Manuel Guttierrez 82 years old. Born to dirt poor share cropper Mexican Immigrants. He lived in Texas until he left during WW2 to fight for his country. A country that did not always want him nearly as much as he wanted it.
He fought with his back like so many Minority Soldiers. Not considered fit for duty using a rifle, he loaded ships in the sun and heat. Day after day, week after week, month after month. Over 60 years ago and he can still tell you how much that ammo weighed. You don't have to ask.... you can look at his hunched back and twisted limbs to see it for your self.
Today he gave me his rifle. Told me he would not be shooting it any more. In fact over the last year or so my father inlaw has been quietly handing me things a man values. He hands me things that have marked the passage of time for him. We both know what he is planning for. He knows what happens to old Soldiers. He knows because he is the last one left. His entire unit, all but him are dead and gone. So he is passing on his last load of guns and ammo.
He fought with his back like so many Minority Soldiers. Not considered fit for duty using a rifle, he loaded ships in the sun and heat. Day after day, week after week, month after month. Over 60 years ago and he can still tell you how much that ammo weighed. You don't have to ask.... you can look at his hunched back and twisted limbs to see it for your self.
Today he gave me his rifle. Told me he would not be shooting it any more. In fact over the last year or so my father inlaw has been quietly handing me things a man values. He hands me things that have marked the passage of time for him. We both know what he is planning for. He knows what happens to old Soldiers. He knows because he is the last one left. His entire unit, all but him are dead and gone. So he is passing on his last load of guns and ammo.
