Western New York Hispanic American Veterans Memorial Monument
Western New York Hispanic American Veterans Memorial Monument, Ground Breaking Marker, Located at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval Park and was erected by the Western New York Hispanic American Veterans Memorial Inc. This is the Ground Breaking Marker
Hispanic Heritage "Bring Us Your History!" Project
Buffalo & Erie County Public Library
2013
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Digital collection copyright 2016 by the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library. This collection or portions thereof are not to be used for any commercial purposes without the expressed written permission of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library. Users of this website are free to utilize material from this collection for non-commercial and educational purposes.
Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Digital Collections
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Vidal Rodríguez Complete Interview
This interview took place in Vidal’s home in Buffalo, NY. Alma Carrillo conducted the interview. Vidal was born September 22, 1931. He came to Buffalo originally from Puerto Rico looking for more opportunity. He arrived in Western New York in 1951, to Medina. He came to work on a farm originally, and ended up working various jobs. He ultimately worked at General Motors until retiring after 35 years. Vidal also mentions his wife, Carmita, who he has been married to for 55 years - he thinks. Vidal describes the difficult situation in Puerto Rico that brought him to Buffalo, and the fact that even after all these years, he has not learned much English. He admits this did make life more difficult. He says that most of his life has simply been spent working, not doing much else. He finally considers whether it was better for him to come to Buffalo.
Esta entrevista tomó lugar en la casa de Vidal en Buffalo, NY. Alma Carrillo condujo la entrevista. Vidal nació el 22 de septiembre del año 1931. Llegó a Nueva York del Oeste en el año 1951, a Medina. Al principio, él vino para trabajar en una finca. Últimamente, trabajó en General Motors hasta se jubiló después de 35 años. Vidal también mencionó a su esposa, Carmita, con quién se ha estado casado por 55 años - él piensa. Vidal describe la situación difícil en Puerto Rico que lo llevó a Búfalo, y el hecho de que después de todos los años, él todavía no ha aprendido mucho inglés. Él admite que eso hizo más difícil su vida aquí. Él dice que por se ha pasado la mayoría de su vida trabajando, y no mucho más de eso. Finalmente, considera si valió la pena venir a Búfalo.
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Hispanic Heritage "Bring Us Your History!" Project
Buffalo & Erie County Public Library
2013-07-27
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Digital collection copyright 2016 by the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library. This collection or portions thereof are not to be used for any commercial purposes without the expressed written permission of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library. Users of this website are free to utilize material from this collection for non-commercial and educational purposes.
Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Digital Collections
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English
Ventura Colon
This interview with Ventura Colon was conducted by Maritza Vega on August 3, 2014. Ventura Colon arrived in Buffalo as a child in 1956. He grew up on the East Side in a predominantly Italian and Puerto Rican community. At the time, the East Side was home to the first wave of Puerto Rican migrants who arrived in the 1950s and primarily worked in Buffalo’s industrial sector. In this interview, Ventura describes his childhood from first attending school to growing up in a culturally rich community. He, along with many of his childhood friends, became very civically active as a result of growing ethnic tensions and acts of discrimination against the Hispanic community. They created a youth civic action group and later, as adults, became diligent activists in the community. There was an overwhelming belief that the community must support itself in order to maintain culture and respect. Like many Puerto Rican migrants, Ventura joined the US Army and served in the Vietnam War. He speaks very highly of this experience and maintains great pride in his service to his country. While he was entirely aware of the stigma that comes with being a Vietnam War vet, he still feels very proud to have been able to defend this country. Ventura was a part of the Hispanic Veterans Memorial Committee and shares the history and meaning of the monument. The Hispanic Veterans Memorial is one of three in the entirety of the United States and the only one that celebrates the contributions women make in the Armed Forces. The monument is a huge source of pride in the community since many Hispanics have and still serve in the Armed Forces.
La entrevista con Ventura Colón fue conducido por Maritza Vega el 3 de agosto de 2014. Ventura Colón llegó a Búfalo como niño en el año 1956. Se creció al East Side en un vecindario primariamente italiano y puertorriqueño. En esa época, el East Side fue la parte donde la primera ola de puertorriqueños estableció sus vidas durante la década de los 50 y primariamente trabajaba en la industria. En esta entrevista, Ventura describe su niñez desde el punto de empezar en la escuela hasta la vida cotidiana dentro de una comunidad rica de cultura. Él, al lado de sus amigos, se volvió muy activo cívicamente como resultado del aumento del racismo y actos de discriminación contra de los hispanos. Ellos crearon un grupo de acción cívica y más tarde, como adulto, se volvió muy diligente como activista dentro de la comunidad. Había un sentimiento fuerte dentro de la comunidad que la comunidad se necesita apoyar para preservar la cultura y el respecto. Como muchos migrantes puertorriqueños, Ventura se inscribió al ejército estadounidense y servía en la Guerra de Vietnam. Él habla con mucho orgullo sobre su experiencia y mantiene el mismo orgullo en su servicio a su país. Mientras se daba cuenta del sentimiento general de la población estadounidense sobre la participación del gobierno y los soldados en la Guerra de Vietnam, Ventura se siente orgulloso de tener la oportunidad para defender su país. Ventura fue miembro del comité para la construcción del Monumento de los Veteranos Hispanos y comparte la historia y el sentimiento del monumento. El Monumento de los Veteranos Hispanos es uno de tres construidos en los Estados Unidos y el único que tiene una representación de una mujer porque las mujeres (hispanas) también han servido este país y merecen este respecto para sus sacrificios en las Fuerzas Armadas. Este monumento es una fuente de orgullo para la comunidad hispana por su participación hoy en día y en el pasado en las Fuerzas Armadas.
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Hispanic Heritage "Bring Us Your History!" Project
Buffalo & Erie County Public Library
2014-08-03
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Digital collection copyright 2016 by the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library. This collection or portions thereof are not to be used for any commercial purposes without the expressed written permission of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library. Users of this website are free to utilize material from this collection for non-commercial and educational purposes.
Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Digital Collections
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Unknown (Standing), Bennie Manero (Standing Center), Freddy Francesca (Kneeling Left), Gabriel Velazquez (Kneeling Center) and Mike Rivera (Kneeling Right)
Swan St (Puerto Rican Cultural Community Center)
Hispanic Heritage "Bring Us Your History!" Project
Buffalo & Erie County Public Library
1970
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Digital collection copyright 2016 by the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library. This collection or portions thereof are not to be used for any commercial purposes without the expressed written permission of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library. Users of this website are free to utilize material from this collection for non-commercial and educational purposes.
Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Digital Collections
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Union Puertorriqueña de Ayuda Mutua : Photo Album
The Unión Puertorriqueña de Ayuda Mutua was an organization formed to help newly arrived Hispanics/Latinos to the region. They provided translation services as well as assistance going to places such as the doctor's office or governmental entities such as the Department of Social Services.
Hispanic Heritage "Bring Us Your History!" Project
Buffalo & Erie County Public Library
1960s
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Digital collection copyright 2016 by the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library. This collection or portions thereof are not to be used for any commercial purposes without the expressed written permission of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library. Users of this website are free to utilize material from this collection for non-commercial and educational purposes.
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The Puerto Rican Tigers
Team sponsored by the Puerto Rican Community House
Hispanic Heritage "Bring Us Your History!" Project
Buffalo & Erie County Public Library
1970
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Digital collection copyright 2016 by the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library. This collection or portions thereof are not to be used for any commercial purposes without the expressed written permission of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library. Users of this website are free to utilize material from this collection for non-commercial and educational purposes.
Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Digital Collections
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The Puerto Rican Tigers
Team sponsored by the Puerto Rican Community House
Hispanic Heritage "Bring Us Your History!" Project
Buffalo & Erie County Public Library
1970
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=37&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Hispanic+Heritage+Council+of+WNY%2C+INC">Hispanic Heritage Council of WNY, INC</a>
Digital collection copyright 2016 by the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library. This collection or portions thereof are not to be used for any commercial purposes without the expressed written permission of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library. Users of this website are free to utilize material from this collection for non-commercial and educational purposes.
Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Digital Collections
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The Gabriel A. Rodriguez American Legion Post 1928 : Photo Album
In 1985, the Hispanic community decided to dedicate American Legion Post 1928 in the honor of Gabriel A. Rodriguez who served in military during Vietnam but later took his own life due to untreated PTSD. The community has always remembered Gabriel as a kindhearted community driven man who was suffering from untreated PTSD. At this time, the military did not properly support veterans suffering from this illness and many took their lives as a consequence. The American Legion was also where the Boy Scouts of America held their meetings and the venue was open to the community for special events.
Hispanic Heritage "Bring Us Your History!" Project
Buffalo & Erie County Public Library
1985
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Digital collection copyright 2016 by the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library. This collection or portions thereof are not to be used for any commercial purposes without the expressed written permission of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library. Users of this website are free to utilize material from this collection for non-commercial and educational purposes.
Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Digital Collections
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The Baez Familys
Members of Primer Iglesias de Asambleas Cristianas Pentecostal, Virginia Street, Buffalo, NY
Hispanic Heritage "Bring Us Your History!" Project
Buffalo & Erie County Public Library
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Digital collection copyright 2016 by the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library. This collection or portions thereof are not to be used for any commercial purposes without the expressed written permission of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library. Users of this website are free to utilize material from this collection for non-commercial and educational purposes.
Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Digital Collections
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Super Trio : Photo Album
Musical performances were integral parts of Hispanic celebrations. Super Trio was a popular performance group in the local Hispanic community.
Hispanic Heritage "Bring Us Your History!" Project
Buffalo & Erie County Public Library
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Digital collection copyright 2016 by the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library. This collection or portions thereof are not to be used for any commercial purposes without the expressed written permission of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library. Users of this website are free to utilize material from this collection for non-commercial and educational purposes.
Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Digital Collections
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