Felicitas H. Lares (nee Hernandez)
Where did your father work?
He worked at Frank's Paint and Body works and at a flower shop when we lived in Luling, Texas. When we moved to San Antonio he worked and retired from City Public Service.
Did your mother work?
My mother was a housewife, but you could say that she worked. She also did housework for the landlord in exchange for rent.
What were your family finances like when you were growing up and how did that affect you?
My father was paid daily, we never had extra money. Some of his friends were on relief. Relief was like welfare in that time. They would pay him with beans, rice or flour.
What were some of your chores as a child?
When I turned eight my nother felt I was old enough to go get kerosene oil everyday for the stove so my mother could cook dinner. That was my chore.
Who were your friends?
Mickey Rodriguez, Domingo Rodriguez and Eloise Hernandez.
What kind of games did you and your friends play?
We played several games like baseball, hopscotch and the whip or as we called it "El Chicote'."El Chicote'.
Tell me about a memorable time in your life, one that you will never forget?
I'll never forget that at the age of 12, in 1942, I left Luling to go to school in San Antonio. I thought to myself, "I am going to get a higher education and will live in a better inviroment."
What are some of the significant changes in our society that you have seen in our lifetime?
One of the changes is that of segregation. When I was a child I was not allowed to go into the neighborhood store to buy anything. I would have to go around the back and order through a small window. I could not understand why? My father would remind me constantly not to go in the front doors. Now we are allowed anywhere, how times have changed.(she laughs)
Was Florentino in the service when you married him?
Yes, he had been in the service for a couple of years before we were married.
What was it like to be a military wife and did you have any duties?
I enjoyed being a military wife, we traveled alot. One of my duties was to help other military wifes during special events. I was also a member of the womans auxilary.Women's Auxiliary.
Did you enjoy living in another country, and how was it different for you?
Yes, it was very nice. We saw many new things like castle's.We also saw snow on high mountains. The only difference was to learn about the Germany Economy and to get use to a different culture.Castle's in Rothenburg, Germany.
What war did Florentino serve in, and what was his position in the US Army?
He served in the Vietnam War. He was a medic in the medical detachment. He dealed with wounded soldiers who came in from the fields.
How did you spend your time when he was on duty?
I would go to the post exchange with my daughter who was born in Nürnberg, Germany. We would go eat out and then take a walk and look at merchandise.
Is there a particular story Florentino shared with you that you will never forget?
I tried to keep up with the news about the war. One morning I heard on the news that Nha Trang which was where Florentino was stationed had been bombed. I prayed and waited for news. The next day he called me to tell me he was okay. He left about 10 minutes before the bombing. As the plane made it's turn to fly away from the base he heard the explosion and saw the black smoke. The airport in the base was no longer there. A few days later his friend wrote to him to show him where they were relocated after the bombing.
The Handbook of Texas Online is a multidisciplinary encyclopedia of Texas history, geography, and culture sponsored by the Texas State Historical Association and the General Libraries at UT-Austin. It was produced in partnership with the College of Liberal Arts and the General Libraries at the University of Texas at Austin. Copyright © The Texas State Historical Association. Last Updated: May 6, 2004.
Castle's in Rothenburg, Germany
