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Joseph Gomez |
Peter Macias |
Johnny Muños |
Tony Pompa |
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Joseph Sandoval |
Frank Sandoval
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William Sandoval |
Claro Soliz
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In Silvis, Illinois, just west of Chicago, stands a momument
to eight heroes of Mexican-American descent who gave their lives in defense
of this nation. The monument is a street once named Second Street U.S.A.
It is not much of a street in size--just one and a half
blocks long. The street is muddy with rain in the spring, slick with snow
in the winter, and hazy with dust in the summer. Joe Gomez earned a Silver
Star.
***
Joe Gomez , Peter Masias, Johnny Munos, Tony Pompa, Frank Sandoval, Joseph
Sandoval, William Sandoval, Claro Soliz
grew up together on this small street in a very close knit environment
working for the railroad, as did their fathers who came from Mexico years
before.
They went to war without hesitation, even though their streets were not
paved and the citizens of Silvis chose to ignore the docile, hard working
Mexicans on the edge of town.
They never came back. The men from the 22 families on this block who participated
in World War II, Korea and Vietnam totals 84.
In World War II and Korea, 57 men went from this street. The two Sandoval
families sent thirteen; six from one family; seven from the other. three
Sandoval sons did not come back.
This street reportedly contributed more men, to military service in two
wars--World War II and Korea--than any other place of comparable size in the
United States.
Hero Street U.S.A. stands alone in American military history.
Hero Street Veterans and Memorial Committee at
http://www.neta.com/~1stbooks/herostr2.htm
Back to Hero Street
http://www.neta.com/~1stbooks/hero.htm
Back to http://www.neta.com/~1stbooks/defense.htm
Hispanics in Americas
Defense
Email
1stbooks@neta.com
Hispanic America
USA Copyright © 1996-Present
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