November 2015 Newsletter - San Elizario Genealogy and Historical

November 2015
Presidents Message
Dear Members,
Thanks again, to all our volunteers, donors and staff. I welcome our new Museum Director, Cathe Apodaca. Her first day will be on Sunday, November 1st. Her expertise in our history and experience will be a
great addition to the staff. Pilar Munoz will remain as the Assistant Director. The 2015 Founders Luncheon
was a great success, Thank You to the entire committee or their hard work. Thank you to the District Artists that donated their work for the first annual silent auction: Arturo Avalos, Rob Mack, Dalia Ortega, Bert
Saldana, Manny Alvarado, Alex Montero, Joe Arroyos and myself. I look forward to seeing all of you at the
2015 Luminaria Festival and Posadas Celebration on Saturday, December 19th. The festivities will start at
5 pm. We do need volunteers, so if you have some extra time to fold bags prior to the event, please stop
by and pick up a few bundles. Any help is welcome. Also, don't miss the annual Christmas Tree lighting
ceremony on December 4th at 6:30 pm, by the jail, followed by a two-day ChristKindle Holiday Market.
We have reduced the price of SEGHS T-shirts to $12, sizes small to 2XL. This would make a good Christmas present. We also sell church prints, ornaments, hand-made marble crosses, books and other items.
We look forward to continuing our efforts of preservation, promotion and support of the San Elizario Historic District and El Paso County and the City of San Elizario Community. Your participation is essential to
the success of our activities. Be it as a volunteer, as a contributor, as an attendant or as a promoter. Contact me if you have any questions. This is not an election year, but the President's position is open for a
half term. If you are interested in serving or have any questions, please let us know as soon as possible.
We will need to fill the position before the end of the year.
~ Al Borrego,
President
Veterans Talk
The Historic town of San Elizario will be hosting its 19 th Annual Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony, on
Saturday, November 7, 2015. The parade will start at 9:00 am at Thompson Rd and Socorro Rd, travel east
on Socorro Rd, on to Main Street, to Alarcon Rd and ending at Veterans Memorial Plaza in front of the San
Elceario Chapel. The Ceremonies will continue at Veterans Memorial Plaza at about 10:30 am. Presentation
of the Colors, playing of the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance will be conducted. Special
guests, dignitaries along with our 2015 San Elizario Grand Marshal, Melanie Martinez, will be introduced. A
candle lighting, POW-MIA and Flag folding ceremony will be observed. Five veterans, Isabel Soto-Alvidrez,
Mike N. Borrego, Jose A. Maese, Abraham J. Grijalva, and Armando F. Parra, all having ties/roots to San
Elizario, will be honored for their military service, and each will receive patriotic presentations.
The Veterans Committee of the San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society, cordially invites everyone to
attend the parade and ceremony. Bring your families, neighbors, friends and cameras, and enjoy the day
celebrating and honoring all veterans. While in San Eli, visit our Presidio Chapel, the Portales Museum and
Tourist Center, the Veterans Museum, the Veterans Memorial Brick Walk, the Old County Jail, and the
World Famous Art Galleries that make up the Art District; everything within walking distance. For information, contact Ray Borrego, Chair, San Elizario Veterans Committee, at (915)383-8529. Visit our website
at www.sanelizariogenealogy.com. “
Ray Borrego, Chair - San Elizario Veterans Committee of SEGHS • 915 383-8529 •
E-mail: rayborrego99@msn.com
Website: http://www.sanelizariogenealogy.com
The Soldiers of San Elizario by Sam Sanchez
In 1957, while stationed at the Marine Corps barracks in Quantico, Virginia I had the opportunity to visit
important Historical sites around Washington D.C.
Located on a peaceful hillside not far from our nation’s capitol stands our national monument to the
memory “of the unknown soldier.” This monument serves to remind the people of our country that our nation has been involved in four major wars during this century alone. As one stands before this monument,
silently whispering a prayer for all of those valiant men and women who died in war, you suddenly realize
that this monument is not only in memory of our dead, but also of the living. In reality, every soldier is “an
unknown soldier.” In truth, wars are fought by millions of faceless men and women who are dedicated to
the service of our country.
Every year, our country deserves “Veteran’s Day,” inviting her citizens to honor those who served their
country and the cause of peace as members of the Armed Forces of the United States. War is not beautiful! In war there are no winners. The truth of the matter is that everyone loses. The only positive gain is a
truce, a peace which all hope and will at last be permanent.
Once again, San Elizario’s Veteran’s are honored with a parade and festivities at the “Veteran’s Day Celebration and to thank our Veteran’s for their service to our country. While in San Elizario, visit the Eduardo
M. Pedregon Veteran’s Museum and the Los Portales Historical Museum.
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Octaviano Larrazolo
This gentleman is very important to the history of San Elizario. He was born in 1859, in El Valle de Allende, México. At the age of ten he was brought to the United States by Bishop Jean Salpoint. The bishop
sent him to be educated in Santa Fe, New Mexico. San Elizario had the first registered public school system in west Texas. Larrazolo became San Elizario’s first school teacher
and principal for six years. After relocating to Las Vegas, New Mexico,
he was elected Governor of New Mexico in November of 1918, for a two
year term. In 1928, he was elected to an unexpired U.S. Senate term.
This makes him the only Mexican-born New Mexico Governor, U.S.
Senator and theonly New Mexican to be elected to both the Governorship and U.S. Senate.
George Sanchez &
Maria del Pilar Munoz
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SEGHS
November Newsletter
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Founders Luncheon
Descendants of San Elizario families gathered on Sunday, September 27 at Alarcon Elementary School to celebrate the 24th Annual Founders Luncheon.
Over 100 guests ate a fajita lunch catered by Tony’s Catering while they listened to the
music of Tito Lujan y Los Alegres del Valle. The tables were decorated with miniature
cactus centerpieces donated by Becky Romero.
Ronald Bowling gave a lively overview of the Bowling-Madrid family tree. Dr. Robert
Skaggs and John Palafox presented a short history of the Montes-Skaggs family. Dr.
Skaggs left copies of the presentation at Los Portales for anyone who is tracing that family line.
Mistress of Ceremonies Patricia Macias and Hilda Rojas distributed a large number of
door prizes that had been donated by SEGHS members. Winners of the drawing were
Elisa Contreras, first prize; Ralph Aranda, second prize and Eva Crucian, third prize. The
first prize drawing was a framed painting of the San Elizario Chapel painted by Elizabeth
Teran, second prize was a basket of San Elizario items from our gift shop and third prize
was an autumn wreath donated by Kila Sanchez. Our newest feature was a silent auction coordinated by SEGHS President Al Borrego. Guests were able to bid on eleven different auction items donated by artists from the San Elizario Historic District. Committee
members who helped with the luncheon included Aurora Bustos, Transito Macias, Emily
Borrego, Mary Lou Borrego, Ruth Vasquez, Kila Sanchez and Magda Flores.
Submitted by Magda Flores
November Newsletter
Page 4
NEW MEMBERS
We would like to welcome our Newest Members:
Laura Mata Brito • Antonio Efren Rios
John Palafox • Corine M. Perez
Eduardo A. Endlich Villegas
Celebrations–
We send our best wishes to Josefina Grijalva De La Cruz who celebrated her 91st birthday
on Saturday, October 24, serenaded with her favorite songs by mariachis and musical group
Orgullo del Valle.
Our Condolences
Prayers For The ILL
Dolores Berru Fresquez
Reymundo F. Gonzalez
Samuel Grijalva Guerra
Martha Garcia
George Hevner
Mike & Teresa Teran
Arnulfo Vasquez
In Memoriam –
We join the following families in mourning the loss of their loved ones:
Dolores (Lola) Berru Fresquez, longtime member of SEGHS, passed away on September 10th in Ysleta. She is survived by; four daughters; 10 grandchildren and 10
great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Vidal and son Vidal
Jr. Dolores was the daughter of Maria Gandara Berru and Vidal Berru and granddaughter of Doña Concha Garcia Berru of the prominent pioneer Garcia family of San
Elizario.
Reymundo F. "Ray" Gonzalez, a San Elizario native who was well known in the
community, died on September 8, 2015. Ray was the brother of Beto and Pina Gonzalez.
Samuel Grijalva Guerra, brother of members Elisa Contreras and Elvira Montes,
passed away August 15th in San Jose, California. Samuel was born and raised in San
Elizario.
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SEGHS
November Newsletter
Page 6
The San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society opens the museum daily,
Tuesday through Sunday, to the general
public and admission is free. The museum
is staffed by knowledgeable volunteers
that will offer additional information to visitors.
The Pistoleros de San Elizario Reenactment troupe performs two free shows of
the ‘Billy the Kid Breakout' every third
Sunday of the month, March through November, in front of the Jail.
Old El Paso County Jail Museum
1551 Main Street • San Elizario, Texas
79849
915-851-0093 / 915-851-1682
Regular Hours:
Tuesday-Friday 10am - 2pm • Saturday:
10am - 4pm
Sunday: 12pm - 4pm • Open during spe-
From Around The State
Austin:
Corpus Christi:
Harlingen:
Houston:
Laredo:
San Antonio:
Victoria:
News from
News from
News from
News from
News from
News from
News from
Tejano Genealogy Society of Austin
Spanish American Genealogical Association (SAGA)
Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Genealogical Society
Hispanic Genealogy Society of Houston
Villa De San Agustin - Laredo Genealogy Society
Los Bexareños Genealogical And Historical Society
Victoria Hispanic Genealogical & Historical Society of Texas
This Section is dedicated to our sister Hispanic Genealogy Societies throughout the state. Thank You, LBGHS for providing the information
Other Genealogy News
Albuquerque:
News From Hispanic Genealogical Research Center of New Mexico
Albuquerque:
News From New Mexico Genealogical Society
Pueblo:
News From Genealogical Society of Hispanic America
St. Louis
News From Center for French Colonial Studies
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SEGHS
November Newsletter
Page 7
San Elizario Genealogy & Historical Society
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1090 San Elizario, Texas 79849
Physical Address: 1521 San Elizario Rd. San Elizario, Texas
Phone #: 915-851-1682 • Fax #: 915-851-0045
Email: sanelizario@sbcglobal.net • www.SanElizarioGenealogy.com