TRANSCRIPTION
What are your earliest childhood memories?
My dad would always kiss me good bye and give me a nickle. If he went to work without kissing me, I would cry all morning. My saddest memory was when I was five years old, my grandpa was sick and the ambulance took him away. My little brother and I waved "bye" to him. We were crying. I never saw my grandpa again.
What was your feeling about the Vietnam War, were you aware why we were there, and what we were doing?
I felt that we were doing a good thing trying to help them.
How did you feel having military brothers?
I was, and still am very proud of my brothers being in the Marines.
Do you remember what most of the people believed about military men back then?
Some people thought the United States had no business there. Others said "just bomb the whole country", and then there were those who felt for the people of Vietnam.
Did you ever feel mistreated by others because your brother was serving in Vietnam?
No
How was your relationship with your brothers?
It was and is great.
Did you brothers enlist or were drafted?
My three brothers freely enlisted. My mom did not want to sign for my brother Raul, the middle one, since he wasn’t eighteen yet. My dad signed.
What do you think were the reasons that made them to enlist?
My older brother Rudy joined when very young too. Then he traveled throughout the states (all 48, at that time). My older brother enlisted for adventure. Raul enlisted for love of country and duty, and the youngest one Daniel for benefits.
What was your parent’s reaction when your brothers joined the military?
It was okay with my dad, but my mom was proud, but saddened, especially when Raul joined because of the war going on.
Who of your brothers served in Vietnam? was he married?
Raul enlisted in the Marines with dad permission. He volunteered for two tours in Vietnam. He was not married at first, but he married his girlfriend when he was on leave. And married to her!
Do you remember the day he departed to Vietnam?
No, I really don’t remember when he actually left for Vietnam. They did not celebrate or make fuss then like they do now.
Your brother served for two tours, how long was each tour?
Thirteen months.
Do you know what was your brother’s duty there?
My brother was in Infantry, or as they called them a Grunt. He was in the front lines, fighting. He was "point" man.
Once your brother was in service, how was the atmosphere in your home?
My youngest brother decided he wanted to join. My mom stayed at home most of the time. I continued to go to school as did my other sister.
How was the way to communicate with your brother?
The only way was to write to him. There was no internet, face book, or email.
Did he ever get injured?
My brother Raul got hit while out on patrol. He saved several of his buddies while under fire. He was awarded the "Purple Heart" for his valor. When he was wounded, I remember that a Marine came to my high school to pick me up. I had received a letter from my brother. I had to read it to Mom. I remember it said, "I was hit (shot) but tell mom I am fine" To this day, I don't know why the Marine went to pick me up. Was it just to translate or did my mom not believe that he was ok, or did they think my brother wrote something bad against the way?.
Did your brother ever talked about his memories in Vietnam?
My brother seldom if ever talked to us about the horrors of the war. Not even to his wife.
How did war affect his life? Was he able to reincorporate to his past style life? did he get another job?
When he got out, my brother was a heavy drinker. He would have nightmares, and in his sleep he would say out loud the names of his buddies, taking count of the ones that didn’t make it. It was sad. He has conquered the demons. He has then employed at Kelly AFB (Air Force Base)until it shut down. He is at Lackland AFB and thinking of retiring next year. He's still married to his sweet heart " Cookie". They have three children. The oldest girl joined the Army for a couple of years and is now on RW (registrated nurse).
How did the government help your brother after he came back home? Is he receiving any benefits?
My brother receives a porcentage of disability. His health is not all that great. He has back and knee problems and diabetes. During his tour in Vietnam agent orange was commonly used. I think this has affected his health.
Your only son was recently deployed to Afghanistan. How does it change your feelings about war of those when it was your brother in service?
My son is now in Afghanistan. I am a very proud mom. But, then, I have always been proud of my son. I look back now to when my mother had her son in the war. I was not aware of the anguish and sacrifices my mom made. Now as a mom, I realize it, and it is very hard for me. I keep him in my prayers always. I look forward to his emails and calls.
I know his tour will be for six months, and then, he will come home for fifteen days. When he goes on a mission, I get a call before he leaves and when he comes back safe. I honestly do not know how my mom coped with the many weeks and months of not talking to her son! It must have been very difficult. I still think if is very important for us to help the Afghans, but they need to learn to do for themselves too.
Serving in the military has been your son’s big dream, if it were on your hands would you bring him back?
I would jump at the chance to bring him back truthfully. I was a nervous wreck the first few weeks before he deployed. I was depressed and thought, " If I get sick, John will have to come back to care for his sister". But now I think Breana and I have to stay healthy and safe, so he doesn’t have to worry about us. This is John’s dream. I can not take his dream away from him. The lord will protect him. He is my only son and a miracle baby. After having several miscarriages I was able to carry him.
Is there anything else you would like to add to this interview?
As a last comment, my son wrote this yesterday and I would like to share it. "I think to myself this whole war is bull shit. But then, I remember the thumbs up we get from little kids. I see the villiges no longer scared to come out of their houses and their businesses are thriving. I SEE THE GOOD, and I am remined why I signed up for this. Why some things in this world are worth fighting for. Every human deserves a chance even if I some day have to pay the ultimate sacrifice". I know that my son is there because he wants to be there. But I don't want him to pay the ultimate sacrifice.
