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.