War Stories

Interview Description Facilitator Jorge Rios interviews JoAnn Amavisca-Singh about her family who were pioneers in Yuma, Arizona. Facilitator Subject Log 02:10 JoAnn remembers her childhood in Yuma--going to the movies on Saturday and playing with her sister. 09:40 JoAnn's parents. 18:30 Family's cattle and cattle drives. JoAnn remembers a time the family was stranded by high water during one of the drives down to Tecate. 27:18...

Interview Description Lorenzo Mariano Andre, de 87 años, le cuenta a la facilitadora Anna Walters, de 27 años, sobre su vida laboral, su inmigración a Estados Unidos como parte del Program Bracero, su envolvimiento durante las huelgas de la unión de campesinos (UFW, por sus siglas en Inglés) y sus recuerdos de líder y fundador de la unión, Cesar Chavez. [Lorenzo Mariano Andre, 87, talks to Mobile Facilitator Anna Walters, 27, about his work life, his immigration to the United States as a participant...

Interview Description Frank Aranza (80) is interviewed by Evelyn McKnight (81) about growing up in Houston, TX and enlisting in the military at 15 years old. Facilitator Subject Log 1:00 Facilitator, Nina Porzucki reads a paper describing Frank's family history 10:00 Frank was born on the northside of Houston; school in Houston; segregated from other students because he was not able to speak English 17:08 Americans of Mexican descent;...

Interview Description Carolyn Benitez (54) interviews her friend, Cirilo Arteaga (85) about his life experiences as a Mexican American, including his childhood and schooling in Wichita, his work as an interpreter, and his involvement in sports. Facilitator Subject Log 01:13 Cirilo recalls his childhood neighborhood, growing up in the barrio area of Wichita, KS. 04:37 Cirilo talks about his parents, their experience crossing the border, and what they...

Interview Description Stella Beltrán, 85, tells her son Steven Beltrán, 61, and her granddaughter Mary Beltrán, 21, about her memories growing up - which include moments lived during the Great Depression, World War II, and the Los Angeles of the 1960s and 1970s - as well as her commitment to good citizenship. Facilitator Subject Log 1:10 Stella talks about move to El Paso, discusses lessons learned from father through anecdote (father made her return a watermelon...

Interview Description Randolph Christopher Cabral (55) is interviewed by his friend, Heidi Christine Johnson (38) about his father going blind and his invention of the Braille American flag. Facilitator Subject Log :51 interest in Braille started when his father started losing his sight 3:46 father was confused about his cultural identity; am I Mexican or am I American?; considered himself American; father worked on the railroad 14:46...

Interview Description Jesse T Campos (88) talks with daughter Maria Edna Campos (52) and great grandson Larry Aguirre (9) about his service during WWII and his family. Facilitator Subject Log 03:30 Jesse talks about segregation during his earlier years. He talks about segregation at restaurants. 14:50 Jesse talks about Pearl Harbor and serving in the military. He also talks about the day he learned from his captain that the war was over. He remembers...

Interview Description Leon De Leon (89) talks to his son Reuben R De Leon (40) about his life. Facilitator Subject Log 00:58 Leon talks about being born in Lompoc, CA, but also living in Mexico until he was 7-years-old. 07:50 Leon talks about becoming a signal-man in the Navy. He talks about why he joined the military. 12:30 Leon joined the Merchant Marines and talks about the scariest moment he ever had on a ship. He tells the story about...

Interview Description Arthur "Arturo "Escobar (80) talks with his grandson Xavier Escobar (32) about his life. Facilitator Subject Log 00:40 Arthur was born in Palito Blanco, TX. His father died when he was 8-years-old. 08:20 Arthur talks about his experiences with discrimination and racism. He remembers a time when he was younger and his family went to a restaurant that didn't allow Mexicans through the front door. 11:55 Arthur talks...

Interview Description Guillermo Fernandez (86) habla con su hija Norma E. Fernandez (27) de su vida. [Guillermo Fernandez (86) talks with his daughter Norma E. Fernandez (27) about his life.] Facilitator Subject Log 01:40 Guillermo cuenta historias de su niñez. Fue criado en Pachuca y vivio en un rancho cuando tenia cinco años. 06:00 Guillermo llego a los Estados Unidos en los 40's como bracero. Cuente de su primera experiencia. 09:00...