Peña, Gilberto; Abrego, Carmen Peña (father/daughter). Discovery Green Park, 2009-12-11T10:30:00

File — Interview-ID: MBY006040

Interview Description

Gilberto Peña (73) talks with his daughter Carmen Peña Abrego about his life in Brownsville, TX, joining the Army and meeting his wife.

Facilitator Subject Log

01:10 Gilberto moved to the outskirts of Brownsville, TX with his parents and family when he was nine. He talks about the "Smitty "boys, his neighbors, who became his friends.

03:55 Gilberto talks about his friend Dale Smitty teaching him to speak English, while he taught Dale how to speak Spanish. The two were really good friends.

06:18 Gilberto talks about joining the Army when he was 18. He was first sent to Fort Bliss, TX.

10:30 Gilberto talks about why he had joined the Army and his sense of patriotism.

16:00 Gilberto recalls meeting his wife for the first time through mutual friends. They were both in their 30's and unmarried and it took Gilberto a little over a year to propose.