"Honoring Yesterday, Appreciating Today, Inspiring Tomorrow" . . . . . . . the premier Mexican-American Veterans Association in America
Historical Contributions
Historical Contributions of Hispanic/Mexican-American Veterans:
Please see the link below for "Hispanics in America's Defense"
for a historical summary of various contributions by Hispanic Americans
since the American Revolution, published in 1982 by the US Defense
Department, which includes at least 37 Hispanic US Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, the highest honor the nation can bestow.
Per page 40, "Hispanic American have shown that if
there is a theme to Hispanic participation in America's wars, it is:
'First in...Last to leave' ! "
See also Lt. Everett Alvarez Jr.; 1st American Pilot
& 1st Hispanic-American POW from Viet Nam, and confirmed as the
longest confined POW (8 1/2 years) in US history (pg 38.)
Hispanic US Congressional Medal of Honor recipients: See link below which lists 43 Hispanic US Congressional Medal of Honorrecipients, which also includes four Medal of Honor recipients who were born in Mexico.
Living History Week Nov 5th-Nov 9th, 2012: UMAVA veterans from WWII; Korea; Vietnam and Cold War era) traveled to Oregon and spoke to thousands of students from over 18 high schools. This was our third trip, and it was a very memorable experience for our students, and all of our veterans. We again participated with Tuskegee Airmen, Lt Gen Russell Davis, President of Tuskegee Airmen; Sam Sandoval, WWII-Navajo Code Talker; Phillip Coon, WWII-Bataan Death March Survivor and Native American Veteran from an OK tribe; other Native American Veterans from several tribes across the USA; Mike MCGrath-POW for 6 yrs by the Vietnamese; and many many more historically significant heroes, such as Pearl Harbor Survivors - the Frozen Chosen etc...some served in 3 major conflicts (WWII; Korea; Vietnam.). DEFINITELY a unique experience of our lives. — at Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, in Portland, OR.
Lt. General Ricardo S. Sanchez:
Gen. Sanchez spoke to group of Veterans in Santa Ana, which included UMAVA members, on Thursday November 5, 2009.
Gen. Sanchez was the Key-note Speaker on Nov. 7th at the
"13th Annual Veterans Day Celebration - A Tribute to Mexican-American
Veterans" which is held annually at CSU-Fullerton.
Gen. Sanchez' trip was sponsored by Judge Fred Aguirre and his organization.
All four of Gen. Sanchez' grandparents were born in Mexico.
Gen. Sanchez is one of three Latinos to earn the rank of
Lt. Gen. in the US Army. This represents a historical and significant
contribution to America's defense.
Gen. Sanchez was also on had to sign his new memoir, 'Wiser in Battle - A Soldier's Story' - "...former commander of coalition forces in Iraq, reports back from the front lines of the global war on terror to provide a comprehensive and chilling exploration of America's historic military and foreign policy blunder..."
Andrew Carroll, Author "War Letters" NY Times Bestseller:
In 1998, Andrew Carroll founded the Legacy Project, with the goal of
remembering Americans who have served their nation and preserving their
letters for posterity. Since then, over 50,000 letters have poured in
from around the country.
A play was performed based on "War Letters" at Chapman University, in Orange, CA Fall of 2010.
Over 20 complimentary tickets were offered to our veterans community. Several of our UMAVA members attended the play.
L. Andrew Carroll, Author Playwright; Francisco J. Barragan, Commander-UMAVA
Fred Bella, Co-Founder of UMAVA
UMAVA Lifetime Honorary Member because of his contributions in establishing UMAVA in 2005.
Has led and served UMAVA in various roles (Commander; and Vice-Commander)
UMAVA is extremely proud of our very active 3 "Silver Star" Recipients:
Eusebio Perez
Antonio Mendez
Frank Ramirez
The "Silver Star" is the third-highest award (from the US Congressional Medal of Honor) our nation can bestow.
Eusebio at Veterans Fair - 2009 Aug
Eusebio Perez Silver Star WWII Combat Veteran- US Army. Born in Zacatecas, Mexico. Came to US as a child. Became US Citizen on May 29, 1944 in Liverpool England, shortly before D-Day. Passed away on January 9, 2011 (RIP) He would have been 95 on February 20, 2011 Served as Tank Crew member for Gen. Patton's Army. "Hell on Wheels"
Antonio Mendez Silver Star WWII Combat Veteran. US Army - 89 yrs (on 4/1/2011) Married to Elsie Mendez for 62 years Antonio & Elsie are UMAVA Board members.
Antonio Mendez - at Lou Correa & Paul Rodriguez Dinner - Oct 2009
Antonio Mendez at Lt Gen. Sanchez Key-Note Speech: Nov 2009 - Looking Sharp!!!
Frank Ramirez - at Lou Correa & Paul Rodriguez Dinner - Oct 2009
Frank Ramirez Silver Star Korea - Combat Veteran US Army 78 yrs
Latino Advocates for Education, Inc. (Judge Fred Aguirre, President): See link below to Hispanic/Mexican-American Veteran profiles and other topics.
Judge Fred Aguirre, President-Latino Advocates for Education at 13th Annual Veterans Day (Nov 2009)
JUDGE SONIA SOTOMAYOR (55 yrs): Sworn in as the first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice. She is the 111th Justice.
Francisco J. Barragan and Nellie Caudillo Kaniski (US Marines - retired; Executive Director of Mana de OC; and UMAVA member) joined other supporters to see the televised Senate Confirmation Hearings for Judge Sotomayor.
click on the link below for OC Register article on the televised hearing - in which UMAVA members participated.
Francisco Barragan was quoted with respect to Judge Sotomayor nomination.
