CATHOLIC WAR VETERANS GIVE AWAY 10 TURKEYS AT BINGO TODAY NOVEMBER 24, 2013

Photographs & Captions by Jose Luis Torres CWV Historian.

10 Lucky bingo players were given a large turkey this Sunday before Thanksgiving by the Catholic War Veterans.

One of the lucky winners is shown here receiving her turkey.
On behalf of the Catholic War Veterans of Weslaco, Texas,
everybody have a good and wonderful Thanksgiving!

VETERANS DAY 2013, A DAY TO REMEMBER & HONOR THOSE THAT KEEP US FREE.

(Photographs & Captions by Jose Luis Torres CWV Historian.)

Once the flag was up CWV members (L-R) Isaac Vallejo, Gilberto Garza, Luis Garcia, Manuel Lopez, Pete Martinez, Leo Hinojosa, Commander Richard Lopez, Albert Cavazos, Letty Garza (Master of Ceremonies), Marcelino Casas (wheel chair), Andy Esquivel (kneeling), Pete Salazar, Juan Valderas, Jose Luis Torres,Oscar Flores, Joe Guerrero, & Efrain Morales.
(Photo by Sylvia Torres)

At the Catholic War Veterans Hall in Weslaco,
Texas great effort was made to honor our Veterans. At left, Irma Aguero & David Garza
from the Mercedes War Memorial Committee
prepare Veteran Memorabilia. At bottom CWV
members Albert Cavazos, Leo Hinojosa, Pete
Martinez, Richard Lopez & 2 friends of the CWV help hoist a 25 by 14 foot American flag.

A true family affair, 150 years of military service by the Farias family of Brownsville, Texas.
They are brothers Fernando, Matias, Reynaldo, Isauro, Juan & Juvencio Farias.
Nephews are Fernando Jr, Reynaldo Jr, Richard & Roberto Farias. God Bless Them!

Here, three generations of Guerrero's are portrayed. Joe Guerrero Air Force, Joseph Guerrero Jr. Army & Ernie Guerrero Navy (sons of Mr. Guerrero) and his Grandson in the Army.

Joel Lopez Sgt 1st Class Army & Maggie Lopez Staff Sgt Army (son & daughter of CWV Commander Richard Lopez).

Operation Iron Curtain 1976 Specialist Richard Lopez (2nd from left kneeling).
Now known as Commander Lopez CWV.

One of the last letters PFC Juan Guerrero wrote to his family was on a coconut. He is the Uncle of CWV members Richard & Manuel Lopez.

Then the family received a telegram stating" your son PFC Juan Guerrero died of wounds on Luzon 16 apr 45"

Happier ending came out of WW2, PFC Raul Vera from Mercedes survived, here he stands next to a portrait of himself during WW2 in a Scottish kilt. What follows are some of his medals & ribbons.

Thank you PFC Raul Vera, the CWV salutes you!

(L-R) European African Middle Eastern Campaign medal with 2 Bronze Stars & 1 Silver Star.Then the American Defense American Campaign medal. Last, the WW2 Campaign medal.

Chester Nez, the last Navajo Talker from the original platoon of 29 men is the only remaining survivor. At age 92, he still travels and does speaking engagements. He was with the U.S. Marine Corps.

Displayed are 5 Rio Grande Valley K.I.A. that are part of the Mercedes War Memorial.
SSGT. Estevan Altamirano Army from Edcouch, Sgt Rodolfo Rodriguez Jr Army from Weslaco, SPC Kurt Kerns Army from McAllen, SSGT. Joseph H. Frankhauser Marine from McAllen & 1st Lt. Andres Zermenio Army from Brownsville.

Thank you to Letty Garza Channel 5 news anchor for being our Master of Ceremonies. She did a great job. She helped make our tribute to Veterans a complete success.








After the ceremonies Mr. & Mrs. Joe Guerrero
enjoy dinner with friends.

CWV member Juan Valderas & friends also
enjoy dinner.

 Mr. & Mrs. Andy Esquivel enjoy some food
with family.

 (L-R) WW2 Veteran friend of Mr. Raul Vera also 
a WW2 Veteran then David Garza & friend and
on the right side Irma Aguero.

CWV members Isaac Vallejos, Olby Hughes & friend.

 Rosalinda, Mrs. Handy & Mrs. Guerrero.

Mr. & Mrs. Noe Cavazos.

Past CWV Commander Pete Martinez & wife.

 Mr. & Mrs. Andy Esquivel.

Mr. Juan Valderas 30 year veteran.

Mr. Isaac Vallejo.

WESLACO CATHOLIC WAR VETERANS GIVE DONATION TO WESLACO HEADSTART PROGRAM

(Photographs & Captions by Jose Luis Torres CWV Historian).

Catholic War Veterans of Weslaco donate$200.00
to the Hidalgo Head Start program in Weslaco. Accepting
the check is parent Michelle Anciso. Doing the presentation
CWV member Pete Salazar & Commander Richard Lopez.
CWV member Albert Cavazos (in background) doing the announcement.

Thank you for all the good work the Head Start
program does. The children appreciate it!

CATHOLIC WAR VETERANS OF WESLACO HONOR VETERANS THIS VETERANS DAY

(Photographs & Captions by Jose Luis Torres CWV Historian)

This Veterans Day November 11th 2013 is a special day for all veterans. We must remember and honor them. They all fulfilled their duties in their own capacities in times of war and peace. All veterans are brothers at heart because when they joined the military they pledged an oath of allegiance to defend the Constitution of the United States of America in order to protect our way of life. When they signed on the dotted line they pledged to defend this great nation giving of themselves their soul, their body, up to and including their life. We are the greatest nation in the world because throughout our history regular men and women have stepped up when our country called. If you know a veteran please tell him or her thank you for their service. We must never forget that they put their civilian lives on hold while they courageously served our country. Some gave the ultimate sacrifice and because of them we are blessed with the freedoms we enjoy today.

16 Million veterans participated in WW2, approximately 1 million are alive today. They are dieing at a rate of about 600 a day. Here at the Catholic War Veterans Post 770 Weslaco, Texas we are attempting to pay tribute to them one at a time. Below is a great patriot, PFC Jessie Arriaga of Progreso, Texas. Right after the Germans surrendered ending WW2 he participated in the occupation of Germany for a tour of duty. He was with Co. 'C' 357th Military Police Battalion. What follows is a small narrative of his life.

He was born in Donna, Texas on June 11, 1926. Before joining the Army he worked for Western Union in Donna delivering telegrams on his bicycle. He also worked as a house to house salesman selling Chester shoes.

Then in 1945 his draft number came up. He immediately reported for duty and was inducted into the Army. He went through basic training at Fort Bliss, Texas, did further training at Fort Ord, California before being shipped overseas to Germany.

Russia occupied eastern Germany and the U.S., France and Great Britain occupied the western part of Germany. Their mission was to help in the reconstruction of Germany. They helped in getting the manufacturing base back up and running, reconnecting vital utilities such as water and electricity. Re-opening hospitals, helping displaced people settle back in and helping city governments organize and try to get back to normal. PFC Arriagas Unit would guard supply trains as they transported necessary food and equipment between military posts.

After his enlistment was up he studied under the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944. He then worked in California in a furniture repair company, then he worked in Alvin, Texas as an oil pipeline worker. He finally returned to the Rio Grande Valley got a job at Sears & Roebuck and worked there for 34 years until he retired. Presently he lives in Progreso, Texas.

                                                                 

                                                           

Portrait of Mr. Jessie Arriaga as a Catholic War Veteran.

In Mr. Arriagas front yard he proudly displays
the American flag.

He also has the Texas flag flying.

Walking into his covered patio he has the
Texas flag.

Inside his covered patio he also has the
American and Texas flags.

By the front door to his home he
has a small shrine.

Inside his home Mr. Arriaga greets me
with a smile.

A little under the weather because of a recent
fall, his spirits are still up.

His west wall is decorated with patriotic
memorabilia.

The kitchen counter also displays
a patriotic setting.

A proud American his east wall is also
Red, White & Blue.

His south wall also displays love of country.

Mr. Arriaga gave back to his community
as a Knapp Medical Center volunteer
for 50 years.

Knapp Medical Center Awards Mr. Arriaga
a plaque for 50 years as a volunteer.

Mr. Arriaga worked for Sears & Roebuck
for 34 years, this is his 30 year pin.

Catholic War Veterans of Weslaco
recognize Mr. Arriaga for his
military service.

PFC Jessie Arriaga 1945.

Remember that the freedoms we enjoy today are the result of brave men and women
who answered the call of duty yesterday, those who answer the call of duty today
and those who will answer the call of duty tomorrow!

PFC Jessie Arriaga with comrades
in 1945.

PFC Jessie Arriaga Germany 1945.

Weslaco Catholic War Veterans commander Richard Lopez presents
Mr. Arriaga with a copy of his mini pictorial  biography.