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Many of us have known people who have traveled extensively in their lives.   In some instances this was of their own choosing and others it was circumstances beyond their control.
Jonathan Suarez of Kansas City KS is a well-traveled man which becomes his 90 years of age. Sometimes it takes a bit of work asking Hispanic adults to speak of their war-time experiences.

Jonathan was the same, but lately he realizes the importance that Mexican American’s tell their stories, realizing how Public Television overlooked their contributions in the recent documentary “The War.”  

His life began in Alamogordo, New Mexico and then he traveled many miles and had several of life’s experiences before he arrived in Wyandotte County 9 years ago.
 
Alamogordo was established in 1898, and is described as “the southeastern New Mexico gateway to the Land of Enchantment. It is a city which locals and New Mexicans refer to as “Alamo” and is an hour and a half drive north of El Paso, Texas. Suarez was born on September 11, 1918.  His family which included 4 sisters and 3 brothers then moved to Las Vegas, New Mexico when he was 10 years of age.
 
His family again relocated to the Los Angeles area in the year 1932, the year that Los Angeles was host of the 1932 World Olympics.   He remembers being caught up in the excitement of the Olympics and was present for several of the events. Later, world events would cause change in his life. He was drafted in October of 1942 as part of a show-down with the Nazi’s in Europe. Suarez was transported to Camp Gruber, Oklahoma for training.
 
His life was then constant traveling and training as a member of the 88th Infantry Division, 351st Regiment. His Division had training maneuvers in Northern Africa, after a few weeks they boarded ship and were sent to Naples, Italy for more training. His regiment spent the next year chasing the enemy in the hills of Italy. The living was difficult but they fought on as they were trained to do.

The difficult part was to see the suffering of the children and the women who were left behind to survive alone. He and his fellow soldiers would go without food in order to give their rations to the many needy children who were always looking for food and water to drink.
 
He also remembers his regiment traveling so fast that their supply lines could not keep up the pace. In some instances they had to stop and wait or have a detail go to find supplies.

They were often running out of gasoline, water and ammunitions. He vividly remembers the bombing of the Monte Cassino monastery in Italy, founded in 524 AD by St. Benedict. According to history, the bombing was carried out because it was feared the building was being used as a lookout post by the German Army. Because of the advantageous position high up in the mountains, the enemy could fire down on the American’s. Suarez describes the sounds of the many American bomber aircraft as “devastating that day.” There were many aircraft in the sky headed toward the stunningly beautiful monastery building. On February 15, 1944 the monastery located high on a peak was destroyed.
 
In May, 1944 Jonathan was wounded in Italy by enemy fire.   He was sent stateside and later spent Christmas in California at the U.S. Army hospital. The only photo he could share with Caminos of his WWII days was of him sitting in the hospital while he recuperated. He was released from the hospital in November 1945.
 
Jonathan Suarez remembers his buddies and family who also served in the WWII Europe and Pacific battles. His brother served as a gunner in the Army Air Corps and he had 3 uncles and a cousin serving all at the same time.

One irritating memory lingers, although he does not go into much detail. There was a Prisoner of War (POW) camp on the edge of Riverside, California at the end of 1945. He and the other soldiers did not like the attention which the German POW’s were given by the young females who traveled to the camp.
 
Jonathan and his spouse Linda later would live in Mexico. His son Luis had taken some medical technician training in Mexico and would later relocate in Kansas City. Jonathan loves his family. Kansas City suits him fine.

This is another of the many chapters in his life. He is currently recuperating from some health problems. He soon hopes to spend more time with his hobby of model trains (model ‘H’ and ‘N’). Possibly more community activities are in his future.
 
Note: Veterans Day Commemoration on November 11 at 6 p.m.. – The American GI Forum color guard, commemoration and speakers. The event will take place at the Guadalupe Center at 1015 Ave. Cesar Chavez in KC MO. Hot coffee and friendship will be available afterward.
 
Note: Operation “Stand Down” for homeless Veterans will take place Friday November 13th at Memorial Hall on 7th Street. Volunteers needed to hand out clothes and – for cleanup. Open from 7 a.m. – until 4 p.m.

Rudy Padilla can be contacted at opkansas@swbell.net.