DRHCC
  • Home
    • NEWSLETTERS
  • DRHCC News
  • Board Members
  • Member Directory
  • Spotlight
  • Ribbon Cuttings
    • EVENTS >
      • 2018 >
        • JAN 2018
        • FEB 2018
        • MARCH 2018
        • APRIL 2018
        • JULY 2018
        • AUGUST 2018
        • DECEMBER 2018
      • 2017 >
        • Dec 2017
        • Nov 2017
        • 2017
      • Past Events >
        • Masquerade Ball 2017
        • DRHCC 2016 GALA
        • Gutierrez Scholarship Dance
        • 2015 Gutierrez Fundraiser
        • 2015 USBP Women's Seminar
        • 2014 Gala
        • DRHCC 2014 Boofest
        • 2014 Fair & Cookoff
        • 2014 Candidates Forum
        • 2014 Scholarship Dance
  • Membership
  • Contact Us

JOSE MARTINEZ

8/6/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
MSGT (USAF Retired) JOSE MARTINEZ • NOVEMBER 14, 1935 --  July 19, 2020
If we truly believe that our country is the land of opportunity for immigrants in search of the American Dream, then Mr. Jose (Joe) Martinez is a perfect example.
Although we do not know the particular details, we can envision a young 12-year old Mexican boy in the beautiful city of Acapulco somehow having the opportunity of a lifetime. The opportunity of coming to the United States with an American Couple who took interest in this energetic, enthusiastic young boy.   Perhaps  he got their attention with his positive can-do attitude, his sparkling dark eyes and beautiful smile;  whatever it may have been,  he never took this opportunity for granted and never forgot where he came from.
Growing up in Connecticut, he graduated from Woodstock Academy and joined the United States Air Force.  His career took him all over the world receiving awards and decorations, and retiring with the rank of MSGT.  He and his wife Ernestina were the proud parents of five children (his son MSgt Jose Martinez and daughter Marisa Martinez Beal;  and sons, Jesus Cerda (USAF Retired), Enrique  Cerda (MSgt USAF Retired) and Daniel Cerda.
As I was gathering comments for this article from friends and family I would ask “What do you remember about Mr. Martinez?”  Sergio Diaz, our DRHCC President, recalled:  “He was everywhere, always involved in our community.  If there was an event going on, you just knew Joe would be there.  Most of the time he would approach you with a Raffle ticket book of some sort, or tickets for a Bar-b-Que.”  Always for a fundraiser for his beloved American GI  Forum, where he was Commander during the time of his passing.  Sergio was right on, and if there was a community event going on, we knew Joe would be there helping  in anyway he could.  If there was a Veteran’s Parade during Veteran’s, or Memorial Day, we knew that it was Mr. Martinez who was the organizer.
The last time I spoke with Mr. Martinez was when I delivered our monthly Del Rio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Newsletter.  I always dropped it in their mailbox, but this time, as if planned, he happened to be out in his front yard.  So we chatted as I handed him the Newsletter.  He said “you know Mrs. Alcala’ I don’t know about you, but I am ready to retire; I mean really retire, so that Tina and I can spend more time traveling and visiting family.”  I said “Joe, you have the right idea, because life is short!”  We said our usual good-byes with “One for the Road!”
Little did I know that indeed life is short and this would be the last time I spoke to our good friend, Jose Martinez.   Life has many twists and turns, and we never know what the next day may bring.  As we celebrated the New Year 2020, we were looking forward to the beginning of a new decade, instead we were greeted with a deadly virus (COVID-19) that would develop into a world Pandemic.   It was this deadly virus that took the life of our friend, but not the memory we have of this proud American who served his country and community with pride.   
We, the Del Rio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce members are proud to honor his memory.   As we raise our glass we toast to his memory and recall his favorite saying:  “Here’s One for the Road!”
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Categories

    All
    DRHCC News
    Events
    From The Chair
    From The Director
    From The President
    From The Vice-President
    Introductions
    Keeping Memories
    Membership Meetings
    Obituary
    Plaque Presentation
    Tips From Our Members

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    July 2021
    May 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    August 2019
    September 2018
    August 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013

    RSS Feed

HOME
NEWS
DRHCC BOARD
MEMBERS
EVENTS
SPOTLIGHT
CONTACT US
MEMBERSHIP

Del Rio Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce

All Rights Reserved
2116 Veterans Boulevard - Suite 1
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1936
Del Rio, Texas
Email: Hispanic.Chamber@drhcc.org

Website by Rolofury|Designs

    Sign up to receive our Email Blast!

Subscribe to the DRHCC Email Blast
  • Home
    • NEWSLETTERS
  • DRHCC News
  • Board Members
  • Member Directory
  • Spotlight
  • Ribbon Cuttings
    • EVENTS >
      • 2018 >
        • JAN 2018
        • FEB 2018
        • MARCH 2018
        • APRIL 2018
        • JULY 2018
        • AUGUST 2018
        • DECEMBER 2018
      • 2017 >
        • Dec 2017
        • Nov 2017
        • 2017
      • Past Events >
        • Masquerade Ball 2017
        • DRHCC 2016 GALA
        • Gutierrez Scholarship Dance
        • 2015 Gutierrez Fundraiser
        • 2015 USBP Women's Seminar
        • 2014 Gala
        • DRHCC 2014 Boofest
        • 2014 Fair & Cookoff
        • 2014 Candidates Forum
        • 2014 Scholarship Dance
  • Membership
  • Contact Us