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango5, daughter of MACEDONIA VÁZQUEZ. She was born 1870 in San José de Barrones, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México, and died in San Juan de Guadalupe, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México.

More About FÉLIX PICASO-VALDÉS:
Burial: San Juan de Guadalupe, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México

More About MARÍA-DE-JESÚS MARTÍNEZ:
Burial: San Juan de Guadalupe, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México

Children of FÉLIX PICASO-VALDÉS and MARÍA-DE-JESÚS MARTÍNEZ are: 
i. PORFIRIA4 PICAZO-MARTÍNEZ6, b. 1879, San Juan de Guadalupe, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México; d. 12 Nov 1937, San Juan de Guadalupe, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México.

Notes for PORFIRIA PICAZO-MARTÍNEZ: 
El apellido de la familia aparece también como Picasso, Picaso y "Picazo".

More About PORFIRIA PICAZO-MARTÍNEZ: 
Burial: San Juan de Guadalupe, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México

ii. ALICIA PICAZO-MARTÍNEZ7, b. 1935, San Juan de Guadalupe, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México; d. 18 Apr 1953, San Juan de Guadalupe, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México.

More About ALICIA PICAZO-MARTÍNEZ:
Burial: 19 Apr 1953, San Juan de Guadalupe, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México

Child of FÉLIX PICASO-VALDÉS and MARIA-DE-LA-CRUZ VÁZQUEZ(HN) is: 

6. iii. PORFIRIA4 PICASO-VAZQUEZ, b. 1897, San Juan de Guadalupe, San Juan de Guadaluabpe, Durango, México; d. 12 Nov 1937, El Estribo, San Pedro De Las Colonias, Coahuila, Mexico.

5. YGNACIO3 PICAZO-VALDÉS (JUAN-PABLO2 PICASO-RODRIGUES, JUAN-JOSÉ1

PICASO) was born Abt. 1890 in Congregación de Aguanueva, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México, and died in , , , Mexico. He married ENCARNACIÓN DELGADILLO-GARCIA in Congregación de Aguanueva, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México, daughter of FRANCISCO DELGADILLO and VICTORIA GARCIA. She was born Abt. 1891 in Congregación de Aguanueva, San Juan de Guadalupe, and died in , , , Mexico.

More About YGNACIO PICAZO-VALDÉS: Occupation: 17 Oct 1910, Jornalero 
Child of YGNACIO PICAZO-VALDÉS and ENCARNACIÓN DELGADILLO-GARCIA is:

i. TERESO4 PICAZO-DELGADILLO, b. 12 Oct 1910, Congregación de Aguanueva, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, México.

Generation No. 4
6. PORFIRIA4 PICASO-VAZQUEZ (FÉLIX3 PICASO-VALDÉS, JUAN-PABLO2

PICASO-RODRIGUES, JUAN-JOSÉ1 PICASO) was born 1897 in San Juan de Guadalupe, San Juan de Guadaluabpe, Durango, México, and died 12 Nov 1937 in El Estribo, San Pedro De Las Colonias, Coahuila, Mexico. She married TERESO TAPIA-HERRERA 1913 in El Estribo, San Pedro De Las Colonias, Coahuila, Mexico. He was born 1891 in San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and died 18 Feb 1959 in El Estribo, San Pedro De Las Colonias, Coahuila, Mexico.

Children of PORFIRIA PICASO-VAZQUEZ and TERESO TAPIA-HERRERA are:

i. LEONIDES5 TAPIA-PICASO, b. 1916, El Estribo, San Pedro De Las Colonias, Coahuila, México; d. 27 Dec 1980, El Estribo, San Pedro De Las Colonias, Coahuila, México.

ii. BENITO TAPIA-PICASO, b. 21 Mar 1924, El Estribo, San Pedro De Las Colonias, Coahuila, México; d. 28 May 2002, El Estribo, San Pedro De Las Colonias, Coahuila, México.

iii. GERONIMO TAPIA-PICASO, b. 1926, El Estribo, San Pedro De Las Colonias, Coahuila, México; d. 11 Apr 1994, El Estribo, San Pedro De Las Colonias, Coahuila, México.

iv. MARIA-GUADALUPE TAPIA-PICASO, b. 12 Dec 1914, El Estribo, San Pedro De Las Colonias, Coahuila, México; d. 07 Mar 2003, Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico.

Endnotes

1. 2245853, Reg. Parr. Matrimonios, Igl. Santa Maria de Guadalupe,

San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, 83v y 84f, Acta S/N, "S. Juan de Guade. - Juan Pablo Picaso con Diega Lopes." Matrimonio: 6 Agosto 1854.

2. 2245853, Reg. Parr. Matrimonios, Igl. Santa Maria de Guadalupe,

San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, , Acta S/N, "Juan Adame con Masedonia Picazo" Matrimonio: 11 enero 1889.

3. 2245853, Reg. Parr. Matrimonios, Igl. Santa Maria de Guadalupe,

San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, 128v, Acta S/N, "Antonia Delgadillo con Mará Picazo" Matrimonio: 20 junio 1898.

4. 2245853, Reg. Parr. Matrimonios, Igl. Santa Maria de Guadalupe, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, 57f, Acta S/N, "Teodoro Picaso con Ysidra Rocha" Matrimonio: 16 Feb 1889.

5. 2245853, Reg. Parr. Matrimonios, Igl. Santa Maria de Guadalupe, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, , Acta S/N, Libro 6, "Felix Picaso con María Vazquez: Matrimonio: 2 jul 1900.

6. 1396165, p 19, Film # 1396165, Batch 0790137.

7. 2052996, Registro Civil, Defunciones, San Juan de Guadalupe, Durango, P 7f y 7v, "Acta No. 20 Alicia Picazo falleció el dia 18 de Abril 1954."

Source:campezina@juno.com 
Genealogia-Mexico@googlegroups.com 
http://www.genealogia-es.com/enlazrea.html 
http://www.heraldaria.com/omilitares.php 

George Washington, 
Descendiente de El Cid 

By John D. Inclan
fromgalveston@yahoo.com  

George was the son/hijo of/de Captain AGUSTINE WASHINGTON & MARY BALL .

2) Captain Agustine was the son/hijo of /de MAJOR LAWRENCE WASHINGTON &MILDRED WARNER (daughter of AGUSTINE WARNER II and MILDRED READE. 

Note: Mr. &Mrs. Agustine Warner II are ancestors of the current Queen of England, Elizabeth II.

Mildred Reade, (above) was the daughter of Colonel George Reade and Elizabeth Martiau.

Col. George Reade was the son of Robert Reade and Mildred Windebank

Mildred Windebank was the daughter of Francis Dymoke.

Francis Dymoke was the daughter of Edward Dymoke, 16th Lord of Schrivelsby and Lady Anne Tailboy. Lord Dymoke was the son of Robert Dymoke, 15th Lord of Schrivelsh and Lady Jane Sparrow. Lord Robert was the son of Thomas Dymoke, 14th Lord of Schrivelsh and Lady Margaret de Welles. Margaret de Welles was the Daughter of Lionel de Welles, 6th Baron Welles and Baroness Jane Waterton. Baron Lionel was the son of Sir Eon de Welles and Lady Maude de Greystroke. Sir Eon de Welles was the son of John de Welles, 5th Baron Welles and Baroness Margaret de Mowbray.

Margaret de Mowbray was the daughter of John de Mowbray, 4th Baron Mowbray and Baroness Elizabeth de Segrave. Elizabeth de Segrave was the daughter of John de Sebrave, 4th Lord of Segrave and Margaret, Duchess of Norfork. Margaret was the daughter of Thomas de Brotherton, 1st Earl of Norfork and Lady Alice Hayes. Thomas was the son of Edward I, King of England, (descendent of El Cid) and his 2nd wife, Marguerite of France, Queen Consort of England.  Hijo de

3) Major Lawrence was the son/hijo of/de COL. JOHN WASHINGTON & ANN POPE 1658, (daughter of NATHANIEL POPE and LUCY)

4) John Washington was the son/hijo of/de Reverend LAWRENCE WASHINGTON &AMPHYLIS TWIGDON.   Hijo de .

5) Rev. Lawrence was the son/hijo of MARGARET BUTLER &LAWRENCE WASHINGTON.

6) Margaret Butler was the daughter/hija of WILLIAM BUTLER &MARGARET GREEKE.

7) William was the son/hijo of MARGARET SUTTON & JOHN BUTLER. .

8) Margaret was the daughter/hija of Sir JOHN SUTTON &Lady CHARROL SUTTON.

9) Sir John was the son/hijo of Lady JOYCE de TIPTOFT &Sir EDMUND SUTTON.

10) Lady Joyce was the daughter/hija of Lady JOYCE CHERLETON & JOHN DE TIPTOFT, 1ST BARON of TIPTOFT..

11) Lady Joyce Cherleton was the daughter/hija of EDWARD CHERLETON, 5TH BARON OF CHERETON &Lady ELEANOR HOLAND, (daughter of Sir THOMAS de HOLAND and Lady ALICE FITZALAN).

Note ELEANOR HOLAND was a descendent of King Edward I of England by his second marriage

Her father Thomas de Holand, 2nd Earl of Kent m Lady Alice FitzAlan.

He was the son of Lady Joan Plantagenet, Princess of Wales m Thomas Holand, 6th Earl of Kent.

She was the daughter of Edmund of Woodstock, 3rd Earl of Kent m. Lady Margaret Wake.

He was the son of Edward I, King of England 2st wife, Marguerite of France, Queen Consort of England hijo de

12) Baron Edward Cherleton was the son/hijo of Lady JOAN de STAFFORD & JOHN CHERLETON, 2ND BARON OF CHERLETON 1360. He died 13 Jul 1374.

13) Lady Joan was the daughter/hija of BARONESS MARGARET de AUDLEY &RALPH de STAFFORD, 1ST EARL OF STAFFORD.

14) Baroness Margaret was the daughter/hija of Lady MARGARET de CLARE & HUGH de AUDLEY, 2ND BARON OF AUDLEY ( son of Sir HUGH DE AUDLEY and Lady ISOLT DE MORTIMER).

15) Lady Margaret was the daughter/hija of Princess JOAN PLANTAGENT OF ARCE &GILBERT DE CLARE, 7TH EARL OF HERTFORD (son of Sir RICHARD DE CLARE and Lady MAUD de LACY.

16) Princess Joan was the daughter/hija ELEANOR (Leonor) de CASTILLA, REINA DE INGLATERRA & EDWARD I, REY de INGLATERRA (son/hijo of HENRY III, King of England and ELEANOR of PROVENCE).

17) Eleanor was the daughter /hija of /de SANTO FERNANDO III, Rey de CASTILLA &LEON & JEANNE OF DAMMARTIN, Countess of Ponthieu (daughter of SIMON II, Count of Dammartin, Aumale &Ponthieu and Marie (Jeanne), Countess of Ponthieu)

18) Rey Fernando was the son/hijo of La Reina de CASTILLA BERENGARIA & ALFONSO IX, Rey de LEON (hijo de FERDINANDO II, REY de Leon y la REINA URRACA de PORTUGAL) .

19) La Reina Berengaria was the daughter/hija of ALFONSO VIII, Rey de CASTILLA y ELEANOR OF INGLATERRA, Reina de CASTILLA (daughter/hija de HENRY II, King of England and ELEANOR of AQUITAINE) .

20) Rey Alfonso was the son/hijo of BLANCHE de NAVARRE, Reina de CASTILLA &SANCHO III, Rey de CASTILLA (son /hijo of ALFONSO VII, Rey de CASTILLA y la Reina BERENGUELA de Barcelona)..

Notes for Blanche of Navarre &Sancho III, King of Castile: It is from this union that the descendents of Charlemagne first enter this line. Source - Pedigrees of Emperor Charlemagne

21) Blanche de Navarre was the daughter/hija of GARCIA RAMIREZ VI, Rey de NAVARRE &MARGARITA DE L'AIGLE (daughter of GISLEBERT DE L'AIGLE and JULIANA PERCHE).

22) Garcia Ramirez was the son/hijo of ELVIRA Rodriguez, also known as CRISTINA, &RAMIRO SANCHEZ II, COUDE DE MONCON, (son/hijo de GARCIA V, Rey de Navarre and CONSTANZA de Maranon)

23) Elvira, A.K.A. Cristina was the daughter/hija de of Don RODRIGO DIAZ de VIVAR, EL CID & JIMENA de GORMAZ (daughter of DIEGO RODRIGUEZ de OVEIDO and CRISTINA FERNANDEZ).

• Source: Burke's Presidential Families of the United States.

Pedigrees of Some of the Emperor Charlemagne's Descendants, Compiled by Marcellus Donald Alexander R. von Redlich, Vol I.

Pedigrees of Some of the Emperor Charlemagne's Descendants, by J. Orton Buck &Tomothy Field Beard, Vol II.

Ackerman, Diane, The Real George Washington

Hallam, Elizabeth, General editor, The Plantagenet Encyclopedia.

Kinnaird, Clark, George Washington, The Pictorial Biography . Bonanza Book. New York.

Moncreiffe , Sir Iain of That ILK, BT, Royal H

ORANGE COUNTY, CA

4^th Annual

"Olive Street Reunion"

The families, who settled on Olive Street, in search for a better life, developed everlasting bonds and friendships. Those memories are still vivid for some and fading for others. Stories and pictures draw out the past. We ask that you bring those cherished memories and photos to share with young and old.  Let's enjoy a day of sharing memories, stories, photos and mementos.  Children are welcomed.

Saturday, September 29, 2007
11:00 A.M to 6 P.M.

"We are here to celebrate, honor and pay tribute to those in our past who made Westminster their home in that search for a better life for themselves and their children."

The Olive Street Reunion Committee will provide:
Barbecued Carne Asada, Chicken, Dessert & Bottled Water.
We ask you to bring your favorite drinks and a side dish: Salad, vegetables, beans and rice (To serve at least your group & five others)

To Coordinate food and refreshments, please call: 
Norma Castillo (714) 379-6424 
Mary Ann Chavez (714) 891-5337

Latino Expressions Ignite in "Sin Título"

PASADENA, CA – Teatro Nueva Alma presents "Sin Título" opening its extended run on Friday, June 29, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. at The Armory Center for the Arts Northwest in Pasadena. "Sin Título" holds its residency at the Armory every Friday from June 29th – August 31^st and is directed by John Miyasaki. The production lunges deep into motives of the mind and spirit of 7 young Latinos. Thrusting sights and sounds of Latino passions, this production offers inspiration to anyone who is searching for strength and peace within their culture. Teatro is bound to the beauty of their language and experiences and leave audiences with a lasting poetic rhythm after experiencing a Teatro show.

The dilution caused by the casual cultural clumping of the growing number of Latinos in Southern California obscures true nationality. "We are not all Mexicans," is a statement that has been said too often in a yielding manner. The group claims that Argentines, Chileans, Cubans, Puerto Ricans and the many other Latino nations should have an equally fervid voice. "Sin Título" delicately exposes the opposing differences that exist among this intensifying hybrid of Latino culture. "Sin Título" opens Friday, June 29th at the Armory Center for the Arts, Northwest in Pasadena, CA and directed by John Miyasaki. The production runs every Friday from June 29 – August 31 at 8pm. Tickets are $10 advanced sale and $14 at the door. Please visit our myspace for advanced sale tickets.

BACKGROUND ON THE COMPANY AND DIRECTOR
In 1998 at East Los Angeles College, John Miyasaki began to workshop with a group of ambitious and talented students and Teatro Nueva Alma was born. Their first show, "Cries for the Soul," was met with overwhelming positive response from its sold-out performances.

For further information or to purchase tickets, call (626) 375-5219.
Stephanie Chavez (956) 459-0663 • scchavez_@hotmail.com

A rebirth for Latin American art
Long Beach museum showcases its $10 million renovation and expansion.
The Orange County Register, Richard Chang, June 17, 2007

If you drove by the 600 block of Alamitos Avenue in Long Beach a year ago, you easily could have missed the Museum of Latin American Art. But not any longer.

The 11-year-old museum has totally renovated its facilities, with new galleries, a 15,000-square-foot sculpture garden and a new facade designed by Mexican-American architect Manuel Rosen. The newly refurbished museum features two expansive, 40-foot-tall rectangular arches that meet at one point, reflecting the "Bridge to the Americas" theme. The light-brown/adobe exterior is complemented by accents of blue and red, a mini-waterfall, desert landscaping and a reflection pool.

"I consider the arch an expression of Latin American culture," said Rosen, 80, who has designed museums and cultural centers in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Argentina and the U.S. "Then another arch is the American culture. The symbiosis of both arches gives birth to what we call in Spanish el mestizaje, the mixture of cultures."  Water is also an important element, because of the museum's proximity to the Pacific Ocean, Rosen said. Water was missing in the previous incarnation.

The $10 million expansion, which has taken three years to complete, more than doubles the museum's physical capacity to 55,000 square feet. The renovation and expansion includes a new entrance and lobby, office space, a research library, a gift shop, a film-screening room and an art studio.

All of these improvements make MoLAA - the only museum in the western United States devoted exclusively to contemporary Latin American art - a more inviting place to visit. For museum director Gregorio Luke, the expansion is a dream come true. 

"It's exhilarating," Luke said. "One of the main challenges of each generation is to recover and recoup the massive audience. Museums are centers of activity. Here you can have a total cultural experience."

With new exhibits and programs, MoLAA officials aim to triple the number of visitors, which totaled about 50,000 in 2006. 
Still, even Luke admits that the museum's location hasn't always been one of its selling points. "For a long time, this has been a ghetto," he said. But the newly renovated museum has already been changing the neighborhood's image. Last weekend, MoLAA hosted a posh black-tie gala and a free family festival. 

More events are planned. Mexican vocalist Lila Downs will perform a sold-out show today at the museum, blending traditional ranchera music with ballads and rock. Luke will deliver a 10-year retrospective lecture at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. And on Saturday, the museum will host a Latin dance party with a Venezuelan and Cuban orchestra, a Latin DJ and dance contests. 

A PLACE FOR ART 
But perhaps most important - and impressive - is the Latin American visual art on display. The museum has just opened two new exhibitions, "La Presencia: Latin American Art in the United States" and "A Bridge to the Americas: The MoLAA Permanent Collection."

"La Presencia" runs through Aug. 25 and features dozens of works borrowed from public and private collections throughout the U.S. The multimedia exhibit is divided into aesthetic movements: representational art, geometric and optical art, pop art and neo-pop art, conceptual art and new trends in art today. 

"Latin American culture is the most inclusive culture in the world," Luke said. "Some critics dismiss its ability to incorporate, its inclusiveness, as being derivative. A more astute critic will realize it's a culture of synthesis." 
Luke, 46, says showcasing Latin American art in the U.S. is important, beyond the obvious reason that Latinos are the nation's largest and fastest-growing minority group.

"On a deeper level, on a cultural level, what we're witnessing is something historical," he said. "The U.S. is becoming also a blended culture. It's more similar in this way to the Latin American model." MoLAA has also reorganized its permanent collection, on view in "A Bridge to the Americas." About 80 artworks are displayed geographically and later thematically.

As the visitor enters the galleries from the main entrance, 20 works are offered from Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean, with one piece representing each country. 

Inside the galleries, 60 works are organized in three thematic categories: mythic landscapes, the mestizaje (blending) of identity, and political history. Artists in the permanent collection include Rufino Tamayo, José Bedia, Antonio Berni, Miguel Antonio Bonilla, Carlos Colombino, José García Cordero, Fernando De Szyszlo, Guillermo Trujillo, Adolfo Maslach, Mauro Mejíaz, Cesar Menéndez, Dario Ortiz, Daniel Senise Portela, Veronica Riedel and Daniel Livel Ramos.
Also on view are selections from the museum's annual art auction. Several pieces are rotated monthly to give a sample of what's being created and sold by today's Latin American artists.

Clearly, the museum has come a long way since its origins as a roller-skating rink, an FHP clinic and a former silent-movie studio. Museum founding chairman Robert Gumbiner helped acquire these buildings in the 1990s, and has donated millions toward the expansion goal.

It looks like the investment has paid off. With all the recent activity and attention, the museum's staff is more enthusiastic and dedicated than ever before. 

"I am absolutely excited," said Alex Slato, associate director of MoLAA. "It's a very important time for Latin American contemporary art, and there hasn't been one place for it. Until now."
Contact the writer: 714-796-6026 or rchang@ocregister.com

Museum of Latin American Art
· Where: 628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach 
· Hours: 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays 
· $7.50 general, $5 seniors and students, free on Fridays and for children under 12 
· Call: 562-437-1689   · Online: www.molaa.org

 

Obituary: Raul Aguilera

This morning, we lost beloved comrade Raul Aguilera. Details of funeral arrangements will follow in a day or so. Raul Aguilera, gone from us too soon, was a radio personality, bigger than life character in little theatre, played Che Guevarra con gusto y modo, was a brilliant thinker and loved life with wreckless abandon. He was a humble, arrogant, shy, outrageous, irreverent man of great faith. He was a mass of contradictions, as only our Mestizo duality can embrace. Raul will be missed by many, and joined by Trino Sanchez, Peter Meade, Jose Guidiana, so many others we miss and celebrate. Raul should be counted as a fabulous talent, heart of gold, surely one of the tallest trees in our forest. 

Amor, tristeza, y lucha . . 
Elena M. Herrada Elenaherrada@comcast.net
Sent by Dorinda Moreno

CALIFORNIA

Here are some California facts:

Chicanos/Latinos will become California’s majority ethnic group by 2042, according to numbers released in July 2007 by the state Department of Finance. By 2050, the Department predicts that 52 percent of all Californians, when whites will make up just 26 percent of the population.

These numbers portray a future California whose fortunes will increasingly depend on the skills of a predominantly non-white workforce.

Sent by Refugio Rochin, Ph.D.
rrochin@ucdavis.edu 

An old photo of the de la Ossa Adobe on display for the public. For 13 years, the de la Ossa Adobe at Los Encinos State Historic Park in Encino has sat shuttered because of the Northridge earthquake. Built by Vincente de La Ossa in 1849, the Californio adobe has been extensively restored and is scheduled to be reopened on Sunday during a celebration that will include historic garb, dancing, traditional crafts and games for kids. (John Lazar/L.A. Daily News Staff Photographer)

Of the hospitality to travelers along El Camino Real, (now Ventura Boulevard). Of the booms and busts in cattle, sheep and wheat.  And of a postwar building boom that cut up the rancho - and almost destroyed the historic adobe and bunkhouse.

dana.bartholomew@dailynews.com (818) 713-3730
http://dailynews.mycapture.com/mycapture/enlarge.asp?userphoto=0&image=15574185&thispage=1
Beautiful collection of family and adobe photos. . . which can be ordered.
DailyNews.com 7/20/07  Sent by Johanna De Soto CasaSanMiguel@aol.com

Sent by Juan Ramos, Ph.D. jramos.swkr@comcast.net

NORTHWEST UNITED STATES

Lacking Immigrants, Idaho Farmers Employ Prisoners

EFE-Univision, Posted: Jul 14, 2007

BOISE, Idaho -- Private employers last week began hiring prisoners to plant and harvest potatoes because immigrant workers have left the state in droves, according to a report by Spanish-language news service EFE on Univision. The number of prisoners that are working in Idaho's agricultural fields this year is nearly 10 times greater than that of last year, says Lt. Jim Woolf of the Idaho Department of Corrections. Immigrant workers have left the state in droves, according to Woolf, resulting in a shortage of farm workers. One cause of the exodus is a new law in Idaho that prohibits undocumented persons from accessing social service benefits. Local businessman Tom Sessions blames higher paying construction jobs in neighboring Wyoming for part of the labor shortage. According to the report, after the announcement that a border wall would be constructed between Mexico and the United States last September, Mexican workers left Idaho, leaving it 30 percent short of its required labor force. Colorado began using prison labor in its agricultural sector in May. Woolf says more businesses are interested in hiring prisoners, but the state cannot fill their demand.

Sent by Howard Shorr and Dr. Carlos Muñoz, Jr.

SOUTHWESTERN UNITED STATES

The Museum of Spanish Colonial Art presents the

56th Annual Traditional Spanish Market

July 28 & 29, 2007

Catherine Robles Shaw & Roxanne Shaw Galindo

Santa Fe, NM -- With the generous support of the Qwest Foundation, the rich Hispanic culture of Northern New Mexico will be celebrated at the 56th Annual Traditional Spanish Market, Saturday and Sunday, July 28 & 29, 2007 on the Santa Fe Plaza. A destination event for residents and visitors alike, Spanish Market features handcrafted traditional arts by 250 local Hispanic artists, continuous music, art demonstrations and regional foods, and provides a unique opportunity for visitors to enjoy a taste of New Mexico's vibrant Spanish culture, both past and present. Admission is free to the public.

The traditional artforms featured each year at Spanish Market include the following:

• Santos - depictions of religious figures in the forms of bultos (carvings in the round), retablos (paintings on wooden panels), and gesso and wood relief-carved panels.
• Hide Paintings - religious images painted on deer or elk hide
• Straw Appliqué - crosses, chests and boxes decorated with applied straw
• Textiles - hand-woven on looms using handspun yarns
• Furniture - usually made from pine using mortise and tenon joints
• Colcha - unique regional embroideries employing the colcha stitch
• Tinwork - decorative and utilitarian objects of cut and punched tin
• Ironwork - tools, fastenings, and household objects forged from iron
• Precious Metals - silver or gold jewelry, utilitarian and devotional objects
• Pottery - hand-sculpted bowls, pots, and other ware made from micaceous clay
• Bonework - decorative items, anillos (rings) and tool handles carved from bones
• Ramilletes - decorative paper garlands
• Basketry - baskets handwoven from red and brown river willow
  
  Spanish Market is organized and produced by the Spanish Colonial Arts Society which supports Hispanic artists through educational programs, grants, and the production of Spanish Market in July and Winter Spanish Market in December. These two major exhibitions give visitors a rare opportunity to meet some of the best Hispanic artists working in the region today.The Society's collection of more than 3,500 art objects is housed at the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art at 750 Camino Lejo (Museum Hill) in Santa Fe. The collections include Spanish colonial artforms covering four centuries and four continents.
  

For complete information on Spanish Market, Winter Market or the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, please contact 505-982-2226 or museum@spanishcolonial.org.
www.catherineroblesshaw.com  303-258-0544

genealogia.org.mx@gmail.com

Sent by ELSA PEÑA & WALTER L. HERBECK JR.
los-b@juno.com

Salsa, Soul, and Spirit identifies core leadership principles in communities of color and puts forth 
a socially responsible model that resonates with America’s growing diversity. Using a lively blend 
of personal reflections, interviews with dynamic leaders in Black, Latino, and American Indian communities, historical background, and insightful analysis, Salsa, Soul, and Spirit offers a culturally inclusive approach that encourages people to actively engage, contribute, and tap their potential.

Juana Bordas is a Denver community leader and Colorado Women Hall of Fame inductee. She is a founder of Mi Casa Women’s Center, served as the first President/CEO of the National Hispana Leadership Institute, and faculty at the Center for Creative Leadership. Currently Juana is president of Mestiza Leadership International and the Vice-President of the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership’s Board of Directors.   JBordas333@aol.com

"Using a sports analogy, leadership without an inclusive multi-cultural orientation would be like trying to play golf with a tennis racket. You can do it, but how poorly! Study the 8 beautifully illustrated and resourced principles in this book and you’ll find that they are both universal and timeless. Only by honoring and celebrating diversity can we synergistically produce unity, including peace and prosperity for all. Juana Bordas presents a compelling and inspiring analysis of the absolute need in the United States and the global community for multi-cultural leadership based on "earning" principle-centered moral authority.

—Stephen R. Covey, author, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and The 8th Habit:From Effectiveness to Greatness

"Salsa, Soul, and Spirit shows us the importance of looking at other cultures for the wisdom of their leadership practices. Many of these cultures have roots that pre-date western leadership models and offer a rich fountain of knowledge that can enhance American leadership."
—Ken Blanchard, coauthor of The One Minute Manager® and Leading at a Higher Level

"Frequently, people say it is too hard to have both excellence and diversity. Salsa, Soul and Spirit show not only why it doesn’t have to be that hard, but also why it is critically important at this moment in history to develop organizational leadership that is both excellent and diverse. People need to read this book."
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper

"Salsa, Soul, and Spirit is an inspiring vision of a new form of leadership for the 21st Century. Bordas captures the unique but successful models of leadership developed by racial and ethnic minorities. Our nation would greatly benefit from leaders who embody these traits."  Honorable Federico Peòa – former Denver Mayor

Christy Rodriguez rcrodri@comcast.net

On late Sunday afternoons, when shadows grow long in the Segundo Barrio, the crowds finally begin to thin on El Paso and Stanton streets. Cashiers sit patiently on high stools, watching shoppers navigate seas of brilliantly colored merchandise. After pesos or dollars change hands, the customers pack their last-minute bargains, perhaps a 12-pack of underwear for $3.99, into voluminous plastic bags or suitcases. Then the stragglers head back across the international bridges to Mexico, and the barrio's streets and alleys are enveloped by a blue dusk, as they have been for more than a century.

Sitting in a U-shaped curve of the Rio Grande, the Segundo is one of the oldest and most important Mexican-American neighborhoods in the United States. During the Mexican Revolution, it was home to spies, plotters, journalists, smugglers, and soldiers of fortune. Francisco Madero, the wealthy hacendado who first called for the revolution, lived for several months at various homes in the barrio while mapping his strategy to defeat Mexico's longtime ruler, Porfirio Díaz. Pancho Villa, a guerilla fighter enlisted by Madero, came often to meet arms dealers, to sleep with his wife, to eat ice cream from a dainty bowl at the Elite Confectionary. In a nearby neighborhood, Victoriano Huerta, the drunken dictator who engineered the coup that resulted in Madero's death, died from cirrhosis of the liver, his bed facing south toward Mexico. 

Less widely known, but equally fascinating, historical figures also found comfort and safety in the barrio. Henry Flipper, the first African-American graduate of West Point and one-time informant for A.B. Fall, the corrupt New Mexico senator and key figure in the Teapot Dome scandal, lived in a redbrick building that today houses a notary business. Teresa Urrea, a beautiful woman with miraculous healing powers expelled from Mexico because of her revolutionary activities, lived in the same building decades earlier. And Mariano Azuela, a former Villista doctor, published the first novel of the Mexican Revolution, Los de Abajo, in a building that once housed the printing press for the Spanish-language newspaper, El Paso del Norte. 


The barrio, also known as the Second Ward, has been the spiritual home and refuge for hundreds of thousands of people who emigrated from Mexico during turbulent times and fanned out to Los Angeles, Denver, and New York. 

It's a tightly knit community of churches, schools, medical clinics, libraries, stores, and families who have lived and worked there for generations. Through peso devaluations in Mexico and recessions in the United States, the small businesses in the Segundo have managed to survive by catering to customers no one else cares about: low-income Mexicans who walk over to El Paso to shop for the day, and residents of the barrio itself. While other sections of El Paso drop more tax dollars in the city's coffers, the mom-and-pop shops of Segundo still do roughly half a billion dollars in business a year. 

Some of the historic buildings are in need of renovation or repairs. Miraculously, many have escaped the wrecking ball. Now a powerful alliance of wealthy businessmen, aided by local politicians, is on the brink of seizing the barrio. If it's successful, hundreds of residents will be forced out of their homes. Businesses will be relocated. And the Segundo Barrio and surrounding neighborhoods gradually will be erased-"de-Mexicanized," some call it-and replaced with an arena, parking garages, condos, lofts, town homes, a "lifestyle retail" district, a "mixed-use" zone, a "mercado," and an "urban retail" outlet rumored to be a Wal-Mart or Target.
The redevelopment plan was drawn up behind closed doors over two years by the Paso del Norte Group, a civic organization of wealthy oligarchs, industrialists, real estate developers, and politicos from both sides of the border. (Members in the group reportedly must shell out $750 to $1,800 annually and are required to sign confidentiality agreements.)

Under the plan, roughly 325 acres between Interstate 10 and the Mexican border are targeted for redevelopment. Nearly 168 acres probably will be bulldozed, and another 157 acres designated a historical zone eligible for tax incentives. From the rubble, city leaders envision a shining new El Paso that will capitalize on its proximity to Mexico, become a destination spot for tourists, stem the drain of young people, create jobs, produce more affordable housing, and erase once and for all the notion that the city is somehow inferior to its distant cousins in Austin, San Antonio, and even Albuquerque.

The plan calls for a joint effort between the public sector and private investors. The city of El Paso will provide the infrastructure and muscle. Private developers will put up the money, pooling their cash in a financial vehicle called a real estate investment trust, or REIT, that will buy properties. 

"El Plan," as it's become known, was received with enthusiasm by El Paso's elected officials, including Mayor John Cook, a songwriter and father of six; City Councilwoman Susie Byrd, a good-government crusader; and 34-year-old Councilman Beto O'Rourke, a boyish-looking, fourth-generation El Pasoan who runs a Web-based technology business. 

"Wouldn't it be fun if there was this neat urban center with lots to do downtown? That's what we'd like to see for El Paso," says Kathryn Dodson, the city's economic development director. "It would be great for El Pasoans to go to a Starbucks downtown." 

The people whose homes and businesses might be razed to make way for latte-drinking Web surfers don't think the plan's so neat. Nor do politicians who once called the area home. "This does not pass my smell test. It's too heavily slanted toward a few wealthy families in El Paso," says Democratic state Rep. Paul Moreno, who grew up in the barrio. "I don't want to leave the impression that I don't want to see El Paso beautified. I just hate for people to come in and try to make El Paso like an Austin or a San Antonio. Our poverty does not permit it." 
Stuart Blaugrund, a Dallas lawyer who grew up in El Paso and represents a group of downtown businessmen, calls the proposed project the "largest land grab" in recent Texas history. The city of El Paso, he maintains, is a willing partner because it refuses to take the threat of eminent domain off the table. "All those stores, which no one in their right mind could say are blighted, are now vulnerable to being expropriated by the government and transferred from one private party-the owner-to another private party-the developer." 

Walter Kim, who heads the Korean Chamber of Commerce and has worked in the area for 25 years, led one of more than a dozen protests and rallies against the plan. "During the peso devaluation, we really struggled and suffered. No one helped us. We had to work hard every day, 365 days a year, 10 hours a day, to make downtown work. Now they love downtown and want to take it away from us. Come on, this is wrong. Right?" 

For several years, people in El Paso heard persistent whispers of a plan that would put El Paso on equal footing with world-class cities such as Miami or Chicago. But the plan remained an urban legend until March 31, 2006, when between 500 and 1,000 well-heeled members of the city's ruling class filed into the renovated Plaza Theatre. There, a group of San Francisco architects unveiled its futuristic vision of downtown, which actually didn't look much different than scores of other American cities: cybercafes, outdoor restaurants, a modern arena, art exhibitions, tree-shaded sidewalks, verdant parks, and urban hipsters. 

The taxpayers who were kept in the dark paid for the bulk of the costs associated with preparing the plan and conducting publicity efforts. (The city of El Paso contributed $250,000; another $260,000 came from a state Economic Development Administration grant, and the remaining $252,000 was put up by the Paso del Norte Group.) 

With roughly 350 members, the group is a who's who of the politically connected. The roster includes mayors, former governors, Gov. Rick Perry appointees, and extremely wealthy businessmen and land developers from El Paso, Juárez, New Mexico, and the state of Chihuahua, according to a list posted on the Web site of Paso del Sur, a group organized to fight the plan. Among the wealthiest are Woody Hunt, a Bush supporter and former member of the University of Texas Board of Regents who presides over a firm that has built more military housing than any other company in the United States; Eloy Vallina Garza, the son of Mexican businessman Eloy Vallina Laguera, whom Mexican sources say is one of the richest men in the state of Chihuahua; and billionaire real estate tycoon Bill Sanders, a hometown boy who has come back to remake El Paso. 

Now in his mid-60s, Sanders is the leading proponent of the redevelopment effort. Known as "Billy" by friends, he likes fast cars and off-road vehicles. He is secretive in his business dealings and normally shuns the media. But when the downtown plan was unveiled, he assumed a Bill Gates-like stance at the podium, hand chopping the air, glasses perched on his nose, explaining why it was great for El Paso. (Later, he would tell a reporter, "The biggest failure that I know of in the United States is El Paso.")