Somos Primos

 December 2007 
Editor: Mimi Lozano ©2000-7

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

  Letters to the Editor : 

The article about Miguel de Gracia, the slave, made me sad. The article about his life broke my heart. I look forward to the future articles about slaves.  Thank you so much for the monumental newsletter.
Manuel Quinones
Manuel.Quinones@AMEDD.ARMY.MIL   

HEROS

As we travel life's paths, 
in the back of our minds 
there should always be memories
of those who walked before us

Without knowing who they are
we lack the courage
to travel farther than we can see.

Discover your heroes, 
Keep them in the heart of your mind.
Let them live again 
as they walk with you, in pride. 

 Lupe Trujillo Fisher 

UNITED STATES

Texas State Capitol
July 1978

Front: Left to right, Daisy Wanda Garcia, Rep. Hugo Berlanga, Frances Zepeta, Gov. Dolph Briscoe, Marianna Tinoco, Rosa Ena Gutierrez, Jose Cano.  Back row:  Celestino Mendez, Unknown woman, Dr. Hector Garcia.

On June 4, 1976, my Papa (Dr. Hector P. Garcia) gave me an obscure book called "A Noose for Chipita," written by Vernon Smylie in 1970. Papa wanted me to read the book so we could discuss it. Smylie’s book documented a Mexican American’s experience during an era when there were no legal protections or due processes for us. Chepita’s tale takes place during the height of the Civil War in South Texas. During this era, more Mexican Americans were hanged than the total number of blacks hanged. Chepita was one of those statistics and earned the dubious distinction of being the last woman hanged legally in Texas.

Chepita Rodriguez, an elderly Mexican American woman, lived near San Patricio de Hibernia in the 1830's. Chepita lived in the thicket near the Arkansas River and earned her living by offering lodging to travelers. On August 23, 1863, a traveler, John Savage, supposedly stayed the night. Savage had gold from the sale of horses to the Confederate army in his possession. Some days later, Dora Welder and two slaves went to the river to wash clothes. Dora saw a gunnysack in the river with an arm protruding. When the Welder ranch hands pulled the gunnysack out of the Aransas River, they found John Savages’ body stuffed in the gunnysack. Later they found the gold downstream. When the sheriff, William Means went to interview Chepita, he found blood on the front porch of Chepita’s hut. Means felt he had enough evidence to arrest Chepita and her retarded handy man Juan Silvera on suspicion of murder since he found Savages’ body close to the hut and the blood on the front porch.

Sheriff Means kept Chepita chained to the wall under a lean to shed at the back of the courthouse during the duration of the trail and her execution. She did not have a change of clothes but wore the same clothes since the arrest. Some of the towns’ people took pity on Chepita and brought her food.

The trial caused the prejudiced attitudes to surface in San Patricio and the surrounding counties. In South Texas, the majority regarded Mexican Americans as less than human and not as valuable as farm animals or slaves. Some South Texans were outraged about a Mexican American killing an Anglo and tried to lynch Chepita on two occasions. "The Ranchero" a Corpus Christi paper ran an editorial praising the judge and the jury for their verdict: "Mexicans should not have the same rights in this state as Americans. We are decidedly pleased with our neighbors in San Patricio."

The trial lasted four days. Chepita was indicted, tried, convicted and sentenced to death during these four days. Chepita was executed one month later. The jurors empaneled in the Chepita Rodriguez trail were Owen Gaffney, Thomas Haley, E.S. Nash, John Henderson, James H. Toomey, James Gallagher, Cornelius McTiernan, George McCown, George Williams, J.E. Hendrickson, and Pat Hart.

At the trial, Chepita pleaded not guilty. The jury found her guilty and recommended mercy due to her age and the circumstantial evidence. Despite the recommendation, Judge Benjamin Franklin Neil ordered her executed on November 13, 1863.

In 1889, a fire destroyed most of the court records from Chepita’s trail. The surviving written accounts of the trail describe glaring discrepancies and irregularities in the proceedings. In Texas and other southwestern states, the courts systematically excluded Mexican Americans from jury service. Therefore, Chepita did not have trial by a jury of her peers. There was no jury panel for the grand jury or trial jury. The sheriff rounded up people off the streets for jury service. Four members of the trial jury were indicted for felonies, one for murder. The sheriff William Means who arrested Chepita served as the jury foreman. Conflicts of interest existed because the defense councils, the judge and prosecutor had convoluted business relationships. According to the records, Chepita responded in Spanish "No soy culpable," when questioned. Therefore, she may not have understood what was happening at the trial. No one could understand why Judge Neal was determined to hang Chepita. During this period, it was customary to continue capital cases including murder from term to term. Much later, these cases were finally disposed of under the following motion,

"Now comes the District Attorney on behalf of the state and states he will no longer prosecute the case."

Then the court dismissed the defendant. The judge or the District Attorney never afforded this opportunity to Chepita Rodriguez. Judge Neal sentenced Chepita to death based on circumstantial evidence. The judge would not have given a death sentence had Chepita not been Mexican American.

The hanging took place during a rainstorm on November 13, 1863. It was a horrible spectacle. The force of the hanging did not break Chepita’s neck since she was frail. Instead, she strangled to death for what was a long time. Finally, the hangman cut her down and placed her in the coffin. Jack McGowan, an eyewitness heard groans from the coffin as the hangman lowered it into the grave. The hangman buried her body in an unmarked grave close to the hanging tree. Many of the locals felt the hanging brought a curse on their town. One citizen was reputed to say, "Tis a black day for San Patricio. We have brought a curse upon our town."

Chepita’ tale "shocked my father’s conscience." He felt outrage by the cruel treatment Chepita suffered at the hands of the law. In his opinion, the only form of redress was for the governor to pardon Chepita. I asked Papa what difference it made to Chepita if she received a pardon now. Papa replied that Chepita was not guilty and getting a pardon for her was the right thing to do.

Papa began his advocacy work on behalf of Chepita in 1978. In typical Garcia fashion, Papa gathered a contingent of American G.I. Forum members. The members were Daisy Wanda Garcia (me), Rep. Hugo Berlanga, Frances Zepeda, Celestino Mendez, Marianna Tinoco, Rosa Ena Gutierrez, and Jose Cano. In addition, Papa recruited the help of his sister, Dr. Cleo Garcia.

Papa believed in starting at the top. Therefore, we met with Governor Dolph Briscoe seeking a pardon for Chepita. The governor referred the matter to the attorney general who ruled there were no provisions in Texas for pardoning a dead person. Then, Papa approached the Texas legislators. Their mantra was the same. All we met with agreed that Chepita Rodriguez had not received a fair trial, but no one knew how to redress the wrong.

These setbacks did not deter my father. His strategy was to bring visibility to the situation. Between my father and Dr. Cleo, the story got out. A community activist Mary Lou Cantu recalls Dr. Cleo speaking about Chepita at community events. By the time Dr. Hector and Dr. Cleo were finished, Chepita Rodriguez was the subject of two operas, a poem, books, newspaper articles and magazine accounts.

Nine years later in 1985, the San Patricio County Attorney requested Texas Senator Carlos Truan to pass legislation that provided symbolic redress to Chepita Rodriguez.

I asked my father how he felt about the legislation. My father shook his head sadly and commented that the "symbolic redress" was not a pardon. In typical Garcia Style, Dr. Hector decided to conduct his own historical investigation of the Chepita Incident. On Sunday, July 30, 1989, Dr. Hector with Maria and Tomas Ramirez, Nicolas Medios an American G.I. Forum member from Mathis, TX, and Humberto Navarez, a photographer journeyed to San Patricio de Hibernia. Their purpose was to lay a historical marker on the site of the hanging, and have a mass said for the repose of Chepita’s soul.

The group met with Angel and Rafaela Serna and Josefa Garcia, Serna’s mother the current owners of the tract where the hanging reportedly occurred. The land was located off Calle Nopal that ran for 3 miles and ended at the river. Serna pointed out two mesquite trees on the property certified over one hundred years old. Dr. Hector named them tree number 1 and tree number 2. Tree number 1 was a big tree with a trunk about two feet in diameter having branches that touched the ground. Apparently lightening had struck one side of tree number 1. According to the Serna family history, his parents and grandparents saw orbs of light on tree number 1. Tree number 2 was located in a cactus thicket. The diameter of the trunk was about 24 inches. Mr. Serna said his family dug trenches near tree number 2 and uncovered a makeshift grave. The grave contained human bones, hairs and a billfold. The grave was located about twenty feet from the trunk of the tree number 2.

The county ordered Angel Serna to move his house because they wanted to sell Serna’s land to a developer. Nothing more transpired from Dr. Hector’s historical investigation according to Maria Ramirez and Amador Garcia.

If Vernon Smylie had not documented the history, my father would have never learned about Chepita Rodriguez. Moreover, if my father and Dr. Cleo had not brought public awareness to the situation, Chepita never would have received the symbolic redress from the state of Texas. Perhaps now the spirit of Chepita Rodriguez can rest.

The local legend is that Chepita wanders the banks of the Arkansas River every time a woman is sentenced to death. Sometimes, Chepita materializes with a noose still hanging around her neck. We will never know what actually happened on that August day in 1863, or whether the hanging brought a curse on the town of San Patricio de Hibernia, Texas. The natural law of cause and effect came into play though. Today, only a state marker denotes that the once thriving town of San Patricio de Hibernia existed. One year after the hanging, lightening struck the tree and the locals used the remains for firewood. A higher court judged those who convicted Chepita Rodriguez and those who allowed the execution to proceed. They are all equal now.

The Rio Grande Rises
By DOUGLAS J. BESHAROV, Op-Ed Contributor,  NYTimes.com, October 1, 2007

This is just one more reason why the children of Hispanics.. legal and illegal should be given access to the best education possible.. because given the opportunity of an education and to learn English, in just a few years, they will become an important sector of productive members of society, that will be needed to fill the jobs vacated by a retiring boomer generation, becoming important tax payers, and will continue to make our country the most prosperous nation on earth.   Euribe000

Sent by Jose M. Pena 

Equality in Education

Mendez v. Westminster  Commemorative Stamp 
Special Dedication, Thursday, November 15, 2007

Photo: Ted Snyder, Writer/Editor, United States Postal Service

This year marks 60years since the case of Mendez v. Westminster School District was resolved. Special events have been held all over the nation. The actual formal first issuance and unveiling of a U.S. Postal Stamp commemorating the history was held September 14th at the Gonzalo and Felicita Mendez Fundamental Intermediate School in Santa Ana.   My friend Lupe Trujillo Fisher and I both attended the ground breaking of the Mendez school years ago and attended the unveiling in Santa Ana on the 14th.  It was all very exciting.

During the event in Santa Ana, Lupe and I wondered aloud why we couldn't have an event like this in Westminster. It seemed most appropriate.  Our conversation was overheard by an employee of the U.S. Postal Service. She gave the suggestion that we look into the idea of having a second day issuance of the Mendez stamp.  She cautioned us that it was very unusual, but recommended that we speak to the Postal Service administrators that were present from D.C.. because they could make a decision on the spot.  We spoke to a group that included David E. Failor, Executive Director of Stamp Services, Darlene Yoerger and Darlene Suarez Casey from Washington, D.C. and Richard Maher, Florinda M. Bailey, and Bob Lockovich  administrators in the area Post Office headquarters in Santa Ana.       

Lupe is a Cultural Arts Commissioner for the City of Westminster.  We made quick contact with Mayor Margie Rice, who in turned out had  already communicated with Richard Maher, Public Affairs and Communications, that first day issuance held in Santa Ana should have been held in Westminster.  Mayor Rice was delighted with our news.  

Lupe and I are both members of the Westminster LULAC Council, 3017.  We shared our feeling that the event should be memorable for the children.  Our goal was for the children to understand the efforts that were made for them,  a reason to value, to cherish their education.   We decided to schedule the week before Thanksgiving, as a community-wide unifying event.  Invitations were sent to elected officers, community leaders, church leaders, educators, and members of all the five families that were a part of the case, the Mendez, Palomino, Ramirez, Estrada, and Guzman families.

We were fortunate to get full and the complete support of Mayor Margie Rice, her City Council, and the Superintendent of the Westminster School District, Dr. Sharon Nordheim.  

The city of Westminster hosted the event in their very beautiful and new,  The Rose Center Theater.  Tim Nelson, Director of 
The Rose Center Theater coordinated the use of the building and movement on stage.  The Westminster Police Department supplied                   Photo: Ted Snyder
the Color Guard, and LaVada Cordasco City 
Cable TV Production Supervisor video-taped
 the occasion.

Dr. Nordheim  made arrangements for each of the Westminster School District's 17 schools to participate.  She requested that the student body officers of each school attend the event.  She also arranged for Warner Middle School Band to play during the event,  and approved a Westminster School choir be organized for the event.  The coordination that Dr. Nordheim and Linda Baxter, Assistant Superintendent provided for everything to fall in place so beautifully was amazing.  In two months the program was in place. 

It was a wonderful, coordinated event, made successful by the very kind support of the post office.  The United States Postal Service provided the invitations,  printed the program, and prepared the second day issuance cancellation.  Lupe put her creativity to work and designed a perfect cancellation.  Richard Maher, Public Affairs and Communications polished Lupe's design.  showing that the City of Westminster and Westminster School District joined hands on November 15  in celebration of the very historical event that took place in the City of Westminster 60 years ago. The Mendez  v Westminster decision set a precedent for the desegregation of schools.  

Organizing committee, front, left to right,  Dr. Sharon Nordheim, Mayor Margie Rice, 
Mimi Lozano, Sylvia Mendez, Gonzalo Mendez, Lupe Fisher
Middle row: Florinda M. Baily, Richard Maher, Bob Lockovich
Back row: Debra Hill, Nancy Cartwright,Tim Nelson.

National Park Service News Release

Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta, Hero Nominated for Medal of Honor
A Recovering American Soldier, Sent a Christmas Card
Petition for Camarena U.S. Postal Stamp
Defend the Honor Website 
Free DNA testing kits
POW website has been updated

Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta

Hero Nominated for Medal of Honor

BY
Mercy Bautista-Olvera

Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta was born on April 7, 1979 in Mexico City; he was the son of Rafael Peralta Sr. and Rosa Romero-Peralta; older brother to Icela, Karen and Ricardo. The family moved to Tijuana, Mexico, where Rafael attended elementary and junior high school. Eventually the family moved to San Diego, California where Rafael attended and graduated from Morse High School in San Diego, California in 1997. His father died in a job related accident in 2001.

Rafael, a Mexican immigrant, enlisted in the Marine Corps the day he received his green card, his dream was to become a Marine.

Rafael was proud to live in United States and to serve his adopted country. In his parent’s home, on his bedroom walls hung only three items – a copy of the United States Constitution, the Bill of Rights and his boot camp graduation certificate. Not many young adults take the time to read the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, or commemorate them, as Rafael had done.

On November 2003, Peralta was assigned to the 1^st battalion, 3^rd Marine Regiment, 3^rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Marine Corps Base, in Kaneohe, Hawaii. After his term, he re-enlisted for four more years and eventually deployed to Iraq.

In March 2004, Fallujah was the site of one of the war's signature horrors: four American security contractors were killed and their charred corpses were dragged through the streets and hung from a bridge. Coalition forces were assigned to the area, including Peralta's platoon. 

Peralta was a platoon scout who regularly joined six-man "stacks" as they cleared houses one by one, block by block, never sure what they would encounter when they kicked in the front door.

While he was away, he wrote to his family telling his brother and sisters to do well in school and care for each other. According to his sister Icela, he would tell his mom that there was a possibility that he might not come back. Marine Sgt. Peralta sent this last message to his brother Ricardo prior to his death.

Rafael on (right) with soldier in Iraq

Rafael Peralta (second from left)

On November 15, 2004 Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta, the 25-year-old Kaneoche-based Marine, died in the Anbar province of Iraq. Lance Corporal T. J. Kaemmerer’s, combat Correspondent attached to Peralta’s company, recounted Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta’s extreme valor. On that fatal day, Peralta with his squad had cleaned three houses without incident. When they approached the fourth house, Peralta with rifle in hand, threw open the door, inside three insurgents with AK-47's fired throughout the house, hitting Peralta several times in his upper torso and face. Severely wounded, he managed to wrench himself out to give his fellow Marines a clear line of fire. Mortally wounded, he jumped to an adjoining room to give the soldiers a way to fight back. While four Marines were firing from the adjoining room, "a yellow, foreign-made oval-shaped grenade bounced into the room, rolling to a stop close to Peralta’s lifeless body." Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta’s reached out and pulled the grenade into his body to protect his squad, his courage and sacrifice shielded his five comrades-in-arms from the worst of the blast by Peralta’s last act.

That night Corporal Richard A. Mason, an infantryman with Headquarters platoon, told Lance Corporal T.J. Kaemmerer, "You’re still here, don’t forget that. Tell your kids, your grandkids, what Sergeant Peralta did for you and the other Marines today."

Sgt. Rafael Peralta’s remains were sent to San Diego, for services at the San Diego Marine Corps Recruit Depot. Burial and military honors followed at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in Point Loma, California. For his fellow Marines this was a time of remembrance and reflection. "He saved half my fire team," said Corporal Brannon Dyer, of Blairsrville Georgia

            Photo taken by Smash, Photo posted by Blackfive

SGT. Rafael Peralta, USMC 4/7/1979 – 11/15/204 "Our Loving Hero"

Months later in a number of speeches, President Bush referred to Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta’s heroism and sacrifice. Sgt. Rafael Peralta posthumously, received the Purple Heart Medal, and is in consideration for posthumously receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor.

On April 11, 2006 Peralta's family was in Hawaii to accept the state's Medal of Honor. This special medal is awarded on behalf of the people of the state of Hawaii to an individual killed in action while serving our country as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

On April 24, 2006, the San Diego Police Department granted Peralta’s wish, posthumously tapping him as an honorary member. After his service from the Marine Corps, Rafael had planned to be a member of the San Diego Police Department. "We would have hired him the second he came out of the Marine Corps." San Diego Police Chief William Lansdowne told the audience at the Bob Hope Theater at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station. Lansdowne presented Peralta’s mother with the same type of badge worn by the San Diego Police.

On September 22, 2007, the Hansen Building in Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan was named in honor of Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta.

Rosa Peralta, the mother of Sgt. Rafael Peralta, and Lt. General Richard C. Zilmer,the III Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general, unveil a Plaque in remembrance of Sgt. Peralta on Camp Hansen.
 (Photo by Cpl. Knstofer Atkinson).

Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta’s mother, Rosa Peralta, and her family flew from San Diego to Japan to attend the ceremony. Mrs. Peralta and General Richard C. Zilmer, the III Marine Expeditionary Force commanding General unveiled the placard and cut the ribbon on the building’s entrance, commemorating her son’s sacrifice. General Zilmer then said... "Today we honor the life, service and act of bravery of a man who personified our core values." He further stated, "We pay homage to his sacrifice by dedicating this building in his memory so that future generations of Marines and sailors will learn of Sgt. Peralta’s valor, and just as importantly, never forget his selfless deeds, on the battlefield."

In December 2004, California Congressman Bob Filner introduced legislation to award Sgt. Rafael Peralta, the Congressional Medal of Honor, for sacrificing his life to save others.

Interested readers are encouraged to contact their respective U.S. Senators and Congressional representatives to petition that Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta receive the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Combat Action Ribbon
                                   National Defense Service       Observe                                   Back 

    
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary

God’s Marines: www.godsmarines.com
History Channel/The Act of Honor: www.historyenespanol.com
(Videos, English and Spanish, History Channel, "Act of Honor" episode about Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta)
http://www.historyenespanol.com/espanol/elhonor/aoh_videos.jsp

The Mudville Gazette: www.mudvillegazette.comhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafael_Peralta

Wikepedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafael_Peralta(Video)

To read Kaemmerer's Dec. 2, 2004 account of Peralta's final moments, go to http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/frontpagenews and enter "Rafael Peralta" in the search bar.

Marines the Few the Proud, U.S. Marines in Japan:
http://www.marines.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/lookupstoryref/200792651122

League of United American Citizens: http://www.lulac.org/advocacy/resolutions/2007/mi12.html

Rosa Rosales
LULAC National President
League of United American Citizens: http://www.lulac.org/advocacy/resolutions/2007/mi12.html
Sent by Mercy Bautista-Olvera: scarlett_mbo@yahoo.com

Sent by IPagan7371

It's taken us about 4 years and dozens of people to get it together... and there will be some tweaking for the next several months... but  check out our wonderful new website!
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/ww2latinos/
Sent by Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez, Ph.D. 

Free DNA testing kits
You can call the on-line for your free kits of how many you need.   
http://www.smgf.org/ 1-800-344-7643
Sent by Bonnie Chapa thechapas@yahoo.com


POW website has been updated: Please go to the NEWS section of http://www.us-japandialogueonpows.org/
One of the American POWs who were forced to work to build the Burma Railway of Death, Mr. Howard Brooks, talks about his experiences.
Sent by Rafael Ojeda

They offer reduced tuition if you earn between 40,000 and 60,000. To find out more about Harvard offering free tuition for families making less than $40,000 a year visit Harvard's financial aid website at: http://www.fao.fas.harvard.edu/; or call the school's financial aid office at (617) 495-1581.

By Manuel Hernández-Carmona
mannyh32@yahoo.com

Cesar Chavez Academy, Charter School

Grade Span: Pre-K-8 Locale: Rural Total Students: 1,100 Race/Ethnicity Enrollment: 75% Hispanic, 23% white, 1% African American, 1% Native American Free and Reduced-Price Lunch Eligible: 62% English Language Learners: 46% Special Education Students: 13% Percentage Proficient*: In Grade 3 — Reading, over 80%; Math, over 80%. In Grade 5 — Reading, over 60%; Math, 70%. In Grade 8 — Reading, 80%; Math, over 50%. * According to 2007 results on state exam. Interesting Fact: Since the 2001 opening, enrollment at Cesar Chavez Academy has more than quadrupled, from 240 to 1,100 students, while 3,000 are on the waiting list.

Principal Lawrence Hernandez is quick to correct anyone who tells him low-income parents do not care about their children's education. Pointing to his charter school as proof positive, he says, "The most powerful thing they've done is to have chosen an option for their kids."

In fact, it was seeing "the urgency of parents who wanted something better for their children" that compelled Hernandez, his wife, Annette, and several community activists to create the Cesar Chavez Academy (CCA) six years ago as a public school choice for the largely rural and Latino community of Pueblo, Colo. "For the longest time," he explains, "the parents who had influence always got what was best for their kids, and sort of everybody else—which was the other 90 percent of people in the community—would hope that their children got a good education. But when we came along, what we really did was galvanize the entire community."

By drawing on charter privileges that allow greater autonomy than traditional public schools in exchange for promised results, CCA offers students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade a longer school day, smaller classes and a more rigorous curriculum requiring any assignment receiving a grade below 80 percent to be redone. According to the results from last year's state exam, its students in grades 3-8 outperformed others at both the district and state levels in reading, writing and math by an average of 25 percentage points. For the past three years, CCA—which was recently featured in a publication from the U.S. Department of Education spotlighting K-8 charter schools that have closed the achievement gap—has ranked in the top 8 percent of schools statewide based on overall academic performance.

Attracted to the school's special features, Lynn Rodriguez was one of the first parents to enroll her children at CCA. She transferred all three of her sons, hoping the school's tutoring programs, in particular, would help shore up her oldest son's skills.

Her expectations were exceeded.

"[Compared to] what they were learning in their [traditional] public schools," she said, "at Cesar Chavez Academy ... it seemed to me they were getting their education two years ahead. All my boys have always said, 'They teach us to think at a higher level.'"

Since the 2001 opening, enrollment at CCA has more than quadrupled, from 240 to 1,100 students, while 3,000 are on the waiting list. (Spaces are awarded by lottery.) A number of parents drive their children from as far as 30 miles away for one of the school's coveted seats. The principal's two youngest children attend the school as well as most of the staff's.

To meet the rising demand, in 2004, Hernandez, along with a committee of parents and business and community leaders, also founded locally a college prep high school, which now has 500 students, and next fall will open another Cesar Chavez Academy in an area in Colorado Springs with similar demographics.

While CCA was intended to serve Pueblo's low-income population—of which nearly one in three Latinos lives in poverty—now it is more common to see "in the same classroom a child of a doctor or lawyer sitting next to a child of a migrant farm worker," said Hernandez. "That's a powerful statement for the kind of choices parents are making for their kids."

Based on the founders' philosophy that "schooling is most effective when it respects and reflects the history and culture of the children and families that it is intended to benefit," Latino traditions are celebrated throughout the school. Students take Spanish every day. After-school activities include playing in the "Mariachi Aguila" band, which recently placed second in an international competition. Adorning the walls is various artwork of an aguila, or eagle, the symbol of the Mexican-American civil rights movement led by the school's namesake, César Chávez.

Raised in Pueblo in an economically disadvantaged neighborhood, Hernandez understands firsthand the challenges faced by many of the families his school serves. He was the first in his family to go to college (afterward earning his master's and doctorate degrees at Stanford University, and later teaching at Harvard's School of Education). While it was his mother who taught him to read and his father who secured a small scholarship to help pay tuition, he said he received little to no guidance from the school system. The experience gave him the impetus for developing a supportive school that helps make college possible for under-resourced children.

In preparation for the academic rigors of higher education, CCA students do research papers as early as the fourth grade and are required to assemble a portfolio of their best work, complete a thesis project in history or science, and give a series of oral presentations as part of their graduation requirements. Keeping them on their toes, they also must deliver impromptu speeches and papers for what is respectively called "Stand and Deliver" and "Writing on Demand." Hernandez has been known to walk into a room without notice and announce a topic that students must immediately address.

For those who want to take on greater challenges, CCA offers an honors curriculum for fifth- through eighth-graders that allows them to complete their high school freshman coursework, so by the time they graduate they can go directly into the 10th grade.

Nancy Gordon, one of the school's founding teachers, said the high standards have been a lifesaver for many of the struggling students who arrive. "When the children come in so low, we don't just want to make a year's growth—we want to pull them up even further."

CCA's academic program is designed to help ensure that no one fails. To help students exceed the 80-percent benchmark required for every assignment, teachers provide one-on-one tutoring after school as well as on Saturdays. Assessments are constantly administered to gauge student performance, providing data for teachers to customize instruction, develop individual student achievement plans, and, if necessary, enlist the assistance of the school's prevention specialist who will make home visits to build parent support.

Furthermore, because the typical school day is from 7:20 a.m. to 6 p.m.—eight hours of classroom instruction followed by after-school enrichment activities in which all students must participate—more time is devoted to learning.

With a longer school day, coupled with a small-class ratio of one teacher to 13 students, the staff is able to cover more material and give more individualized attention. Last year, to help maintain student-teacher connections, CCA was organized into three separate academies: pre-kindergarten through second grades; third through fifth grades; and middle school (sixth through eighth grades).

The reorganization has provided a greater network of support, especially for new educators, says Candice Leland, who joined CCA last year. As part of teacher collaborative efforts, Leland meets with her fifth-grade writing team, her academy colleagues, and her teacher mentor. She also likes the idea that students see only two teachers a day through grade 3 and from thereon a teacher for every subject. "I really think that benefits the students because it allows the teacher to get really strong in one subject, and then the students get the best of everything."  — By Nicole Ashby

Biding their tongues 

'Hello' or 'hola'? For speakers of both English and Spanish, quickly deciding which language to use can be tricky. There are plenty of cues.
By Stuart Silverstein, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer, November 12 2007

Cuban-born Maria Carreira, the coauthor of two college Spanish textbooks, can glide easily between her native tongue and English. But in her daily life in Southern California, picking which language to speak can be very complicado. 

Such as the time when she was at a taco stand where everyone seemed to be ordering and chatting in Spanish. Carreira started placing her order en español, but she quickly switched to English after she got a look at the young employee behind the counter. "He had the bluest eyes," Carreira said.

Carreira, a linguist who teaches at Cal State Long Beach and an expert in the use of Spanish in the United States, acknowledges that she blundered at the taco joint. Though the counterman responded in English, it dawned on her that he had been capably handling orders in Spanish.

Yet her flub reflects a tricky language-etiquette question confronted daily by the nation's growing ranks of English-Spanish bilinguals: When to use inglés and when to speak Spanish?

Not everyone is charmed by the budding bilingualism. Some Americans resent the widespread use of Spanish, particularly at government agencies and public schools. "Our government has gone way too far in encouraging people not to learn English," said Jim Boulet Jr., executive director of Springfield, Va.-based English First, an advocacy group that is working to make English the nation's official language.

Boulet and other critics also complain that Spanish sometimes is used to exclude, or gossip about, people who speak only English.

Still, among the estimated 18 million Americans proficient in both languages, according to the U.S. Census in September, the issue isn't whether to speak English or Spanish, but when. There's the delicate matter of courtesy -- and avoiding bruised feelings. Occasionally, Carreira said, "it's a land mine."

For example, switching to Spanish might seem rude if it suggests the other speaker is inept in English. Yet among Latinos proud of their ethnic heritage, completely avoiding Spanish can come across as standoffish.

Experts such as Carreira say the language decision among bilinguals is often made in a split second, based on cues such as age, clothing and apparent social status -- along with skin, eye and hair color. Location also can be important: Is the venue East Los Angeles or West L.A.?

Names can be giveaways -- or traps. When UCLA student Maricruz Ceceña introduced herself with a friendly hola to one of her freshman-year dormitory roommates, Laura Sanchez, and then tried to strike up a phone conversation in Spanish, all she got was an earful of English.  Ceceña, a child of Mexican immigrants who grew up speaking Spanish in Lynwood, had assumed too much.

Sanchez can get by fairly well in Spanish but is much more comfortable in English, which was the primary language in her upper-middle-class Mexican American home in Oakland. She said she sometimes is intimidated by friends and acquaintances who speak Spanish much better than she does.

"You don't want them to see that you don't speak as well," Sanchez said, calling the quality of her Spanish a "very personal" issue. 

Despite the initial awkward moments, three years later Sanchez and Ceceña remain friends. But they do that, in part, by keeping their conversations in English. As with all etiquette, making the other person comfortable is key.

K.C. McAlpin recalls making small talk recently with a night-crew janitor from Central America who was working at his office. The conversation started in English, but McAlpin, who grew up in Texas and worked in Latin America in the 1970s, decided to help the janitor when "she got hung up on some word." The conversation then resumed in Spanish.

The location for their chat? The Arlington, Va., headquarters of ProEnglish, another group that promotes making English the nation's official language. McAlpin is the group's executive director.

In other situations, an emotion or habit dictates which language is used. For instance, Helen Gilstrap, a public relations manager for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, conducts business in both languages. But when she prays, it's only in Spanish.

The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-etiquette12nov12,0,265707.story?coll
=la-home-local

Visit latimes.com at http://www.latimes.com
Sent by Viola Sadler vrsadler@aol.com

La Opinión, Posted: Nov 09, 2007

LOS ANGELES – Spanish-language newspaper La Opinión is the fastest growing paid newspaper in the country, according to a report by the Audit Bureau of Circulations. Its paid circulation increased by 3.57 percent in the last six months, the fastest increase among national newspapers with a circulation of more than 50,000. The newspaper also ranks first in growth of its Saturday edition, a rate of growth of 4.76 percent, compared with newspapers with a circulation of more than 100,000. “While other newspapers are fighting the drop in their circulation, La Opinión focuses on news that is relevant to our audience at a time when our deep connection with the community has clearly translated into an increase in circulation and in our number of readers,” said publisher Mónica Lozano.

Robert and Linda Alvarado, who bought 52 pizza huts in New Mexico, and now own 130 Taco Bells, Pizza Huts and KFCs. (Post / John Prieto)the Rockies have so many Latino players." "I like the Mexicans," said Victor Garcia, a recent Mexican immigrant and waiter at a Mexican restaurant in Fruita. He said he had never paid much attention to baseball before but was trying, between serving margaritas, to keep track of a game on a TV mounted next to a religious shrine over the bar at Fiesta Guadalajara.  

The excitement isn't omnipresent with Colorado's Latino population. 
"Someone had to tell me who won," said Grand Junction businessman Francisco Cervantes, following the Rockies' march through the playoffs.

"We like soccer. That is our game." Cervantes' eyes widened when he learned the Rockies had so many Latino players and a Latina co-owner. 
"Wow. Really? I didn't know that. That's good," Cervantes said. 
The Rockies organization also has been working to lure that potential fan base with Spanish-language pocket schedules and Spanish broadcasts of the games on KMXA radio. 

From the Rockies' early days when Andres Galarraga and Vinny Castilla were stars on the diamond, Latino youths have been guests at games as part of a program with Boys and Girls Clubs in the Denver area. They are able to go into the clubhouse to learn about sports medicine and into the broadcast booths to learn about journalism, in addition to enjoying baseball and seeing themselves on the Jumbo- Tron. 

The team participates in events for the Latin American Education Foundation. Players have donated money to build youth baseball fields in Greeley and Longmont.  "There are millions of opportunities. This is clearly a fan base we are paying great attention to," Alvarado said. 

Her greatest youth baseball thrill was sweeping off home plate when her father was a catcher in a recreational league. She was inspired by that to become a catcher on her high school softball team. 

Alvarado, who owns one of the largest construction companies in Denver, said she has no doubt baseball - particularly with so many Latino players helping take a team to the World Series - can be a unifying as well as inspiring venue. 

"The message is, 'It's not just going to a game. It's not just wanting to be a great baseball player,"' she said. "'Maybe someday you can be an owner. You can play in the big leagues."' 

For more information on the Bay Area Gardeners Foundation: catalinotapia@sbcglobal.net
Bay Area Gardeners Foundation,
P.O. Box 3446,
Redwood City, CA 94064
Phone: (650) 670-2566

More immigrants choosing Europe over U.S
BY FRANCES ROBLES, Miami Herald, November 6, 2007

Anti-Spanish Legends

Hispanic Medal of Honor recipients, Part 10
True Stories on High Levels

This is the tenth part of the Hispanic Medal of Honor series which consists of the short biographies of Vietnam War recipients Euripides Rubio*, Hector Santiago-Colon* , Elmelindo Rodrigues Smith* and Jay R. Vargas Jr.

In this, the tenth part of the Hispanic Medal of Honor series you will read of the heroic acts of two Puerto Ricans, recipients Capt. Euripides Rubio and Sp4c Hector Santiago-Colon. It is a sad reality that these two men, like all the other Puerto Ricans who have given their lives for the United States were American citizens who were not allowed to vote for the President of the United States whose actions sent them to combat in the first place. Some things are just not right. You will also read about a Marine of Mexican descent who survived the war and retired with the rank of Colonel. Finally, you will read about a Hispanic whose heritage was unknown, a case similar to David B. Barkley.

During my research for various articles, I have uncovered the Hispanic heritage of many of our military heroes whose names and surnames are of non-Hispanic origin, but who are no less Hispanic then any of who do have Hispanic surnames. We must always remember that Hundreds of families of non-Hispanic origin moved to Latin American during the mid 19^th Century, fleeing from the economic and political changes occurring in Europe. These families from Germany, France, Italy, Ireland etc. not only made positive contributions to our "Latin" culture, but most intermarried with the locals. We mustn’t forget the many of our people have also immigrated to the United States and in many cases have intermarried with non-Hispanics, yet their off springs are considered Hispanics. Therefore, you can imagine how proud I felt when I found out that heroes such as Brigadier General Mihiel "Mike" Gilormini, Rear Admiral George E. "Rico" Mayer, Colonel Virgil Rasmuss Miller , Rear Admiral Frederick Lois Riefkohl and Captain Humbert Roque "Rocky" Versace are believe it or not are Hispanics mixed with non-Hispanic heritage.

Which brings me to discuss the case of one of our heroes of Hispanic descent , S/Sgt. Elmelindo Rodrigues Smith who has a non-Hispanic second surname. Rodrigues Smith’s case is similar to World War I Medal of Honor recipient Pvt. David B. Barkley whose Hispanic roots were unknown until it was discovered that the "B." in his name stood for "Benes" which was his mothers surname proving his Hispanic heritage.

In 1899, Puerto Rico's sugar industry was devastated by two hurricanes. The devastation was such that as a result there was a world wide shortage in sugar and a huge demand for the product from Hawaii. Hawaiian sugar plantation owners began to recruit the jobless, but experienced laborers in Puerto Rico, especially from the southwestern region of the island where the surnames of Rodriguez and Rodrigues are common (similar to the variations of Gonzalez and Gonzales). According to the State of Hawaii Data Book 1982, by the year 1910, there were 4,890 Puerto Ricans living in Hawaii, among them John Rodrigues from Ponce, Puerto Rico who was Elmelindo Rodrigues Smith’s ancestor. Rodrigues is a common surname in Wahiawa, Hawaii and it is a common practice to use the surnames of both parents as is the custom in most Hispanic cultures. During the 1960’s the term Hispanic did not exist and when you joined the Armed Forces of the United States, it would be a common practice for us "Hispanics" to use only one surname (the second one) and classify ourselves as "Caucasian" in our applications, hence: Elmelindo Rodrigues Smith’s name appeared as "Name: Elmelindo R. Smith" and his "Race: Caucasian" in his military records making it difficult to discover his Hispanic heritage until now.

Therefore, when we talk about our heroes let us always remember and include Rodrigues Smith who, despite the fact that his surname is non-Hispanic, was just as much a Hispanic as Medal of Honor recipients David B. Barkley, Lucian Adams, Miguel Keith, Louis R. Rocco and Humbert Roque Versace who were Hispanics with non-Hispanic surnames.

Note: "*" after a name indicates that the person was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously.

Captain Euripides Rubio (March 1, 1938 – November 8, 1966), born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, was a United States Army captain who was posthumously awarded the United States' highest military decoration for valor — the Medal of Honor for actions on November 8, 1966 during the Vietnam War. Rubio was a member of the U.S. Army, H&H Co., 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division, RVN.

On November 8, 1966 at Tay Ninh Province in the Republic of Vietnam, Captain Rubio's company came under attack from the North Vietnamese Army; leaving the safety of his post, Rubio received two serious wounds as he braved the intense enemy fire to distribute ammunition, re-establish positions and render aid to the wounded. Despite his pain, he assumed command when a rifle company commander was medically evacuated. He was then wounded a third time as he tried to move amongst his men to encourage them to fight with renewed effort.

While aiding the evacuation of wounded personnel, he noted that a U.S. smoke grenade, which was intended to mark the Viet Cong's position for an air strike, had fallen dangerously close to friendly lines — he ran to move the grenade, but was immediately struck to his knees by enemy fire. Despite his wounds, Rubio managed to collect the grenade and run through enemy fire to within 20 meters of the enemy position and throw the by-then already smoking grenade into the enemy before he fell for the final time. Using the now-repositioned grenade as a marker, friendly air strikes were directed to destroy the hostile positions.

Captain Rubio's singularly heroic act turned the tide of the battle, and for his extaordinary leadership and valor, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. His remains were buried in Puerto Rico National Cemetery in the city of Bayamón, Puerto Rico.

Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Army, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry,1st Infantry Division, RVN.
Place and date: Tay Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam, 8 November 1966.
Entered service at: Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico.
Born:1 March 1938, Ponce, Puerto Rico.

Citation:
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Capt. Rubio, Infantry, was serving as communications officer, 1st Battalion, when a numerically superior enemy force launched a massive attack against the battalion defense position. Intense enemy machinegun fire raked the area while mortar rounds and rifle grenades exploded within the perimeter. Leaving the relative safety of his post, Capt. Rubio received 2 serious wounds as he braved the withering fire to go to the area of most intense action where he distributed ammunition, re-established positions and rendered aid to the wounded. Disregarding the painful wounds, he unhesitatingly assumed command when a rifle company commander was medically evacuated. Capt. Rubio was wounded a third time as he selflessly exposed himself to the devastating enemy fire to move among his men to encourage them to fight with renewed effort. While aiding the evacuation of wounded personnel, he noted that a smoke grenade which was intended to mark the Viet Cong position for air strikes had fallen dangerously close to the friendly lines. Capt. Rubio ran to reposition the grenade but was immediately struck to his knees by enemy fire. Despite his several wounds, Capt. Rubio scooped up the grenade, ran through the deadly hail of fire to within 20 meters of the enemy position and hurled the already smoking grenade into the midst of the enemy before he fell for the final time. Using the repositioned grenade as a marker, friendly air strikes were directed to destroy the hostile positions. Capt. Rubio's singularly heroic act turned the tide of battle, and his extraordinary leadership and valor were a magnificent inspiration to his men. His remarkable bravery and selfless concern for his men are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on Capt. Rubio and the U.S. Army."

Military decorations awarded:
Medal of Honor
Purple Heart Medal
Presidential Unit Citation
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with bronze star

Badges:
Parachutist badge
Combat Infantryman Badge

In memory:
The U.S. Army named a military installation "Captain Euripedes Rubio" in Puerto Nuevo, a sector of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Euripides Rubio's name is inscribed in "El Monumento de la Recordacion" (Monument of Remembrance), dedicated to Puerto Rico's fallen soldiers and situated in front of the Capitol Building in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The name Euripides Rubio is inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial ("The Wall") on Panel 12E, Row 044

Specialist Fourth Class Hector Santiago-Colon (December 20, 1942 – June 28, 1968) born in Salinas, Puerto Rico, is one of five Puerto Ricans who have been posthumously presented with the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration awarded by the United States. His actions on 28 June 1968 during the Vietnam War saved the lives of his fellow comrades.

Santiago-Colon was in the U.S. Army, Company B, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division.

On June 28, 1968, at Quang Tri Province, in the Republic of Vietnam, an enemy (North Vietnamese) soldier lobbed a hand grenade into Santiago-Colon's foxhole. Realizing that there was no time to throw out the grenade, he tucked it in to his stomach and turning away from his comrades, absorbed the full impact of the blast, sacrificing his life to save his fellow soldiers from certain death.

Santiago-Colon was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his own life above and beyond the call of duty. The award was present to his family in a ceremony at the White House by President Richard M. Nixon on April 7, 1970. His remains are buried in the city of Salinas, Puerto Rico.

Medal of Honor citation:  SANTIAGO-COLON, HECTOR

Rank and organization: Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, Company B, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile).
Place and date: Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, 28 June 1968.
Entered service at: New York, N.Y.
Born:20 December 1942, Salinas, Puerto Rico.

Citation:
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Realizing that there was no time to throw the grenade out of his position, he retrieved the grenade, tucked it in to his stomach and, turning away from his comrades, absorbed the full impact of the blast. Sp4c. Santiago-Colón distinguished himself at the cost of his life while serving as a gunner in the mortar platoon of Company B. While serving as a perimeter sentry, Sp4c. Santiago-Colón heard distinct movement in the heavily wooded area to his front and flanks. He alerted his fellow sentries in the area to move to their foxholes and remain alert for any enemy probing forces. From the wooded area around his position heavy enemy automatic weapons and small arms fire suddenly broke out, but extreme darkness rendered difficult the precise location and identification of the hostile force. Only the muzzle flashes from enemy weapons indicated their position. Sp4c. Santiago-Colón and the other members of his position immediately began to repel the attackers, utilizing hand grenades, antipersonnel mines and small-arms fire. Due to the heavy volume of enemy fire and exploding grenades around them, a North Vietnamese soldier was able to crawl, undetected, to their position. Suddenly, the enemy soldier lobbed a hand grenade into Sp4c. Santiago-Colón's foxhole. Realizing that there was no time to throw the grenade out of his position, Sp4c. Santiago-Colón retrieved the grenade, tucked it in to his stomach and, turning away from his comrades, absorbed the full impact of the blast. Heroic self-sacrifice saved the lives of those who occupied the foxhole with him, and provided them with the inspiration to continue fighting until they had forced the enemy to retreat from the perimeter. By his gallantry at the cost of his life and in the highest traditions of the military service, Sp4c. Santiago-Colón has reflected great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army."

Military decorations awarded:
Medal of Honor
Purple Heart Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with bronze star

Badges:
Combat Infantryman Badge

On July 1975, The Puerto Rican National Guard renamed their base "Camp Salinas", which is located close to Santiago-Colon's birth town, with the name "Camp Santiago" in his honor. He was the second Puerto Rican to be so honored. The first Puerto Rican who has a base named after him is Marine PFC Fernando Luis Garcia, who was the first Puerto Rican Medal of Honor recipient. The base is "Camp Garcia" located in the island municipality of Vieques. Santiago-Colon's name on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is located at Panel 54W Line 013. Santiago-Colon's name is also inscribed in "El Monumento de la Recordacion" (Monument of Remembrance), dedicated to Puerto Rico's fallen soldiers and situated in front of the Capitol Building in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Staff Sergeant Elmelindo Rodrigues Smith (July 27, 1935-February 16, 1967) born in Wahiawa, Hawaii, was a United States Army soldier, of Hispanic-Asian descent, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Vietnam War. Despite being severely wounded, Smith inspired his men to beat back an enemy assault.

Early years
Smith was born and raised in Wahiawā a town located in the center of Oahu Island in the County of Honolulu. There he received his primary and secondary education. He joined the United States Army in 1953 and was stationed in various countries overseas, among them was Okinawa.

During his stay in Okinawa, he met a Hawaiian born WAC by the name of Jane and soon they were married. They established their home in a military post in Tacoma, Washington and had two daughters.

Vietnam War
On July 23, 1966, Smith was sent to the Republic of Vietnam and served as Platoon Sergeant of the 1st Platoon, Company C, 2d Battalion, 8th Infantry of the 4th Infantry Division. The division conducted combat operations in the western Central Highlands along the border between Cambodia and Vietnam. The division experienced intense combat against North Vietnamese Army (NVA) regular forces in the mountains surrounding an area called Kontum.

On February 16, 1967, Sergeant Rodrigues Smith was leading his platoon in a reconnaissance patrol, when suddenly it came under attack. NVA forces attacked the patrol with machinegun, mortar and rocket fire. Despite the fact that he was wounded, he coordinated a counterattack by positioning his men and distributing ammunition. He was struck by a rocket, but continued to expose himself in order to direct his men's fire upon the approaching enemy. Even though he perished from his wounds, his actions resulted in the defeat of the enemy.

For his actions, he was recommended for the Medal of Honor. The family received the medal from the hands of Secretary of the Army Stanley R. Resor because President Lyndon B. Johnson was ill at the time. However, after the ceremony, which was held at the White House, the family which included his widow Jane and two daughters, Kathleen 10 and Pamela 6, were taken to President Johnson's bedroom.

Rank and organization: Platoon Sergeant (then S/Sgt.), U.S. Army, 1st Platoon, Company C, 2d Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division.
Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 16 February 1967
Entered service at: Honolulu, Hawaii
Born:27 July 1935, Honolulu, Hawaii

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. During a reconnaissance patrol. his platoon was suddenly engaged by intense machinegun fire hemming in the platoon on 3 sides. A defensive perimeter was hastily established, but the enemy added mortar and rocket fire to the deadly fusillade and assaulted the position from several directions. With complete disregard for his safety, P/Sgt. Smith moved through the deadly fire along the defensive line, positioning soldiers, distributing ammunition and encouraging his men to repeal the enemy attack. Struck to the ground by enemy fire which caused a severe shoulder wound, he regained his feet, killed the enemy soldier and continued to move about the perimeter. He was again wounded in the shoulder and stomach but continued moving on his knees to assist in the defense. Noting the enemy massing at a weakened point on the perimeter, he crawled into the open and poured deadly fire into the enemy ranks. As he crawled on, he was struck by a rocket. Moments later, he regained consciousness, and drawing on his fast dwindling strength, continued to crawl from man to man. When he could move no farther, he chose to remain in the open where he could alert the perimeter to the approaching enemy. P/Sgt. Smith perished, never relenting in his determined effort against the enemy. The valorous acts and heroic leadership of this outstanding soldier inspired those remaining members of his platoon to beat back the enemy assaults. P/Sgt. Smith's gallant actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and they reflect great credit upon him and the Armed Forces of his country."

S/Sgt. Elmelindo Rodrigues Smith's remains were buried with full military honors in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific located in Honolulu, Hawaii. His name is inscribed in the Vietnam War Memorial located in Washington, D.C. in Panel 15E - Row 051.

Awards and Recognitions:

Among Smith's decorations and medals were the following:
Medal of Honor
Purple Heart Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Streamer

Foreign unit decorations:
Fourragère cord

Colonel Jay R. Vargas, USMC (retired) (born 1938) is a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions during the Vietnam War. He is one of four brothers who has served in the United States Armed Forces in time of war. Like Colonel Vargas each of his brothers are decorated veterans — Angelo, Iwo Jima, World War II; Frank, Okinawa, World War II; and Joseph, Korean War. In honor of his mother, Vargas had her name engraved on his Medal of Honor.

Jay Vargas was born on July 29, 1938 in Winslow, Arizona and attended high school there, where he was an outstanding athlete, achieving All-State recognition in two sports. Attending Arizona State on an academic and athletic scholarship, he graduated in 1962 with a B.S. Degree in Education. He completed his Master of Arts Degree with "Honors" at the U.S. International University, San Diego, California.

After completing The Basic School at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, in June 1963, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. He is also a graduate of the Amphibious Warfare School, the Command and Staff College, Quantico, Virginia, and the National War College, Washington, D.C.

Colonel Vargas has served successfully as a Weapons and Rifle Platoon Commander; Rifle Company Executive Officer; three times as a Rifle Company Commander (two of which were in combat); S-3 Operations Officer; Recruit Depot Series Commander; Instructor, Staff Planning School, LFTCPAC; Headquarters Company Commander, 3rd Marine Division; Commanding Officer and Executive Officer, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division; Aide-de-Camp to the Deputy Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific; Marine Officer Instructor, NROTC Unit, University of New Mexico; Head, Operations Branch, Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington D.C.; and as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-4, 1st Marine Amphibious Force.

For his actions at Dai Do, Republic of Vietnam in 1968, Major Vargas was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Richard M. Nixon in a ceremony at the White House in May 1970.

Medal of Honor citation: MAJOR JAY R. VARGAS
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Commanding Officer, Company G, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade in action against enemy forces in the Republic of Vietnam from April 30 to May 2, 1968. On May 1, 1968, though suffering from wounds he had incurred while relocating his unit under heavy enemy fire the preceding day, Major (then Captain) Vargas combined Company G with two other companies and led his men in an attack on the fortified village of Dai Do. Exercising expert leadership, he maneuvered his Marines across 700 meters of open rice paddy while under intense enemy mortar, rocket and artillery fire and obtained a foothold in two hedgerows on the enemy perimeter, only to have elements of his company become pinned down by the intense enemy fire. Leading his reserve platoon to the aid of his beleaguered men, Major Vargas inspired his men to renew their relentless advance, while destroying a number of enemy bunkers. Again wounded by grenade fragments, he refused aid as he moved about the hazardous area reorganizing his unit into a strong defense perimeter at the edge of the village. Shortly after the objective was secured, the enemy commenced a series of counterattacks and probes which lasted throughout the night but were unsuccessful as the gallant defenders of Company G stood firm in their hard-won enclave. Reinforced the following morning, the Marines launched a renewed assault through Dai Do on the village of Dinh To, to which the enemy retaliated with a massive counterattack resulting in hand-to-hand combat. Major Vargas remained in the open, encouraging and rendering assistance to his Marines when he was hit for the third time in the three day battle. Observing his battalion commander sustain a serious wound, he disregarded his excruciating pain, crossed the fire-swept area and carried his commander to a covered position, then resumed supervising and encouraging his men simultaneously assisting in organizing the battalion's perimeter defense. His gallant actions uphold the highest traditions of the Marines Corps and the United States Naval Service."

After over thirty years of service in the Marine Corps, Colonel Vargas retired in from the Marine Corps in 1992.

After retirement, Vargas served as the Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs from 1993 to 1998. On July 9, 2001, Colonel Vargas was appointed to the position of Regional Veterans Liaison for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Anthony J. Principi.

Honors: 

Colonel Vargas military decorations include:
Medal of Honor
Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart Medal with four Gold Stars
Combat Action ribbon
Meritorious Service Medal
Navy Unit Commendation ribbon
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal w/four Bronze Stars
Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Silver Star and Palm,

Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Colonel Vargas is one of a few recipients in the United States to be awarded the American Academy of Achievement’s "Golden Plate Award" presented to national leaders in all professional fields. He has also received the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Commemorative Plaque presented by the United States Collegiate Athletic Directors and Coaches, in Houston, Texas, for excelling in collegiate athletics and having made a significant contribution to his country.

To all of you< I would like to wish you a "Merry Christmas" and a "Happy New Year" . To those who do not believe in "Christmas", I would like to wish you a "Happy Holidays"

I hope that you all are enjoying this series. In next months issue (Next Year) of "Somos Primos" you will learn about Humbert Roque Versace* and Maximo Yabes* , plus I will talk about three other Hispanic heroes whom I believe deserve the Medal of Honor.

Patriots of the American Revolution

Photo taken during the Pensacola Galvez Conference, 7 May 1981.  Dr. Eric Beerman delivered a paper on Solano and the Spanish Navy at the Battle of Pensacola.

The photo was taken by historian Jack D.L. Holmes in front of his limo with the Galvez plates.  From left to right, historian Gilbert C. Din, Mrs. Conchita Burman Beerman, and 
Dr. Eric Beerman.

ericbeerman@telefonica.net

SPANISH PATRIOTS OF PERU DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
By Granville Hough, Ph.D. 


The Viceroy of Peru held the second most prestigious Spanish office of the Western Hemisphere, second only to the Viceroy of New Spain in Mexico City. The Capitol was Lima, but there were 81 military units inwhat is present-day Peru and Bolivia, the former stronghold of the Inca Empire. This viceroyalty was one of the most productive in the Spanish Empire, and it had garrisons of cavalry (mounted infantry), Dragoons (shock troopers), and infantry. Some were regular units of career soldiers, while others were militia. Culturally, some were from Spain, some were local Indian, some were second or third generation mestizos or Creoles, and some were freed slaves. No engineers nor artillery units
were listed, and these may have been sent from the north when they were needed.

The purpose of this study is to identify soldiers (or sailors) who were in service during the 1779-1783 period while Spain was at war with Great Britain, along with the United States. Descendants of those veterans would be eligible to join current patriotic societies such as the Sons of the American Revolution. Actually, a researcher has to study the service record of each veteran to see when he enlisted. The service records for key persons in each unit are in legajos (or bundles) which may contain dozens or hundreds of individual records. The legajos for Peru are in Legajos 7283 through 7288, and are for specific years after the war when a census or roll call was made. In our work with these records, we found that a cadet or sergeant of 1790 would have typically enlisted by 1783. Sub-lieutenants and lieutenants of 1795, and Captains and above of 1800 would also have enlisted by 1783. When we found the person had enlisted after 1783, we frequently found his father or uncle had been on the rolls before 1783. With these thoughts in mind, we suggest descendants of the following persons could investigate their ancestors as potential Patriots of the American Revolution:

Manuel de Abad. Coronel, Milicias Urbanas de Dragones de Palma, Partido de Juaja, 1800. Legajo 7288:XXI:1.
Juan Abanto. Sargento, Milicias Urbanas Dragones de Celedin, Partido de Cajamarca, 1797. Legajo 7287:IX:37.
Isidro Abarca. Teniente Coronel, Batallón Provincial Milicias Disciplinadas, Inf, española de Lima, 1800. Legajo 7288:XXIII:7. (Inf = Infantry, Cab = Cavalry.)
Agustin Abril Olazabal. Capitán, Milicias Provinciales Disciplinadas, Inf de Arequipa, 1800. Legajo 7288:I:13.
Pedro Abril Olazabal. Teniente, Granaderos, Milicias Provinciales Disciplinadas Inf de Arequipa, 1800. Legajo 7288:I:32.
Francisco de Acevedo. Capt, Milicias Provinciales Disciplinadas de Cab del Valle de Chincha, 1797. Legajo 7287:XII:4. (Capt = Captain, Lt = Lieutenant.)
Juan de Dios Acevedo. Sargento Primero de la 8th Comp de Milicias Disciplinadas de Inf de Cuzco, 1792. Legajo 7284:V:36.
Felipe Acosta. Teniente, Milicias Provinciales Urb Inf de Abancay, 1793. Leg 7284:II:15. (Leg = Legajo, Urb = Urbanas.)
Felix Acosta. Sargento, Milicias Provinciales Discip Cab de Arequipa, 1792, Leg 7284:XIII:41.
José Acosta. Teniente, Milicias Disciplinadas de Inf de Cuzco, 1800. Leg7286:XXIV:16.
Manuel Acosta. Teniente, Inf. Real de Lima, 1796. Leg 7287:XXIV:51.
Pedro Antonio Acosta. Sargento Primero de la 5th Comp. Milicias Urbanas Inf. Moyobamba, 1797. Leg 7287:XXIX:27.
Sebastián Acosta. Teniente, Milicias Provinciales Urbana Inf de Huánuco, 1796. Leg 7286:V:12.
Jacinto Acuña. Sargento abanderàdo Milicias Disciplinadas de Inf de Cuzco, 1792. Leg 7284:V:5.
José Acuña. Capitán graduado de Coronel, Inf Real de Lima, 1794. Leg 7285:IX:76.
Mariano Acuña. Sargento, 1st Class, Milicia prov. Urbana Inf de Abancay, 1793. Leg 7284:II:67. (prov = Provinciales, discip – Disciplinadas.)
Martin Acuña. Sgt, 1st Cl, Milicia prov Discip de Dragones de Caravel, 1796. Leg 7287:VIII:42. (Sgt = Sergeant/Sargento.)
Pedro Acuña. Sgt, Milicias Discip de Cuzco, 1800. Leg 7286:XXIV:43. Diego Adalid. Sgt, Milicias provinciales Urbanas de Caballeria de Huanuco, 1797. Leg 7286:VI:27.
Matias Aedo. Sgt 1st Cl, Milicias Provinciales Urbanas Inf de Abancay, 1793. Leg 7284:II:30.
José Aguado. Sgt 1st Cl, Inf Real de Lima, 1793. Leg 7284:IX:99.
Juan Antonio Agayo. Teniente Milicias Discip de Caballeria de Ferreñafe, 1797, Leg 7287:XIV:23.
Casimiro Aguero. SubLt, Milicias Prov Discip de Inf de Castro Chiloe, 1800. Leg 7288:IX:80.
Feliciano Aguero. Sgt, 1st Cl, Milicias Prov Discip de Inf de Castro, Chiloe, 1800. Leg 7288:IX:104.
Marcos Aguero. Teniente, Milicias discip de Cab de los Valles de Palpa y Nasca, 1797. Leg 7287:XXXI:14.
Martin Aguero. Capt, Mil. Prov Discip de Inf de Castro, Chiloe, 1800. Leg 7288:IX:5.
Baltasar del Aguila. Capt, Milicias Provinciales Discip de Inf of Castro, Chiloe, 1800. Leg 7288:IX:6.
Isidore Aguilar. Sgt, 1st Batalion Provincial de Milicias, Pardos libres de Lima, 1796, Leg 7286:XII;46.
José Aguilar. Ayudante, 2nd Cl, Milicias Inf, Española de San Juan de la Frontera de Chachapoya, 1792. Leg 7284:VI:3. (Ayudante = Adjutant.)
JoséAguilar. Sgt, Bn provincial de Milicias de pardos libres de lima, 1788. Leg 7283:IV:10. (Bn = Battalion, Comp = Compañia, pardos libres = freed slaves.)
Juan JoséAguilar. SubLt, Mil Prov Discip de inf of Castro, Chiloe, 1800.Leg 7288:IX:57. SubLt = sub lieutenant or Alférez.)
Juan de Mata Aguilar. Sgt, 1st, Dragones Prov de las fronteras de Tarma. Leg 7288:XXIX:45.
Manuel Aguilar. SubLt, Bn Provinciales Milicias de Pardos libres de Lima, 1796. Leg 7286:XII:38.
Matias Aguilar. Sgt, Milicias provinciales Urbanas de Inf de Abancay, 1793. Leg 7284,II:73.
Pablo Aguilar. Sgt 1st Cl, Bn Provincial de Milicias de Pardos Libres de Lima 1796, Leg 7286:XII:52.
Paulino Aguilar. Alférez, Escuadrón de Cab Milicias Urbanas de los territorios de Huancabamba y Chalaco, Piura, 1800. Leg 7286:XXVI:4. Salvador Aguilar. Capt, Mililicias Prov. Urbanas de Cab. de Huanuco, 1797, Leg 7286:VI:7.
Toribio Aguilar. SubLt, Milicias Inf Española de San Juan de la Frontera de Chachapoya, 1792. Leg 7284:VI:24.
Valeriano Aguilar. SubLt, Milicias Prov Discip de Castro, Chiloe, 1800. Leg 7288:IX:72.
Alejandro Aguinaga. Capt, Milicias Urbanas de Dragones de Huambos, Partido de Lcajamarca, 1797. Leg 7287:XVII:6.
Antonio Miguel de Aguinaga. Ayudante Mayor de Milicias Prov. Urbanas de Dragones de Huambos, Partido de Cajamarca, 1792. Leg 7284:XIV:3.
Melchor Aguinaga. Sgt de Milicias Prov Urbanas de Dragones Huambos, Partido de Cajamarca, 1792. Leg 7284:XIV:29.
Fernando Aguirre. Sgt, Milicias Prov Urbanas de Cab de Huanuco, 1797. Leg 7286:VI:28.
José Aguirre. Sgt, Milicias Prov Discip, Inf, Lambayeque, 1797. Leg 7287:XXII:33.
Juan Gualberto Aguirre. Cadet, Milicias prov Urbanas de Cab de Huanta, 1794. Leg 7285:III:38.
Luis Aguirre. Sgt, Milicias Prov Urbanas de Cab de Huanco, 1797. Leg 7286:VI:29.
Manuel Antonio de Aguirre. SubLt, Milicias Discip Dragones de Tumbez, Piura, 1795. Leg 7285:XXIII:18.
José Agurto. Sgt 1st Cl, Milicias discip Dragones de Querocotillo Piura, 1795. Leg 7285:XXIII:20.
Antonio Agustin. Lt, Milicias prov Discip Inf Lambayeque, 1797. Leg 7287:XXII:13.
Juan de Aizcorbe. Lt, Compañias sueltas de Milicias Discip, Inf de Ica, 1800. Leg 7288:XIX:7. (sueltas = independent, Urb = Urbanas.)
Jose Alaiza. SubLt de Milicias Urb. Inf de Moquegua, 1797. Leg 7287:XXVI:24.
Damián Alarcon. Ayudante, Bn Milicias Urbanas Inf de Andahuaylas, 1799. Leg 7286:XXII:15.
Esteban Alarcon. SubLt de banderas, Milicias Prov. Urbanas Inf de Huanta, 1800. Leg 7288:XVIII:36. (banderas = scouts.)
Mariano Alarcon. SubLt, Milicias Prov Urbanas Inf de Huanta, 1800. Leg 7288:XVIII:41.
Melchor Alarcon. Lt, Milicias Urbanas Inf de Huamanga, 1800. Leg 7288:XV:15.
Melchor Alarcon. SubLt, Bn Milicias Urbanas Inf de Andahuaylas, 1799. Leg 7286:XXII:17.
Francisco de Alba. Sgt, Milicias Urbanas Cab de San Pablo Chalaquez, 1798. Leg 7287:XI:50.
Gaspar de Alba. Lt, Milicias UrbanasCab, San Pablo de Chalaquez, 1798. Leg 7287:XI:11.
Guillermo Alba. Sgt 1st Cl de la 3rd Comp de Milicias Españolas Cab de Luya y Chillaos, provincia de Chachapoyas, 1792. Leg 7284:XX:13.
José Albarran. Lt, Bn Milicias prov Discip Inf de San Miguel de Piura, 1800. Leg 7286:XXV:12.
Manuel Antonio Albites. Sgt, Milicias Prov. Urbanas de Cab de Huanta, 1798. Leg 7286:XVII:29.
José Manuel de Albizuri. Lt, Milicias prov Discip, Cab de Arequipa, 1797. Leg 7287:II:34.
Julian Albornoz. Capt, Milicias Prov Urbanas Cab de Huamalies, 1800. Leg 7288:XVII:6.
Manuel Albornoz. Lt, Milicias Prov Urbanas Cab de Huamalies, 1800. Leg 7288:XVII:14.
Francisco Albujar. Sgt, Milicias prov Discip Inf, Lambayeque, 1797. Leg 7287:XXII:32.
Manuel Albujar. Sgt, Milicias prov Discip Inf de Lambayeque, 1797. Leg 7287:XXII:27.
Pedro Alcala. Ayudante, Milicias Discip Cab, Provincia de Cañete, 1797. Leg 7287:VI:10.
Andrés Avelino Alcalde. Alférez, Milicias Urbanas Cab, San Paablo de Chalaquez, 1798. Leg 7287:XI:28.
Mariano Alcantara. Sgt de fusileros, Milicias Prov Urbanas de Inf de Cajamarca, 1797. Leg 7287:V:27.
Baltazar del Alcazar. SubLt, Milicias Urbanas Inf de Moquegua, 1797. Leg 7287:XXVI:23.
Ignacio de Alcazar. Cadet, Inf. Real de Lima, 1800. Leg 7288:XXII:144.
Ignacio del Alcazar. Ayudante Mayor, graduado de Capitán, Inf, Real de Lima, 1800. Leg 7288:XXII:29.
Manuel Alcon y Concha. SubLt, Milicias Prov Urbanas de Inf de Urubamba, 1797. Leg 7287:XXXVIII:28.
Ciriaco Aldaluz. SubLt, Mil Prov Urbanas de Inf de Cajamarca, 1797. Leg 7287:IV:18.
Juan Baltasar de Aldarabal. Capt Bn Milicias Urbanas Inf de Andahuaylas, 1799. Leg 7286:XXII:5.
Bautista Alderette. SubLt, Milicias Prov. Discip. De Inf de Castro, Chiloe, 1800. Leg 7288:IX:66.
Francisco Alduvi de Aljovin. Coronel Comandante, Escuadrón de Dragones de Pacasmayo, 1800. Leg 7288:XXVIII:9.
Pedro Alduvi de Rivas. Capt, Escuadrón Dragones de Pacasmayo, 1800. Leg 7288:XXVIII:1.
Juan Aledo. Sgt, Milicias Discip Cab de Cuzco, 1792. Leg 7284:XVII:54.
Fabiano Alegria. Capt, Milicias Prov Urbanas de Inf de Abancay, 1793. Leg 7284:II:7.
Antonio Alfaro. Sgt, Comp de Cab, Milicias del Partido de Santa, 1792. Leg 7284:XXIII:19.
Juan Domingo Alfaro. Sgt de fusileros, Milicias Urbanas de Inf de Cajamarca, 1797. Leg 7287:IV:28.
Ignacio Aliaga Sgt, Milicias Discip Cab de Trujillo, Perú, 1800. Leg 7288:XXXI:26.
JoséAliaga. Sgt, Milicias Prov Urbanas de Dragones de Celedin, Partido de Cajamarca, 1797. Leg 7287:IX:33.
Juan José Aliaga, Marqués de Fuente Hermosa. Coronel, Milicias Prov Urbanas de Dragones de Carabayllo, 1800. Leg 7288:IV:1.
Vicente Aliende. Lt, Milicias Urbanas, Inf de Huamanga, 1800. Leg 7288:XV:13.
Segundo Almeida. Sgt, Milicias Discip. Dragones de Lima, 1794. Leg 7285:VII:67.
Tomás Alonso. Sgt, Inf Real de Lima, 1796. Leg 7287:XXIV:97.
José Alonso Diaz de Barreda. Cadete, Milicias Prov Discip de Inf de Arequipa, 1800. Leg 7288:I:85.
Diego Alonso del Pino. Capt, Milicias Prov Inf de Huanta, 1800. Leg 7288:XVIII:13.
Norberto Alosilla y Arguedas. Cadet, Milicias Prov Discip de Cab de Cuzco, 1797. Leg 7287:X:42.
José Alosilla y Vitoria. Capt, Milicias Prov Discip de Cab de Cuzco, 1797. Leg 7287:X:10.
Francisco Cayetano deAloyza. Cadete, Escuadrón de Cab Milicias Urbanas de Moquegua, 1800. Leg 7288:XXVII:15.
José Altamirano. Lt, Milicias Prov Discip de Cab de Valle de Chincha, 1797. Leg 7287:XII:19.
Juan Antonio Altamirano. Sgt, Milicias Prov Urbanas de Dragones de Chota, 1797. Leg 7287:XIII:46.
Agustin Alvarado. Sgt, Milicias Prov Urbanas Cab de Huasmalies, 1800. Leg 7288:XXII:20.
Casimiro Alvarado. Lt, Comp Sueltas de Inf, Partido de Calbuco, Chiloe, 1800. Leg 7288:V:6.
Francisco Alvarado. SubLt, 1st Comp, Suelta Inf Discip de San Carlos de Guapilacuy, Chiloe, 1800. Leg 7288:VIII:3.
Francisco Antonio Alvarado. Capt, Milicias Urbanas de Dragones de Palma, Partido de Jauja, 1800. Leg 7288:XXI:6.
Isidro Alvarado. SubLt, Inf, Real de Lima, 1800. Leg 7288:XXII:63.
José Alvarado. Capt, Milicias, Discip de Inf de Cuzco, 1800. Leg 7286: XXIV:12.
José Antonio Alvarado. Capt, Milicias Prov. Urbanas de Dragones de Carabaylio, 1797. Leg 7287:VII:8.
Juan José Alvarado. Lt, Milicias Prov Urbanas Dragones de Chota, 1797. Leg 7287:XIII:15.
Luis Alvarado. SubLt, Milicias Prov Discip de Inf de Castro, Chiloe, 1800. Leg 7288:IX:78.
Marcelo Alvarado. Cadet, Milicias Urbanas de Dragones de Celedin, Partido de Cajamarca, 1797. Leg 7287:IX:46.
Marcelo Alvarado. Sgt, Milicias Prov Discip de Inf de Castro, Chiloe, 1800. Leg 7288:IX:91.
Pablo Alvarado. Capt, Milicias Discip de Cab Arnero de Chancay, 1800. Leg 7288:III:6.
Tadeo Alvarado. Lt de Granaderos, Milicias Prov de Dragones de Celedin, Partido de Cajamarca, 1797. Leg 7287:IX:16.
Alberto Alvarez. Alférez, Milicias Dragones, Prov de las fronteras de Tarma, 1800. Leg 7288:XXIX:23.
Antonio Alvarez. Capt, Milicias Prov Urbanas de Inf de San Antonio de Cajamarca, 1797. Leg 7287:III:9.
Carlos Alvarez. Sgt, Milicias Prov Discip de Cab de Cuzco, 1792. Leg 7284:XII:33.
Domingo Alvarez. SubLt, Milicias Prov Urbanas de Inf de San Antonio de Cajamarca, 1797. Leg 7287:III:22.
Eusebio Alvarez. Capt, Milicias Prov Discip de Inf de Castro, Chiloe, 1800. Leg 7288:IX:28.
Francisco Alvarez. Sgt, Milicias Prov Urbanas de Dragones de Quispicanchi, Cuzco, 1798. Leg 7286:XX:35.
Francisco Javier Alvarez. SubLt, Milicias Prov Discip de Inf de Castro, Chiloe, 1800. Leg 7286:IX:70.
Ignacio Alvarez. Capt, Milicias Prov Discip de Castro, Chiloe, 1800. Leg 7288:IX:13.
José Alvarez. Alférez, Milicias Prov Discip de Inf de Lambayeque, 1793. Leg 7284:XXVII:16.
José Lino Alvarez. SubLt, Milicias Inf Española de San Juan de la Frontera de Chachapoya, 1792. Leg 7284:VI:23.
José Maria Alvarez. Sgt, Bn Provincial Milicias Discip Inf Espan ola de Lima, 1800. Leg 7288:XXIII:60.
Juan de Dios Alvarez. Sgt, Milicias Prov Urbanas de Dragones de Quispicanchi, Cuzco, 1798. Leg 7286:XX:32.
Juan José Alvarez. Porta-guión, Milicias Prov Urbanas de Dragones de Huambos, Partido de Cajamarca, 1797. Leg 7287:XVII:19.
Manuel Alvarez. Sgt, Milicias Discip de Cab de Ica, 1800. Leg 7288:XX:34.
Marcos Alvarez. Capt de Granaderos, Milicias Prov Urbanas Inf de Abancay, 1793. Leg 7284:II:5.
Miguel Alvarez. Lt, Milicias Prov Urbanas Inf de Abancay, 1793. Leg 7284:II:54.
Pascual Alvarez. Lt, Milicias Prov Urbanas Inf de Abancay, 1793. Leg 7284:II:53.
Pedro Alvarez. Sgt, Bn Prov de Milicias de Pardos libres de Lima, 1796. Leg 7286:XII:53.
Pedro Alvarez. Alférez, Milicias Prov Urbanas de Dragones de Chota, 1797. Leg 7287:XIII:27.
Tomás Alvarez. Sgt, Milicias Prov Discip Cab de Cuzdo, 1797, Leg 7287:X:32.
Pedro Alvarez Callejo. Capt, Inf del Real Asiento de Paucartambo, 1798. Leg 7286:XIX:14.
Narciso Alvarez Campana. Capt, Milicias Prov Discip de Cab de Cuzco, 1797. Leg 7287:X:13.
Antonio Alvarez Moran. Comandante, Milicias Dragones Prov de las Fronteras de Tarma, 1800. Leg 7288:XXIX:2.
José Alvarez de Paz. Lt, Milicias Prov Urbanas de Dragones de Quispicanchi, Cuzco, 1798. Leg 7286:XX:18.
Melchor Alvarez y Tomas. Portaguión, Milicias Prov Discip Cab de  Arequipa, 1792. Leg 7284:XIII:35.

(to be continued.)

Cuentos

Teresa R. Funke
Author, Presenter, Writer's Coach
www.teresafunke.com

I awaken to the clattering of pots and pans and the gentle lull of classical Mexican guitar while a spicy aroma tickles my nose arousing my memory. As I make my way down stairs I am welcomed by the sight of my dad, already on the phone with his sister, confirming the tamale recipe and chopping onions. He’s been preparing food all morning; there are bowls of peppers and spices lining the counter, highlighted by a mountain of cornhusks waiting to be cleaned. This image is so familiar and comforting, and I know exactly how it will play out. It’s tamale day.

My dad is Mexican, so on Thanksgiving weekend we make tamales as a family. It’s our family ritual. When I was little, I didn’t appreciate the fact that I was Mexican, I was embarrassed by it, and I never really wanted to participate in any of the traditional customs. I loved my dad, and his family, but I was content to consider myself an American, I didn’t feel defined or influenced by my ancestors and their ways. I was always very stubborn and independent and felt I could build my own life without any ties to the past. But I’ve grown since then, and I’ve come to embrace and accept my ethnicity, for I now realize that in knowing about my background I can only grow as a person, instead of being limited by my self-induced segregation.

Through cooking with my dad, I think I was able to come to terms with my ethnicity as well as gain a better understanding of my dad and where he comes from. Cooking for him is a very personal thing, cathartic even. It’s our time to bond, especially on tamale day, because making tamales has a certain cultural significance that seems to underscore the Mexican tradition he hopes to share with me.

When we make tamales, my dad becomes excessively Mexican. It’s as if he has another personality that only comes out when he talks about his parents. He glows with joy, as he recalls events from his childhood. I’ve heard countless stories about his parents and the trials they faced during the Mexican Revolution. I never met my grandparents because they both died before I was born, so all I have of them is my dad’s memories. He paints these pictures of my grandmother as a strong independent woman, and the most amazing cook. He tells me I remind him of her.

Tamales were never my favorite food. However, since they were an important family tradition, I decided that it was important for me to learn how to make them so that eventually I could pass this ritual on to my children someday. Making tamales every year is not unique to my family; it’s a traditional Mexican custom to make tamales to be eaten on Christmas Eve.

Knowing that our ritual is something bigger than just my family creates a feeling of inclusion and a sense of cultural unity. My aunts in California gather together every year to make many tamales to be shared among the family. I know my dad wishes he could be there with them, but since we live in Minnesota, that’s not possible. This is why it is so important to him that we have our own tamale tradition. In recent years we’ve added a new member to our tamale family. Our friend Anne also enjoys making tamales, but like us, she also lives far away from her family. I like that Anne joins us each year, it reminds me that other people also enjoy tradition as a celebration of their ancestral culture.

My dad uses the recipe he learned from his mother as a boy. We even send to California for the chilies to create the perfect sauce. The dried chilies are roasted so that they produce a strong, almost choking smell that takes over the entire house. But it’s not the process of making the tamales which makes the event special, rather, it’s the family involvement as we gather together to share in one another’s company. As my dad tells his stories and dances and makes a big fuss over doing it all just right, my mom and I spread the sticky masa on the cornhusks. I usually do it wrong and my dad insists on helping me. The meat is my grandmother’s secret recipe and the heart of the tamales, my dad slaves over it all day and then carefully layers the spicy meat onto the masa-covered cornhusks before they are rolled and then finally steamed to perfection.

While the tamales steam, and my dad makes the beans and rice, my mom reads the book "Too Many Tamales" to my brothers and me. It was a ritual we started when we were very young, but even though we are now too old for children books, she still reads it for sentimental reasons. As I listen to the story, I recall images and feelings from my youth. I remember cuddling up to my mom, her voice calming and delicate, as she told the tale of a young girl who tried on her mother’s wedding ring while she was making Christmas tamales. I remember how I laughed when the girl thought she lost the ring in the mess of masa, and then went on to eat all of the tamales with her cousins in search of the ring, only to find that her mother had discovered the ring before the tamales were cooked.

I remember feeling so small and safe listening to the hum of my mom’s voice, believing I would never grow up, but of course I did. And now, I think about the future, there will come a time when I will be too old to listen to my mom read the story, then what? Will our ritual be lost? Will the joy of my childhood be found only in the memories? I hope not. One day, I would like to pass on the tamale tradition to my children, so that they might learn about their culture and grow like I did. I want them to hear the stories of my grandmother and eat her tamales and listen to me read them the book Too Many Tamales. I want to share with them the experiences I had as a young girl, and give them a tie back to their ancestors through the simple task of making tamales.

When the tamales are finally done, we all sit down as a family and eat our delicious reward. The flavors meld together forming the perfect combination of spicy meat and salty masa. With each bite I think of everything that went into making the tamales. I think of all the things I’ve learned over the years, about how to make the masa the perfect consistency and how to carefully peel the chilies. And then I think of my grandmother; she comes to life in my imagination. I watch my dad’s memories play out like a movie: she’s in her small kitchen, her long dark hair is pulled back into a bun at the nape of her neck and she is kneading dough for tortillas. A dusting of flour covers the counter as she manipulates the dough with her graceful fingers, creating perfectly round tortillas.

And then another image of her younger self permeates my mind. She is working the fields, bending over in the hot sun to pick ripened strawberries. My grandmother is beautiful in spite of her circumstances and she is not bitter. Born into wealth and privilege, my grandmother’s life turned upside down during the Mexican Revolution and she was forced into migrant work just to survive. Her life was nothing short of inspiring. More images flash by and a sense of longing overcomes me. With every memory I feel closer to my grandmother and thus closer to my Mexican heritage. How could I be embarrassed by or apathetic towards my culture after understanding the hardships my grandmother overcame? Through her actions she became for me a symbol of empowerment, pride, determination, and most importantly a symbol of my culture. The more I learned about my grandmother, the more I grew to appreciate my Mexican heritage for I realized that in rejecting my culture I was rejecting my family.

We cook, we eat, we laugh, we experience, remember and honor our culture as we make tamales as a family. This ritual is given meaning by the memories made, and time shared together. And it is strengthened by the fact that we are not alone in this tradition, my family and I are only a few among many Mexicans who make tamales every year to celebrate Christmas.

Marissa Warden, of North Mankato, Minnesota, is a first-year student at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. She is currently studying English and Political Science. Marissa has a very diverse ancestry, with ancestors from Valle de Santiago and Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato; Hostotipaquillo, Jalisco; Girst, Luxembourg; and the Rhine Valley of Germany.

The paternal grandmother that Marissa speaks of is Victoria Ledesma, who was born on Dec. 23, 1908 in Valle de Santiago, Guanajuato, the daughter of Juan Tiburcio Ledesma and Victoria Rea. Victoria died on October 1, 1966 in Los Angeles, twenty-two years before Marissa was born.

Literature

Bilingual: 
Monja y Casada: Virgen y Martir 
Historia de los Tiempos de la Inquisicion
by Vicente Riva Palacio, 1868   

Al nombre del Santo Tribunal heló mi sangre; llegaba en el momento en que iba yo a cometer un crimen; me parecía que Dios lo enviaba para castigar mi intención, que en el rostro iban a conocer mis pensamientos. Inmóvil permanecía, como clavado en tierra, cuando aquella voz repitió desde afuera:

Abrid a la Inquisición; abrid al Santo Oficio.

Volví entonces en mí, corrí  precipitadamente al cuarto de mi amo, que había ya despertado, y que encendiendo luz había comenzado a vestirse.

Qué hay, Teodoro?  Me preguntó. 

!Señor, señor, el Santo Oficio!

El Santo Oficio!   Dijo, dando un salto de la cama.

Si señor, si señor.

Se levanto precipitadamente y tomó la luz.

Abrimos la tienda, y vimos a un comisario de la Inquisición, seguido de ocho ó diez familiares cubiertos con sendos capuchones; traían varios faroles y se ocupaban en levantar los piedras que formaban el quicio de una de las puertas.  Hicieron una seña a mi amo, que se detuvo mientras terminaba la operación.

Levantaron algunas piedras, rascaron un poco la tierra, y mi amo dio un grito de espanto; un Santo Cristo grande, de bronce, estaba allí enterrado, precisamente en el lugar por donde entraban los marchantes.


Don José de Abalabide?  Dijo con voz solemne le comisario del Santo Oficio.

Yo soy, dijo temblando mi amo.

Dese preso a la Inquisición.

 

Me amo quedó detenido entre dos familiares, y los demás se entraron a registrar la casa, llevándome en su compañía.

En el cuarto de mi amo, en un rincón, se encontró otro Cristo grande, de madera, con huellas de golpes y algunas disciplinas de alambre cerca de él, todo tirado por el suelo, y el Cristo aun sucio el rostro, como de señales de salivas.

En lo demás de la casa, nada:  pero noté con asombro que sólo Clara estaba allí, y que Luisa había desaparecido.

Un depositario se encargó de todo en nombre de la Inquisición, se pusieron los sellos del Santo Oficio en todas las puertas y ventanas, en todos los cajones y armarios, y mi amo, Clara y yo fuimos conducidos presos.

Luisa estaba en mi pensamiento sobre todo preocupación y al salir, acercándome a Clara, deslice en su  oído estas palabras.

Y Luisa?

Nada sé, me contesto.

 Agaché la cabeza y seguí a los  familiares.

SURNAME . . . SAENZ

The Saenz family originated in South Texas, specifically in Duval County and Alice, Texas. Several members of the Saenz family were present to receive the award and an oral presentation by Edward Sosa (College Advancement). The script used by Mr. Sosa was prepared with information provided by sons, Tomas and Roberto Saenz. 
The script follows:

The Cesar Chavez Award – Saenz Family

• The Saenz family established themselves in Duval, County Texas in the 1860’s from Mexico. Our great grandfather Eleuterio Saenz was the first to come from Mexico to South Texas, Duval County area.
• Santos Gonzales Perez married Samuel Vera Saenz on January 10^th, 1931 in the farming community of Santa Cruz, Duval County, Texas, and soon there after moved to Alice, Texas
• They lived there for an estimated twenty-five years. They were blessed with fourteen children, eleven of which still survive. Arranged by the oldest to the youngest their children were: Amando, Samuel Jr. David, (deceased) Elva, (deceased) Rogelio, Tomas, Hercilia (deceased), Olivia, Zuelma, Leonardo, Antonio, Brigida, Irma, Roberto.

• Motherhood    This picture has been appropriately titled "Motherhood" for it was Mother Santos at her best as a Mother to her children.  We see her here with her last five of her fourteen children.  The picture was taken in 1953 in Shelby, Michigan where the family spent some time picking cherries for one of the local farmers. The photo is one that family members have treasured for years as it reveals well "the way we were" during the ten years or so that we spent as migrant workers. Left to right are: Brigida, Roberto, Mama Santos, Irma, Leonardo and standing behind Roberto is Antonio.

• Samuel signed up with the Hines Company, and off they went along with other families to the unknown. It was February and the Michigan winter was still going strong. All together there were about five large families that traveled across country in what were large half-ton trucks with canvas covers on the back. Upon arrival, they were all placed in an old abandon house that was cold and damped. A credit arrangement at nearby grocery store was made for the next six months. This was part of the plan and the store was connected with the sugar beet company. When the harvest for sugar beets was over, it was time to settle accounts with the store. They told Samuel that all things considered labor and all he still owed the store $50.00.
• They didn’t loose hope; the family picked up the migrant trail again a few years later and spent approximately ten years as migrant workers. Their travels took them to such states as Louisiana, Florida, Mississippi, Michigan and most of Texas.
• The year 1956 was a critical year in the Saenz family for it was then that they decided to make Grand Rapids, Michigan their home. The last farmer they worked for was Ben Boss Graff in Hudsonville, Michigan where they topped onions in the muck fields.
• A major force and influence in making this transition for the Saenz family was the eldest Samuel Jr., when he began to see a different world after serving in the U.S. Army and wanted his brothers and sisters to share in better quality of life.

• They slowly made the transition from farm workers and took jobs in local factories.
• Differences in language, culture, and family traditions were hard to integrate to their new surroundings. Even so all worked extremely hard and all contributed to the family budget – no questions asked, that’s the way it was. It was for the "familia"

• Each Saenz family member had their own talents, ambitions, and strengths and obtained both a formal and informal education but all are successful to this day.
• Academic Success
  • Four of the fourteen received college and advanced degrees:

• Samuel Saenz Jr. – GED (Grand Rapids Junior College); BA and Masters of Science, Aeronautical Engineering from Michigan State; had a distinguished career with NASA – work on Apollo X, minute man missile guidance system and the apache helicopter projects; currently owns and operates a fishing resort in Puerto Santo Tomas, Baja California, Mexico
• Tomas Saenz, BA Aquinas College; MA Education, Chapman University, Orange County, CA (educator for 30 years, Community College Board of Trustees etc., political advocate for education; currently retired and working on family genealogy and history.
• Antonio Saenz, BS Science – Biology/Chemistry, Grand Valley State College; MS Science, Michigan State University; distinguished career with BD Pharmaceuticals – a global company in California; currently a consultant for safety and quality in the pharmaceutical industry
• Roberto Saenz, (the youngest) BA and MA Education, Grand Valley State; over 30 years of service with GRPS; Community leader, Hispanic Center Board Chair, YMCA David D. Hunting Board; Dyer Ives Foundation; many more; For Roberto retirement was over rated so after two months of retirement he needed a challenge and is now Vice President for Hope Network West Michigan a non-profit, with over 900 employees in multiple counties
• Samuel Jr., Tomas and Roberto are also alumni of Grand Rapids Community College

• Business Success
  • Three are entrepreneurs running successful businesses

• Amando the oldest in the family played a significant role in leading the Saenz family to economic satiability. He worked very hard to assure that all of us had food on the table and educated all of the family members on the value of hard work and being financially independent. In 1971 he established his own business, Saenz Farm & Greenhouses in Sparta Michigan. He and his family have been providing the metro Grand Rapids and surrounding communities with beautiful plants, shrubs and vegetables for every season. Hard work, dedication to his business and excellent customer service has been the tenants of his success. Though he recently passed on the reigns to his son and daughters, he is never too far to provide guidance and support.
• David’s (now diseased) owned and operated Sanez TV, downtown Grand Rapids, provided the Westside Hispanic community with new and refurbished appliances and electronics for over twenty-five years. He made it possible for families to have the smallest conveniences on a handshake or "enganche". Everyone always paid David who was famous for turning over a buck. Music was central to his life and his TV shop was where you would stop by and he made you feel welcome by singing a hard hitting corrido .He was always willing to help you if you needed money, food just needed a "A fresh TV". He has passed on his love of music and entrepreneurship to his family.
• Zulema, proprietor of Vitale’s Pizza in Sparta, established in the early 1980’s in Sparta, it was one of the first restaurants in Sparta to be owned by a Hispanic woman. Vitale’s thrived for over 20 years and two years ago they were successful in moving from 700 sq. ft. to a 3,000 sq. ft. modern venue. Nobody makes pizzas like Sue!
• Leonardo is also the proud owner of Chico’s Taco House in Cadillac, Michigan, which serves some of the best Mexican food in the North Country. His business has served the Cadillac and surrounding communities for over twenty-five years.

• Olivia, the eldest daughter – the matriarch, the glue of the family. Blessed with the gift of hospitality, nurturing, rock solid family values and unshakable faith, she is the one that has help to raise, worry, support, cook and pray for everyone. Holidays and her tamales are legendary. Expect a call from her everyday to wish you a good day and make sure that you’ve had enough to eat.
• Brigida (Vicky) has the decorating touch and would give Martha Steward a run for her money; she is now becoming an internet wiz.

• Irma is a fun loving free spirit who recently retired from Steelcase and spends her time with family/ friends traveling.

• Rogelio worked for over forty years at Nelson Metals and is currently retired and keeping busy in sunny Tampa with family and grandchildren.

The Saenz Family truly exemplifies the life and legacy of Cesar Chavez, humble beginnings, hard work, service to others and dedication. "Our experience as migrant workers" taught us to work as a family and for the family; we were taught that doing honest work no matter how hard, would prepare us for what may lie ahead of us" we are proud of our migrant humble beginnings" said Roberto. Samuel and Santos were risk takers, not afraid of adversity and looked straight in the eyes of the future. Giving their children love, faith, values, an education and drive to succeed, they all knew that when you put your mind to it "Si se puede"!

Submitted by Tomas Saenz

ORANGE COUNTY, CA

Fiesta Navidad, Mariachi Los Camperos
Click

United Mexican American Veterans Association

Presents  . . "A Christmas Party"
You, your family and friends are invited
to join us in this Christmas celebration.

Saturday, December 8, 2007, from 12 noon to 3 p.m.

American Legion Hall, Post 132
143 S. Lemon St., Orange, California

The event features a guest speaker, Mexican food lunch, veteran and community photo display, 50/50 raffle, music, fun activities and gifts for the children.  Donation:  Adult $10  Child $5   Reservations are needed.
RSVP by telephone to Fred 714-973-4771 or Elsie 714-839-3516
Sent by Harvey Reyes

2007 Olive Street Reunion
Westminster, California

For the fourth year, Sigler Park, in the City of Westminster California, was filled with the sounds of adults and children talking, laughing and enjoying themselves. They gathered for the Fourth Annual Olive Street Reunion on Saturday the 29^th of September 2007.

 The reunion has grown since its inception as news of its success has spread. The reunion was established primarily to gather and preserve the Hispanic history of our great grandparents, grandparents and parents. Many were considered pioneers settling in and around Olive Street. Some worked the fields near bye or worked in the neighboring cities as the street was transformed into a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood.

 The settlers had a mixed bag of ancestors: Mexican, Puerto Rican, Portuguese, Spanish etc. but they had one thing in common. They were on an expedition to find a place to call home. They wanted a better life for themselves and their children.

 Young and old had wonderful time sharing thoughts and memories of what Westminster used to be and has become. New acquaintances were formed with promises of staying in touch. They remembered relatives and friends who had passed away and relished time with old friends. Old photos and keepsakes were lovingly and carefully displayed. Each was treasured and a part of Westminsters history.

This year the Long Distance winner was from England with a close second from Connecticut. We broke bread together and enjoyed the warmth of the event and the beautiful weather. Over 250 people participated in the event. We hope to have a bigger and better event next year. 

The Olive Street Committee would like to express their thanks to all that participated and made this years reunion a success, to those who brought their favorite delicious dishes to share, to the hard working red shirt committee members, to Las Tapatias Folklorico and to those who brought their photos and keepsakes to share with one and all.

Here are some photos of the event. Hope you enjoy them!

Ricardo Valverde 

1st Lt. Michael Alba
338th Fighter Squadron, 
England, November 14, 1944

Honoring Veterans and Fallen Soldiers 
of the San Fernando Valley

Exhibit Organized and Mounted by Vickie Carrillo Norton
  parmy@adelphia.net   
For more information: 818-838-6360

San Fernando Museum 
of Art and History
519 S. Brand Blvd.
San Fernando, CA

Exhibit: Honoring Veterans and Fallen Soldiers of the San Fernando Valley,  will run until the end of January.

Photos and memorabilia feature many of the men from San Fernando and Pacoima areas. On display are David M. Gonzales' ( Medal of Honor) photos and news articles among others. We have historic pictures of local men (Lyon brothers) from WWI stationed at Camp Kearny, San Diego to current photos. We also have paintings by Frank A. Martinez, Sergio Hernandez and Ignacio Gomez in our gallery.            Artist Frank A. Martinez                        

Frank lives locally in Pacoima and was a WWII Veteran.  He was a medic when the Americans stormed the beaches in Normandy, France.  The painting behind him depicts his experience on that historic event. Also one of his murals about the early history of California and Father Sierra is located in the Cathedral of Our Lady Queen of Angels in Los Angeles.  Frank is a very humble man and ranks high on my list.


Photo on left: 
Armando Ballesteros Family

Albert Carrillo and Tony Vasquez

CALIFORNIA

The San José Pueblo Papers are the earliest municipal documents from the first civil settlement in the State of California – El Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe, now the City of San José. As such, the San José Pueblo Papers are a gold mine of history and a wealth of information on the original life of the town of El Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe.

The papers have been owned by the City of San José since its incorporation in 1850 and date to the period 1781 to 1854. During the Depression a partial translation of the Pueblo Papers was done as a Works Project Administration project. There was an early index made of the papers at this time but, as a result of José and Patsy’s work, was found to be incomplete.

Clyde Arbuckle, the first San José museum director, arranged to have the Pueblo Papers and other municipal documents transferred to the Statehouse Museum at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds in the 1950s. Also in the 1950s the papers were microfilmed and a photocopy was made from which an abstracted index was created. The approximately 6,000 pages were moved in the 1970s to the San José Historical Museum in Kelley Park along with other historical artifacts and documents. The original papers were housed in acid free folders and boxes and were kept in the Archives vault. In 2007 the papers were relocated to a state of the art archival facility operated by History San José at the San José City Service Yard.

There are Pueblo Papers in the Archive which had been separated from the main body of documents over time. Archivists are still are finding these Pueblo Papers mixed with the San José court records because the Pueblo Papers were taken into court for proof in legal cases. The Pueblo Papers precede the San José court records that are currently being organized and properly archived at History San José.

José Pantoja came to the United States in 1950 from Jalisco, Mexico; he worked as a laborer by day and took classes at night. Eventually he became a journeyman carpenter and spent much of his career at San José State University until his retirement in 1991. His hunger for knowledge and interest in an ancestor who was a map maker who took part in Spanish explorations of Alta California led him to study genealogy and paleography (the study of old documents) and attend courses and conferences offered through the Mormon Church in Salt Lake City. He became a member of the Hispanic Genealogical and Historical Society in San José and a valued volunteer and teacher at the LDS San José Family History Center and at History San José. He will be celebrating his 80^th birthday with his family and friends in November of 2007.

Patsy Ludwig was born and raised in Watsonville, California, attended Watsonville High School and San José City College. The family story told by her grandparents led to her interest in genealogy, which led to learning how to read and write Spanish and eventually to learning paleography. Patsy was a founder of the Hispanic Genealogical and Historical Society in San José and a supervisor, teacher, and expert genealogist for LDS San José Family History Center for 14 years where she met José Pantoja in about 1991. She has authored three books on genealogy.

While at the LDS San José Family History Center, José met Monte Duran, the former San José Historical Museum Events Coordinator. Mr. Duran felt that José’s research and Spanish language skills were just what was needed for the Pueblo Papers project which was planned by Leslie Masunaga, former Archivist of the San José Historical Museum. Although these papers had nothing to do with the Spanish exploration period that José was interested in, he decided to become involved. José invited Patsy Ludwig to look at the Pueblo Papers and, with his passion for preservation, convinced Patsy that they needed to do this work. He realized that this would be a specialized job that he and Patsy were qualified for because not many people knew how to read the hand-written Spanish of 19^th Century Alta California, a language with specific regionalisms, indigenous terminology and abbreviations of the New World.

When José and Patsy started working with the Pueblo Papers they found the original papers were not organized in any way and the microfilms of the papers were also unorganized, blurry and not in chronological order nor in a consistent position on the page. Their first effort of about ten years was to arrange the papers in chronological order. This required that José read copies each document to determine in general the topic of the document and the date.

José made trips to Mexico where he researched sources that helped him with the translations. Other helpful sources were found through the Mormon Church. José traveled to the Archivo de las Indias in Seville, Spain for six months to search for missing documents on the early settlement of San José and sent back to History San José 1200 pages of photocopies of these documents which he indexed. One of the documents he found was the first census of the Pueblo of San José which had been missing.

After the initial organizing of the papers, José began translating complete documents. After he had translated about 200 documents they decided, with the new Archivist Paula Jabloner, that an annotated index should be created before any more complete documents were translated. An annotated index allows researchers to identify the specific documents of interest and from there, full translation of the document could be done. José wrote out the translations for the annotated index in contemporary Spanish and Patsy translated the contemporary Spanish to English.

Points to be included in a Commendation from San José City Council Member Sam Liccardo to José Pantoja and Patsy Castro Ludwig for their work organizing and translating the San José Pueblo Papers, the earliest municipal documents of El Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe.

• made copies of the microfilmed Pueblo Papers
• chronologically organized the copies of the microfilmed papers
• chronologically organized the older copies of the original documents
• chronologically organized the original documents
• mastered the penmanship
• learned to read the handwritten 19^th century Alta California Spanish and abbreviations of the time
• translated the 19^th Century Spanish and prepared a handwritten annotated index in modern Spanish which provided a summary of the contents of each document (not a translation)
• translated the modern Spanish into English and prepared a handwritten annotated index in English which provided a summary of the contents of each document (not a translation)
• entered the English index into computer files
• in reconciling the microfilmed documents with the original documents and copies, discovered that some of the documents which had been microfilmed at another institution were not in possession of History San José
• Patsy also worked at home typing the index in English and also indexed microfilm #5 of the Pueblo Papers which was out of order.
• Phase I was completed about 2005

• Patsy entered the indexed data into FileMaker Pro database
• This data included an annotation of each document with dates, written by, sent to, and search/retrieval terminology
• José chronologically organized the copies of the documents he found in Spain into the History San José folders
• Phase II ended in Spring of 2007 when Patsy moved to the Sacramento area
• José’s work on the Pueblo Papers has continued from home since Spring 2007 when he and his wife moved to Clovis, CA

José Pantoja: In all José estimates that his volunteer effort at the museum took place twice a week for three hours a day over a period of fourteen years, plus time at home and trips to Mexico and Spain. There is still much more work to be done.

Patsy Castro Ludwig: Patsy estimates she volunteered 4-5 hours a week for eight years at the museum to enter the handwritten index of the Pueblo Papers into computer documents, plus time at home. This work was not completed when she left.

John Ramos prepared a hand written annotated index of the post-statehood (1846 to about 1856) Pueblo Papers which were in English.

Under the direction of Professors Rose Marie Beebe (Modern Languages) and Robert M. Senkewicz (History) of Santa Clara University, students in three advanced Spanish translation courses produced transcriptions and translations of twenty two documents which covered the year 1809. These were published by Santa Clara University in 1998 as "A Year in the Life of a Spanish Colonial Pueblo: San José de Guadalupe in 1809 – Official Correspondence." A second set of 65 documents covering the Mexican period from 1822-1825 have been translated and will be published in 2008.

Elena Robles assisted José in translating from Spanish to English documents from Mexico on the individual settlers of the Pueblo of San José. This was in preparation for a book on San José’s founders which would document details of their lives from the towns of their origin in Mexico. This work is unfinished.

Complete the indexing of documents

Translation of selected documents from 19^th Century Alta California Spanish to Modern Spanish to English

Transcription of documents into machine readable Spanish and English

Estimated cost $1.5 million

Future Work Remaining in the History San José Archive (from Patsy Ludwig_:

1. complete entering the hand-written index into the computer index
2. check and match up Original Pueblo Papers to index
3. complete making copies of Original Pueblo Papers to conserve use of the originals
4. use the microfilm to match up and find what documents are missing today from the microfilming at Bancroft Library
5. make a list of missing documents, find them, make copies, and place the copies into the HSJ archive
6. translate the Modern Spanish translations of the Pueblo Papers into English for future historians.
7. index translations already done for easy use by researchers
8. scan all original Pueblo Papers to computer for future researchers
9. check each document to be sure it is complete; for incomplete documents, find any missing parts of documents and match them together accurately

(Note from Patsy: In some indexing of Pueblo Papers which had no dates these were inserted closest to what was believed to be that date or time. This was after Patsy was gone. These documents need to have a person search for the matching or continuation of the document or letter.)

ludwig-paz@sbcglobal.net

Elk Grove Veterans Day Parade honors Mexican-American War Veterans
http://www.webshots.com/search?query=2007+Elk+Grove+Vets+Day+Parade

This year the Elk Grove Veterans Day Parade Committee Honors the Mexican-American War Veterans with Grand Marshal - Sergeant Major Richard Martinez representing all Mexican-American War Veterans.  

Born in Del Rio, Texas on September 11, 1931, a 15-year-old Richard Martinez climbed aboard a farm labor truck for the seven-day trip to San Jose, California, where he would make his life for the next 48 years before coming to Sacramento.   Now, 76, Sgt. Major Martinez and his wife of 60 years, Trinidad, live in the Lemon Hill area.  

Sergeant Major Richard Martinez has served in Korea, Vietnam, and Desert Storm; a distinction at 59 ½, that made him the oldest reservist called to active duty.  His decorations include Expert Infantry Badge, Infantry Shoulder Cord, Soldier’s Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Korean Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and a Presidential Unit Citation to name a few.   Sgt. Major Martinez served his country for 41 years until he retired recently.  

Of his greatest honors, Sgt. Major has been an Honorary Member of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society since 1988.  He has escorted disabled recipients of the Medal of Honor to biannual conventions, and has met the last 10 living Mexican-American recipients.  

As we honor the Mexican-American War Veterans, keep in mind that best estimates indicate that during W W II, more than 500,000 Hispanics served in the armed forces from 1941 to 1946, most of them were Mexican-American.   They served in the Army, Army Air Corps, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and the Merchant Marine.  They were pilots, navigators, bombardiers, gunners, etc.

But this is not news.  Hispanics have been part of the fighting for freedom since the American Revolution; they were at New Orleans in the War of 1812, the Civil War, and with Teddy Roosevelt.   Mexican-Americans have served in the Armed Forces of this country in overwhelming numbers.  They are on duty in Iraq and Afghanistan right now.

How many of us has ever had the honor to read - simply read -  a congressional citation of an award for the Medal of Honor?   Take just a few minutes for this one  - Mexican-American Lucian Adams:  

The President of the United States, in the name of the Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR  to Lucian Adams.  

     Rank and organization:   Staff Sergeant, US Army, 30^th Infantry, 3^rd Infantry Division 
     Place and Date:  Near St. Die, France, 28 October 1944

     Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty on 28 October 1944, near St. Die, France.  When his company was stopped in its effort to drive through the Mortagne Forest to reopen the supply line to the isolated third battalion.  S/Sgt Adams braved the concentrated fire of machineguns in a lone assault on a force of German troops.  Although his company has progressed less than 10 yards and had lost 3 killed and 6 wounded, S/Sgt Adams charged forward dodging from tree to tree firing a borrowed BAR from the hip.  Despite intense machinegun fire which the enemy directed at him and the rifle grenades which struck the trees over his head showering him with broken twigs and branches, S/Sgt Adams made his way to within 10 yards of the closest machine gun and killed the gunner with a hand grenade.  An enemy soldier threw hand grenades at him from a position only 10 yards distant; however, S/Sgt Adams dispatched him with a single burst of BAR fire.  Charging into the vortex of the enemy fire, he killed another machine gunner at 15 yards range with a hand grenade, and forced the surrender of 2 supporting infantrymen.  Although the remainder of the German group concentrated the full force of its automatic weapons fire in a desperate effort to knock him out, he proceeded through the woods to find and exterminate 5 more of the enemy.   Finally, when the third German machine gun opened up on him from a range of 20 yards, S/Sgt Adams killed the gunner with BAR fire.  In the course of the action, he personally killed 9 Germans, eliminated 3 enemy machineguns, vanquished a specialized force which was armed with automatic weapons and grenade launchers, cleared the woods of hostile elements, and re-opened the severed supply lines to the assault companies of his battalion.  

                                                                                   Norm De Young nrdeyoung@yahoo.com                                                                                     Parade Coordinator  

For the first time in the most current wave of immigration, U.S. Census Bureau figures show that 70 percent of California's Mexican population are U.S. citizens, blunting widespread belief the state is overrun by illegal immigrants. The findings are part of new data that casts a spotlight on a steady demographic transition between 2000 and 2006, with the state leading the nation in the number of Mexican immigrants gaining citizenship.

California's Mexican population, boosted by a boom in births, is moving steadily into citizenship, with Mexican-Americans comprising about 7.6 million of the state's 36 million residents in 2006.

Nationally, the U.S. Office of Immigration Statistics estimates about 11.6 million illegal immigrants in the country as of January 2006, with about 6.6 million of that total being from Mexico. The Census Bureau says there are 11.5 million Mexican immigrants in the United States.

The 2006 census data, released several weeks ago, is based on a statistical sample and therefore contains some statistical error.  The census estimates, however, align closely with U.S. Department of Homeland Security naturalization records and with state public health records on births to Latino mothers. California does not break down birth records by Latino subgroups, but Mexicans are by far the largest group in the state according to census data.

The figures show Mexican-American citizenship in California increased by 3 percentage points from 67 percent in 2000 to 70 percent at the end of 2006. They also show that roughly half of the 460,766 Mexican immigrants who became naturalized citizens nationwide between 2000 and 2006 were in California. 

Births to people of Mexican ancestry are the biggest factor driving the citizenship spurt, with state public health records and census data showing there have been about 1.5 million children born to parents of Mexican ancestry since 2000, but it's unknown how many of those are children of illegal immigrants.

In Santa Clara County, the increase in citizens of Mexican ancestry due to birth and naturalization exceeds the growth in non-citizen immigrants by a 3-1 ratio this decade, census data shows. Juan Loerca is a prime example. He came to Santa Clara County three years ago from the Mexican province of Sinaloa. He was married at the time, but he and his young bride didn't have any children.

Just five months ago, he and his wife, Lucilla, had their first son in this country. "He's American," the 28-year-old said, smiling as he called his son's birth in the country his first "gift" to him. Loerca and his wife, who would someday like to become naturalized citizens, could be forced to leave through deportation if their illegal status draws government attention.   

"It's as though we make our immigration policy in a vacuum," said Ira Mehlman, a spokesman for FAIR. Those births have "ramifications for schools, for health care institutions and all sorts of things, and those things need to be considered in terms of formulating immigration policies."

Even in Los Angeles County, long a haven for illegal Mexican immigrants, new census data shows that the growth in that population has stopped dead this decade, as the legal and illegal immigrant stream has transferred to other parts of the U.S. California's share of the U.S. total of all Mexican immigrants is dropping, declining from 42 percent of the nation's total in 2000 to 36 percent in 2006, an analysis of census data by the Mercury News shows.

The picture is very different in other areas of the country, with several pockets beginning to feel the ripple effects of illegal Mexican immigration and fueling division over immigration reform.

In North Carolina, the state with the biggest percentage of Latino growth during the 1990s, just 41 percent of Mexicans are U.S. citizens, and there has been no increase since 2000 in the total number of Mexican-Americans who have become citizens through naturalization there.

While Mehlman, of FAIR, agrees California may represent the future of immigration for the rest of the country, he predicts that future is not necessarily an attractive one. Los Angeles is a particularly divided place, he said, between troubled public schools and affluent private ones, between affluent whites and the Latino workers who cross town each day to tend their gardens and clean their homes.

"The state generally is becoming a two-class society . . . The outlook in California, I don't see it as being all that rosy," Mehlman said. "What we've been saying all along is that unless you control this influx, what happens is wages get driven down. In this case (Mexican immigrants) are going to other places, but it is not a good thing to drive down the wages in any market."

The transition of California's Mexican population toward citizenship is not uniform across the state. Fast growing inland areas, such as Riverside County in Southern California and Contra Costa County in the Bay Area, are gaining immigrants more quickly than they are gaining Mexican-American citizens, a reverse of the situation in Santa Clara, Los Angeles and San Diego counties.

Camarillo, the Stanford professor, said the tenor of the nation's immigration debate is pushing many Mexican immigrants to become citizens. "They see the handwriting on the wall - things are getting more difficult for immigrants," he said.

Roselia Aguilar, a 29-year-old native of Mexico who has lived in San Jose for a dozen years, had a pragmatic reason for becoming a U.S. citizen recently - she was worried about changing immigration laws. But as she stood amid 450 people from 57 nations, raised her right hand and solemnly took an oath to "entirely renounce" her fidelity to any other country, "to bear true faith and allegiance" to the Constitution, and to bear arms for the United States if necessary, she felt moved by the feeling of belonging to her new country.

"I think it's one of the most important things that ever happened to me," she said moments after a recent naturalization ceremony in Campbell. "It's just different. I feel something nice inside me. I feel like that I was born again.

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

It is with sincere appreciation to you, and all the Board Members of the Juana Briones Foundation who have been passionate and diligent in their efforts to save the Briones House from demolition. Today, the house is still standing--and it truly represents Early California's past, and a great pioneer woman, Juana Briones de Miranda.   Many thanks to PAST for taking on this enormous challenge--a win win for sure.   Take care, Lorri

Jfmcd@aol.com wrote: Several noteworthy developments:

PAST Heritage has allocated $5,000 that will be used to match any donations that come in before the end of the year for the cause. Write Briones match on the For line of your check, make the check out to PAST, and mail to PAST at P.O. Box 308 Palo Alto 94302 Susan Kirk, whose family owned the house for several generations, Boyd de Larios who got the process going to hire an attorney to help save the house, and I, who worked on tours of the house and served on the board of the Juana Briones Heritage Foundation at one time, went to speak at PAST's board meeting early this month, and after we left they voted to donate to encourage more public participation in raising the attorney fees and considering the future of the house. PAST will also be featuring the house in its next newsletter.

Clark and Kathy Akatiff are the main workers on the dedication ceremony of the California state historic marker in Juana's honor, to be held at 3:30, Thursday, November 1, in Esther Clark Park on Old Adobe Road in Palo Alto, which is on a small part of the 4,400-acre ranch Juana purchased in 1844, and down the street from her house.

We do not yet have a date for the court case concerning the house, but I am copying here a paragraph from a recent letter from Attorney Susan Brandt-Hawley to PAST:

"I am confident that we can win this case, which will require the City to prepare an Environmental Impact Report before considering the issuance of a demolition permit. The EIR will also look at alternatives to demolition that could allow the house to be rehabilitated other  than demolished. The process also gives us time to pursue a creative solution, looking for a public-interest use for the property and monies to buy it."    Jeanne Farr McDonnell


Contributions are needed to finance the lawsuit stopping the demolition of the Juana Briones House in Palo Alto. The plaintiffs, Friends of the Briones House, arranged for PAST (Palo Alto Stanford Heritage), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, to accept donations which will be tax-deductible to the donor.  PAST has pledged to match contributions to a total of $5,000 made before Dec 31, 2007, in addition to the $4000 that PAST previously contributed to start the suit. We need to raise an additional $10,000.

The address is PAST, Box 308, Palo Alto 94302. Be sure to write 'Briones' on the 'For' line of your check. If you are donating through your employer who makes matching contributions, and require other than a post office box, the PAST address is 351 Homer Avenue,  Palo Alto, CA 94301. Further developments can be accessed by selecting “Juana Briones House”   http://www.pastheritage.org/links.htm

Sent Boyd de Larios

Concerned citizens are asked to support a proposed history museum at the SF Presidio by writing letters before December 15, 2007. The proposal includes recognition of the Hispanic history and influence on our state, nation, and world.

The SF Presidio is a National Historic Park and a National Historic Landmark District. After the decommissioning of the San Francisco Presidio and the exit of the Sixth Army, ending 220 years of military and cultural history, the Presidio was converted to a National Park under the management of the Presidio Trust.

The Presidio Historical Association’s website states, "No museum or significant visitors' center for explaining Presidio history has existed for the past ten years of Presidio Trust and National Park Service management. Where is that museum?" The PHA website at http://www.presidioassociation.org further comments, "Our role is to prevent excesses from the commercialization of the Presidio that damage the historical integrity of this precious historical site. That challenge faces us today!"

Projects already in process for the Main Post include landscaping the Main Parade with grass, a 3 story, 120 room hotel (for which a developer has been selected), a Disney Family Museum, a "Center Against Violence", and a new proposal for a 100,000 square foot museum housing a contemporary art collection.

The Presidio Trust is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on an amendment to the original Presidio Trust Management Plan (PTMP) allowing these projects in the Main Post area. Letters about the negative impact of non-history related development and land use of the National Historic District should be addressed to:

John Pelka, Compliance Manager
Presidio Trust
P.O. Box 24057
34 Graham Avenue
San Francisco, Ca 94129-0052

Letters of comment on the choice between a contemporary art museum and an explanatory historical center in the heart of the SF Presidio should be sent to: 
Craig Middelton, Executive Director

SOUTHWESTERN UNITED STATES

El Paso, Texas, has had as many wartime heroes as any other city in the United States. And, in the aftermath of war, the citizens of this border town pay homage to those heroes – both dead and alive – with great enthusiasm. Ironically, the man who is probably El Paso’s most popular soldier is not a native son, but a son of the Mexican State of Chihuahua. Although he was not a native son and he originally joined the army from Colorado, he became El Paso’s adopted son and one of its most revered wartime heroes.

According to his own account, Marcelino Serna was born in a mining camp outside of the city of Chihuahua in the State of Chihuahua, on April 26, 1896. At the age of 17, he crossed the Texas-Chihuahua border as an undocumented immigrant. For a few months he worked in El Paso, but like many other young Mexican men, he sought employment with the railroads, which represented the main arteries of transportation in the early part of the Twentieth Century.

Source of photos:
http://www.epcc.edu/nwlibrary/borderlands/23/Marcelino%20Serna%20-%201.jpg

Employment with the railroads usually led migrant laborers to points throughout the United States and Marcelino first worked with a maintenance crew along the Santa Fe Railroad and eventually joined a Kansas railroad maintenance crew working along the Union Pacific Railroad at about the same time that the United States joined World War I in 1917. But much of the work available to Mexican laborers was seasonal and they usually drifted from one job to another and from one industry to another in the course of a year.

Eventually, Marcelino Serna moved on to Colorado to find employment with other laborers in the sugar beet industry. Later in the year, federal officials in Denver picked up a group of young Mexicans, including Marcelino, while they were playing billiards in a pool hall. The "feds" wanted to check to see if the men had registered for the draft. In 1978, Marcelino told Ramon Villalobos of the El Paso Times that "they held me in jail for several days, but not locked in a cell. After four days of waiting for my draft classification, I told them to forget it – that I wanted to volunteer."

So, to avoid deportation, Marcelino enlisted. The draft board approved his request and sent him to Fort Morgan, Colorado for processing. After passing his physical, Marcelino officially joined the service on October 9, 1917 and was then sent to Camp Funston, Kansas, for basic training.

In an interview with Bill Birch of the El Paso Times in 1962, Marcelino said that "I spoke little English at that time. In fact in my outfit, some 67 of us were unable to speak much English. We had one man in the outfit who could speak both Spanish and English and he was pretty busy keeping us informed of what was going on." After only three weeks of training, the 20-year-old Serna was shipped to Liverpool, England. During the 17-day journey to England, Serna continued to learn English in the hopes of being able to communicate better with his fellow soldiers. His comrades nicknamed him "Chief."

Private Serna was assigned to Company B, 355th Infantry of the 89th Division, also known as the Midwest Division because most of the soldiers hailed from Kansas, Colorado, Utah, South Dakota, New Mexico and Arizona. This division was destined to see some of the heaviest action and bloodiest battles in World War I and its actions have been well chronicled in several works.

When Serna arrived in France, his captain called him to his quarters and asked him if he wanted a discharge. When Serna asked him why, the captain "told me he had a letter from Washington authorizing my release." Serna, however, refused to accept the discharge. "I told the captain I wanted to stay with my buddies, and he told me it would be OK." This decision opened the door to several months of battlefield experiences that would not end until the Armistice was signed ending the war on November 11, 1918. By the time the war had ended, Marcelino Serna had seen action in some of the most dangerous actions of the war, including the following campaigns:

• Lucey Sector (August 10 to September 11, 1918)
• St. Mihiel Offensive (September 12 to 16, 1918)
• Euvezin Sector (September 17 to October 7, 1918)
• Meuse-Argonne (October 19 to November 11, 1918)

In one of many battlefield actions, Serna told Bill Birch that "one morning, in heavy brush and during a heavy rain in Belgium, my platoon was trying to move forward." However, he continued, "a German machine gun pinned us down and about 12 of our men were killed. At my request the lieutenant let me go forward alone and in my own way." Marcelino "jumped up and ran about 10 yards and then hit the dirt." He repeated this action several times, even as enemy fire hit his helmet twice. Finally, "when I got close enough, I threw four grenades into the nest. Eight Germans came out with their hands up. Another six were in the nest – dead. I held my prisoners until help arrived."

In the St. Mihiel Offensive, George H. English’s History of the 89^th Division (page 104) credited the five-foot, six-inch Serna with the single-handed capture of twenty-four Germans. In his 1963 interview with Bill Birch, Marcelino described the event in detail. After a battle of 45 minutes, he recalled, "They came out with their hands up. I captured 24 and about 16 were killed in the action. I herded them into a tight group with a .45 automatic in one hand and a Luger, which I had picked up, in the other. After a few minutes I was able to fire an SOS flare and my buddies came to help me."

On November 7, 1918, after months of combat, in which Marcelino successfully avoided injury and death, he was shot in both legs by a German sniper, mere days before the Armistice was signed. In his 1978 El Paso Times interview with Ramon Villalobos, Serna said that, after this injury, he spent several months in a military hospital in France recovering from wounds. While he was there, Gen. John J. Pershing, Commander-in-Chief of the American Expeditionary Forces, pinned the Distinguished Service Cross on him. This was the second highest American combat award. And, Marcelino added, a few days later, Field Marshal Foch, Supreme Commander of the Allied troops, awarded him with the French Croix de Guerre for bravery.

In all, Marcelino Serna was decorated nine times by four nations for his bravery and efficiency in battle. His extraordinary heroism in four major engagement won recognition from both the United States and three of its allies. He earned the following medals:

1. The Distinguished Service Cross (for extraordinary heroism in action near Flirey, France, on September 12, 1918)
2. The French Medaille Militaire (Military Medal)
3. The French Croix de Guerre (War Cross) with Palm Medals (two)
4. The Italian Croce di Guerra (War Cross)
5. The British Medal of Honor
6. The World War I Victory Medal with three campaign bars
7. The St. Mihiel Medal
8. The Verdun Medal
9. Two Purple Hearts

After his recovery, Serna spent some time with the occupation forces in Germany before his discharge and return to the United States. In May 1919, he was discharged at Camp Bowie, Texas, and took up residence in El Paso. Young Marcelino quickly became recognized as a hero of World War I. According to the El Paso Times (1955), sixty-nine El Pasoans paid the supreme sacrifice in World War I, but those who had survived were embraced as favorite sons and, in the post-war period, the El Paso Herald periodically informed the world of Marcelino Serna and how his life was going. Proudly the newspaper reported that "few El Pasoans have a war record that equals Serna’s."

Soon after Marcelino settled in El Paso, the El Paso Herald reported on June 7, 1919 that Serna was "looking for a job." But soon after that, Marcelino was invited to participate in a presentation in which he was awarded three of his citations. A 1970 article in the El Paso Herald-Post reported that Marcelino was awarded the medals at Ft. Bliss on August 30, 1919. In attendance were Texas Governor William P. Hobby and Major General Robert L. Howze, the commander of the El Paso Military District.

In 1922, the El Paso Herald reported that Marcelino was employed with the El Paso City Water Works as a truck driver. He would keep this job for the next 11 years. On February 29, 1924, Marcelino Serna became a U.S. citizen and soon married and settled down. In the 1930 census, 33-year-old Marcelino Serna was tallied along with his Mexican-born wife, Simona, as a resident of 3127 E. San Antonio Street in El Paso’s Justice Precinct 101. Marcelino and Simona had a young daughter, Gloria, but also shared their household with Marcelino’s sister-in-law, Maria Jimenez, and her three children. In this census, Marcelino had given 1914 as his date of immigration to the U.S. and stated that he was a naturalized citizen.

Between 1930 and 1937, Marcelino and Simona had three more children, Caroline, Julliette and Ester. During this time, the Quartermaster Department also hired Marcelino as a plumber with the civil service at nearby Ft. Bliss. In 1940, as the Second World War crept closer to America’s shores, the El Paso Herald reported that 45-year-old Marcelino Serna "lives quietly in South El Paso, works daily on a WPA project at Ft. Bliss. Thoughts of war had been tucked away in a remote corner of his memory – until America’s draft brought them back." After the United States joined World War II, Marcelino was invited to appear in Liberty Hall where El Paso veterans’ organizations honored the first group of 28 youths accepted for the draft in El Paso.

In later years, Marcelino took up a new job as a plumber at the William Beaumont Hospital before his retirement in 1961. In 1962, the El Paso Times reported that Marcelino had retired to take "up the growing of roses and other flowers" as a hobby. Serna’s flower garden, however, came to an end when his home and those of his neighbors were removed to make way for the Chamizal Highway. He then took up a new residence on Buena Vista Street and continued to enjoy gardening as his hobby.

In 1970, the El Paso Herald-Post reported that Marcelino suffered a stroke, which left one arm partially paralyzed. However, the decorated veteran continued to enjoy his landscaping endeavors and family activities. For many years, Marcelino Serna was an honored participant in El Paso’s Veteran's Day parades. In 1973, the El Paso reported that the Marcos V. Armijo VFW Post 2753 honored Marcelino at his home with a 40-year pin for continuous membership. On February 29, 1992, Private Marcelino Serna died at the age of 95.

Although Marcelino was a great hero to the people of El Paso, many friends and family members were concerned that the rest of the country did not recognize his bravery and courage. In 2004, his daughter, Gloria, told Erica Molina of the El Paso Times that Marcelino "never received the Medal of Honor, and the reason they gave was he wasn’t a U.S. citizen at that time." Several people did, however, express an interest in his story. In 1978, Marcelino told Ramon Villalobos of the El Paso Times that "several years ago, a man came to see me about writing a book about my war experiences. We talked for two days, but the man never came back."

Three years after Marcelino’s death, the Honorable Ronald D. Coleman introduced legislation before the Texas House of Representatives, as a tribute to the late Marcelino Serna (H.R. January 17, 1995). In that legislation, Coleman requested that Serna be awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously, which he clearly deserved. In his statement, Coleman explained that although other countries had awarded him their highest honors, the U.S. had not, citing "that he was a buck private, and because he was not a citizen of this country at the time, or because he could not speak English well…"

Years later, at the 80^th Texas Legislature, Representative Juan Manuel Escobar, a highly-decorated Vietnam veteran, introduced House Concurrent Resolution 200, memorializing Congress to reopen consideration of posthumously awarding Marcelino Serna the Medal of Honor. In addition, El Paso resident Roberto Lerma started his own campaign to get Marcelino the Medal of Honor, explaining that "I always thought it was unjust for the government to do what it did. It’s time to honor America’s heroes – all of the Americans." Marcelino’s grandson, Lucio Serna, added his voice: "He never asked for anything and he never back down from anything. It’s just something I think he deserves."

Sources:

Birch, Bill, "Hero of World War I Campaigns Grows Flowers, Recalls Combat," El Paso Times, June 29, 1962.

"Decorated Hero In El Paso – He, Too, Looking For a Job," El Paso Herald, June 7, 1919.

"El Paso’s Top Decorated WWI Hero To Be Honored By VFW Post," El Paso Times, February 3, 1970, page 1B.

"El Paso – Then And Now: Where Are Boys Who Went Away to World War I?," El Paso Times, November 6, 1955, pg. 5B.

English, George H., History of the 89th Division, U.S.A. From Its Organization in 1917, Through its Operations in the World War, The Occupation of Germany and Until Demobilization in 1919 (Denver, Colorado: The War Society of the 89th Division, 1920).

Gomez, Elena, "Marcelino Serna Became World War I Hero," Borderlands. Online:

http://www.epcc.edu/nwlibrary/borderlands/23/marcelino%20serna.htm

Molina, Erica, "WWI Vet’s Loved Ones Try to Get Him Medal," El Paso Times, May 31, 2004, Page B1.

"Most Decorated Soldier in El Paso: Hero of World War I Rides in Parade," El Paso Herald-Post, November 11, 1970, page B1, Column 3.

Serna, Louis, "Sernas of the World," Online: <http://sernasoftheworld.blogspot.com/>

"Vet With Nine Medals Guest At Draft Party," El Paso Herald, November 15, 1940.

Villalobos, Ramon, "Feats of El Paso’s WWI Hero Won Medals But No Movie," The El Paso Times, September 24, 1978, page 11-B.

John Schmal is the coauthor of "The Indigenous Roots of a Mexican-American Family" (available as item M2469 through Heritage Books at http://heritagebooks.com). Recently, he also published "The Journey to Latino Political Representation" (available as item S4114) about the struggle for Tejano and Californio representation from 1848 to 2004.

As you may recall from earlier emails we exchanged, I have written several books about people, places, and events in northern New Mexico. In 2005, I wrote, "The Sernas of the World, a Family History", which is a complete history of the Sernas of NM, Spain, and other places in Europe, and our origins in the Middle East and in Celtic Ireland. The book is $45.00 and contains a vast genealogy of Sernas, our family history, coats of arms, interviews with other Sernas around the world, over 50 pictures and much more. It is the most comprehensive source of information on Sernas that exists today. The book is also available i n Spanish.

Christmas is coming soon…! In order for everyone to have a copy of my book, or to give a copy to friends and family for Christmas, I have produced an E-Book version of the Serna book in PDF format, available on a CD or as an attachment on the internet for only $20.00.

If you would like a copy, just email me back and I'll send it out to you.To order, send check or money order to: 
Louis F. Serna
11831 Bucking Bronco Trail SE
Albuquerque, NM 87123

I can be reached in Albuquerque at: 505-291-0261 or at: sernabook@comcast.net.
To know more about me and the book, visit: www.sernasoftheworld.com
http://sernasoftheworld.blogspot.com/

Valarie  divinaarts@earthlink.net

Father Kino discovered this area in 1691 and established his first mission in the Continental U.S. here. The mission site is now in ruins. In the early 1700s, Juan Bautista de Anza (Sr.) introduced cattle at Guevavi, making this the oldest cattle ranch in Arizona. The ranch was homesteaded in 1915 and eventually became one of the largest and most influential cattle ranches in Southern Arizona. The name of the bed and breakfast honors Salvador Corona who was a famous Mexican bullfighter and muralist. During the 1940s and 1950s, Corona painted the courtyard walls with scenes of Mexican peasants. Later the ranch became a Hollywood hideaway when its owner, Ralph Wingfield, lent some of his cattle for the filming of the John Wayne classic, "Red River." John Wayne became close friends with Ralph Wingfield and spent time at the ranch. Currently the ranch is owned by Phil and Wendy Stover and operates as a bed and breakfast.

Region: Tucson & Southern Arizona
348 South River Road, HC2 Box 96
Nogales, Zip: 85628
Phone/Fax: (520) 287-6503
Website: www.haciendacorona.com
Sent by Dorinda Moreno

The Bath Riots: Indignity Along the Mexican Border by John Burnett

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5176177&sc=emaf

African-American

African By Legacy, Mexican By Birth

African By Legacy, Mexican By Birth 
ISBN: 0-9663978-9-4 soft cover, 75 pages, $30.00
Catalogue available at www.maschulo.com
www.youtube.com/MarcoVillalobos
510.717.9384
Sent by marco.villalobos@gmail.com