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As WWII vets die, so do their stories
ELSA — Felix Rodriguez Jr. is determined to make sure his father’s legacy lives on. His father, Felix Rodriguez, died June 26 in his home in Elsa. He was one of about 16 million American men and women who served during World War II.
Only about 2.07 million service members are alive today, according to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
With the passing of each day, the history of World War II veteran experiences is dying, too, Noe Alvarado said.
He is presently the commander of the McAllen American Legion and served in the U.S. Army for seven years.
“We are losing about 1,000 World War II veterans worldwide each day,” he said. “And every single individual military person — whether they were a Marine, sailor, soldier or airman — has his or her own story.”
Alvarado said he takes every opportunity he has to sit with World War II veterans and listen to their experiences.
“After they are gone,” he said, “we’ll still share their stories that they told us at one time or another. Maybe when we are gone, somebody will remember their stories because of us.”
Through his experiences with World War II vets, he has been able to create an oral history, much like the Rodriguez family has done with their father’s stories.
“We tell his stories to my sons and nieces and nephews — to all of his grandchildren,” Felix Rodriguez Jr. said. “We have his story preserved so they can pass it on, too.”
Felix Rodriguez was born in McAllen. He enlisted in the Army in 1944 and served for two years. He traveled to many of the Pacific islands and saw many things, his son said. He was even present on the USS Missouri when the Japanese surrendered.
With every passing day, the greatest generation of war veterans is dying, and they are taking a piece of history with them, said Felix Rodriguez Jr.
“I am so sad knowing that is going to happen,” he said. “We must ensure that those stories be told.”
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Lindsay Machak covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach her at (956) 683-4462.
