How World War II Affected California's Mexican American Communities

Richard: More than six decades have passed since World War Two ended and soldiers returned home. But the bonds forged by these bands of brothers have been impossible to break. In dwindling numbers they gather at reunions, dusting off their memories and mementoes: They faithfully attend events at American Legion Post 41 in Phoenix, established by Mexican-Americans after the war, (Aim, fire! Aim, fire!) The combat, the hardships, the ultimate sacrifice made by these men and women were not in vain. Veterans took advantage of the GI Bill to advance their educations. Livorio Correa: They eliminated the so-called "poll tax" collected at the voting booth. "If you didn't pay the poll tax, you didn't vote. And we had a big campaign on the poll tax and it helped elect the first Hispanic mayor of El Paso, Raymond Tellez." Richard: Emboldened by their brothers-in-arms, Mexican Americans continued to fight for equality in jobs, housing, and education. Near Houston, Mexican-American educators developed a program to teach English to non-English speaking children it became the model for "Head Start". The American GI Forum, the "Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund" and the "League of United Latin-American Citizens" - all successfully promoted civil rights and equal opportunity. Christine Marin: "No more Mexican theatres, no more separate YMCAs, no more separate sections in the church. No Mexican section, Anglo section in the church. Dr. Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez: "World War II and after their service they really did belong and they had that self-confidence" Richard: Dr. Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez is one of seven children of defense worker Henrietta Lopez Rivas and Ramon Martin Rivas, who was stationed on Alaska's Aleutian Islands. Dr. Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez: "The biggest legacy of that was that my parents taught us to stand up for ourselves and to say that something's not right. To not be afraid to say that this isn't right. And, uh, I think that's the biggest part. I think that comes out of World War II because that's the effect that WWII had on this generation of Latinos. Richard: Dr. Rivas-Rodriguez spearheads the effort to ensure that the contributions of Mexican-Americans will not be forgotten. She and her staff at the University of Texas at Austin have interviewed hundreds of World War II veterans-with key parts of their oral histories published in this book. Raquel Garza: We have this fantastic photo of these five brothers around their little mother on the couch and all of them in their uniform. And I think that's been the amazing thing...is just to realize that...um...you know, these families gave so much and did so much and put up with so much! And came out all the better for it." Pete Dimas: "It's the adventure of your life good or bad..." Richard: Pete Dimas is named for his father, a World War Two veteran who spent time in a German POW camp. His dad's stories inspired Pete to produce his own documentary about Post 41. Silvestre Herrera: I fell and finally I was looking for my gun, because when I stepped on the mine, it blew both my legs... Silvestre Herrera is one of a dozen Latino soldiers awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor during World War II. Their heroism recognized in the larger community thanks to Richard Martinez with the GI Forum. He travels the country with photos and documents celebrating all Latino Medal of Honor recipients. Richard Martinez: I have done that for quite awhile now and I sit back and I watch and I see people take out their handkerchiefs and, and especially veterans. They read the citation and they say how could this guy do that? Risk his life for his friends? And it's something that we do a lot of, out of love for not only our friends, fellow veterans, but for our country. Christine Marin: World War II is a good example of this contribution, the sacrifices that have been made, the struggle that families encountered and dealt with, and the struggles that they overcame in spite of the difficulties of racism and segregation. Beyond that is the larger story of 'Americanism'. Americans are all of us, and Mexican-Americans are also Americans and I think sometimes that is something that is forgotten." Livorio Correa: Let me get this straight. I'm an American. I'm proud of it and by the grace of God a Texan from San Elizario so I don't listen to that garbage. It doesn't affect me; it doesn't bother me because I am an American.We earned it! (“America the Beautiful" in the background) Richard: Now, at last, veterans and their fallen comrades are being honored for all they've given and continue to give to all of us. Because of them our lives are free. Because of them our nation lives...A nation's gratitude expressed in both public and private ways... across the generations: Gilbert D. Orrantia: This is a little essay that my little grandson, Michael Thomas Murphy wrote. "My grandpa is a proud American who served his country bravely. He is an American hero because he was in World War II as an Air Force pilot. He was one of the only Mexican American pilots in the war." Raquel Garza: This love of this nation that didn't love them for so long is just amazing to me. It's just amazing... So, I know. I'm getting all upset. But you know, it's true. Rudy Yniguez: The fathers are proud of what their kids did. My dad was... he was a man. He thanked me. He thanked me for what I had done. Imagine him thanking me? My parents were typical of that generation. They returned from the war, quietly got on with their lives working and raising families, asking only for equal treatment in return. For me as a Mexican-American, I know that without my parent's service and the sacrifices of all the other Mexican-Americans during World War II, my life and, yes, your life, would not be what it is today.