Bob's Blog

Most folks don’t know that Al was raised by his dear Grandma in a rough barrio in South San Antonio.
A true blue Texan, through and through, that’s quite proud of his roots.
But these days, you’re more likely to find him with a congressman representing the USDA on Capitol Hill in a nice fancy suit.
“The Administrator”, in fact, of FSIS; working hard to improve, move the Agency forward, and a big fancy star.
But he’d be the first to tell you that he never expected to get this far.

Now don’t you dare mess with his kids, Brandon, Aaron, and Amanda,
With all of their accomplishments, he is quite proud a Dad, there can be no question of that, hands down.
But you may not have known that years ago he was just “Little Al”, since his Dad was also in USDA, and also quite renowned.
No secret that Al encourages all to strive like he, to be the very best.
That he is a high achiever, there can be no doubt, we can surely attest.

Now if you know Al, you’d say he’s calm, collected and cool.
But he’s probably like that because he’s been there, you see.
He started as an GS-5 USDA slaughter inspector in Dalhart, Texas, in a slaughter plant, just like you and me.
Did he strive to be the best inspector, even back then?
Those of us who’ve known him for thirty-something years, can just about guarantee.

Now Al has done these things for the USDA not because they were easy.
But because some things, at times, had to be done that were tough.
Climbing the career ladder to the top as he did, as everyone knows, is not a simple task, and was surely a “little” rough.
But he did it for the consumer in mind, food safety above all, getting the job done.
Now he’s more humble than I, but surely when he got the top job, probably felt like he hit a great home run!

Another thing you may not know about Al is that he has always been a scrapper, always fighting for the average “Joe”.
His message to the people in the field that are wanting to get ahead, and get promoted
Would be to “Go for it”, and ensure that you make that plan.
Now Al, when it’s all said and done, I hope someday when you are old and gray, that you realize and know,
That we were all quite proud of you, for surely you did the very best for our USDA, and for your fellow man!

Robert Collazo, 8/22/10

Even though I’m a proud American 3rd generation,
For some strange reason,
I know it’s nothing compared to high treason,
But I just can’t seem to take the Mexican part out of me.

Listening now to my Dad’s Mexican music from long ago,
Makes me feel proud; almost like I’m glowing, you know.
From my manner of thinking, to so much else, to the food I like to eat,
So, why should I be so discrete?

My Boss at work, my Son, wonder the same.
But when it’s bred deep inside, why should I tone down the flame?
It’s my way of enjoying my way of life,
So, why cut it out with a knife?

My wife also wonders when that part of me will cease, and come out.
But right or wrong, I know that part of me will always belong.
Know why? Because I’m proud of my heritage, and can just about guarantee,
That I’ll never get that Mexican part out of me.

Robert Collazo, 8/8/10

Anyone who knows of my Collazo family knows that as in every hispanic family in America, we were very proud to volunteer to go off and fight for our Country in times of war.  Well, let me tell you a little bit of background to my main story.  You see, my Grandfather Gerardo and Grandmother Manuelita Collazo had 10 sons and one daughter; yes, believe it, because it’s true!  Now, during World War II, they had 3 sons, Pete, Rudy, & Ignacio, serving overseas at the same time.  So, are we thinking yet, of the movie,”Saving Private Ryan”, or what?  Now, I believe that shortly after that war, my Uncle Joe was in the Air Force.  During the Korean conflict, Uncle Luis served.  Uncle George was in the Navy, and interesting twist here, he also served in the Air Force after his stint in the Navy, and possibly one other military service, according to my Dad…apparently he really wanted to see the world.  However, we’ll leave that for another story.  Uncle Raul was in the Air Force before Vietnam.  Uncle Oscar was in the Navy during Vietnam (I believe).  Last, but not least, my Uncle Fernando was in the Air Force Reserve, and I remember him during his time of active duty that we went to see him at Lackland AFB, was he was the MP on duty at the gate, the most perfect saluting ever saw; sharp!  Wow!!  Wish I would have had my digital camera back then.

Did I forget anyone or leave anyone out? Did I put someone in the wrong military service?  Tios, please correct me if I am incorrect.   How many uncles did I count? (Believe me, folks when you have these many uncles, you almost have to be a wiz at math!)  Eight in active service and one in the Reserves!  Nine Uncles, out of ten Sons born, served in the United States military.  I am so very proud of them and we salute them here today!

Now, getting back to the “Heart” of my main story, and why I am writing this story tonight.  Today, my very Dear Uncle Oscar, who by the way, is the uncle who we would very affectionately call our Collazo Submarine Man!  You know why? You see my Uncle Oscar was in the Navy, specifically he was a Chief Non-Commission Officer in a nuclear submarine…very, very specifically, he was a “Chief of the Boat” of a United States nuclear submarine, that’s why!  I don’t recall what sub he served in, but boy, did I remember him when we’d see all those World War II movies, “Run Silent, Run Deep”…mainly because of him, I recall all those heroic tales of our subs running silent under enemy German U-Boats, sinking them with a torpedo when they could…but again, I am digressing from my story.

I remember listening to Uncle Oscar as a little kid telling us all kind of submarine stories so exciting that you could smell the sea air and hear the coastal birds as he was telling you the story about being underwater for so many days and months.  Funny, I also recall my Aunt Irma, his wife, telling him to stop telling us those stories because it was late and he was keeping us up so very late that night!

Well, I just heard from my Cousin Junior, (Uncle Oscar’s Son), who told me that his own Son, Christopher, had just graduated from his first Navy School!  Cousin Junior stated that they flew Chris into San Antonio recently to surprise Uncle Oscar, and what a surprise Uncle Oscar must have had when he opened his door to find Chris in his full Navy uniform!!  I also heard that they got Uncle Oscar to put on his old Navy uniform so that he and Grandma Irma could pose with their Grandson Chris.  Nice photo of proud Grandparents above!  Wow, look at all those medals and stripes on my Uncle!  You talk about being Navy Proud!!  Wish I could have been there to see that! That’s such a great story!

So, I thought I would pass this great story along to all the world so that we may salute the most recent Collazo Navy Men – Uncle Oscar and Cousin Chris…we are so very proud of you Guys!!  Que Familia! What a tradition, Chris, guess you know you have big shoes to follow… in the footsteps and legacy of Great Collazo Military Men!  Certainly, with our big family, there will be more to come!  So, the Collazo Military legend continues…

Robert Collazo, 8/2/10

P.S.  Just for the record, and according to legend, my Dad, Robert Sr., was too young to volunteer for World War II, and too old for the Korean War.  But don’t worry Dad, I’m still very proud of you anyway!  I am sure that the military needed to keep one of you guys home anyway, right?

My Mom was not born in a hospital, but was delivered at home by a physician.  According to what she was told later by her Mother, since she was born two months premature, they did not think that she would survive, so her Mother was told to “leave her on the bed for awhile, and she will die soon.”

It shocked me when she told me this, since I had not known about this, in my fifty-eighth year of life.  Also, I also did not know that between the time her (older) brother and her own childbirth, her Mother (my Grandmother), had lost four children, who had been born stillborn, and had not survived.  Further, Mom also stated that two other children also did not survive childbirth sometime after her birth.

Wow, that meant that out of eight children she had, only two survived, my uncle Ernest, and her!

Needless to say, my Mom did not die, and has had a full, and satisfying “lively” life, as she would probably say now in her seventy-eighth year.  This was so interesting because when she informed me of this, we were having a discussion about my Son, who was also born two months premature, and we were also told that he probably would not survive. A coincidence, you say?  I don’t believe so.  She would probably say that since we are all born from the same “mata” (plant), we all have the same roots.  Simple as that….

Another thing learned is that since she was given up for dead, no one ever registered her and she never even had a birth certificate until the day she applied for her U. S. Passport to go overseas to see my Brother Bill and family.  It turns out that the U. S. State Department had to do some further research before granting her a passport.  They found out she was in numerous census activity, therefore, they did grant her a passport.  Believe it or Not!

Robert Collazo, 7/25/10

Seems like another normal day at work.
Cases to review; calls to make; it never seems to be dull around here,
Where, of course, everything is just a little berserk.
Suddenly it pops into my head….Am I at the sunset of my career?
Will I miss all this excitement & stress someday near?

Looking back after all these years,
It does not seem that long ago that I reported to that chicken plant as a USDA Inspector & met Javier back in ‘78.
I can still feel all the eyes looking at me as the new rookie on that line, and recall the pit-in-the-stomach fears,
Where I didn’t know a chicken from a hen or a duck, but soon learned those skills;
Then, after only 5 years there, moved on to San Antonio, to that old cow and swine kill, where I met Al.

By then, I was slaughter cross-trained in different species; and they figured I could help elsewhere.
So, I recall Al sending me 400 miles away to the Texas panhandle where I met Louie, Big Joe & Felix,
On those fast slaughter beef kills where you could not relax, for time did not permit.
Nevertheless, what mattered most then, as it does now, was working with the best of folks.
Thinking back, all the friendships started back then, have lasted to this day… like a sweet bouquet!

It was right after the Texas panhandle that for the next 7 years my wife, Son, & I, all lived in Cajun Country.
Baton Rouge was where I met Ronnie, Randy, Bill & Jane; & felt like a new country; a new way of living and enjoying life.
The nicest people there, that took us in like family; we all loved it, and it felt so right.
We did not have much money, but life was so good back then; & with all the Louisiana parties, we felt no strife.
Best of all, I did not have to get all bloody, and work in a slaughter plant anymore, and I actually got to wear a tie.
There I gave the “oath of office” to many, many new hires, including Ron, who years later would return into my life;
Supervising Ron, Big Joe, Kurt, Ed, James, Larry, Shaun, Little Joe, Mac, and Jaime later on for many years, surely made my decision to retire, as easy as pie!

Back to Texas, working with Ken; then Louie & Big Joe again; my family put up with so much for my government time.
Gone from home weeks at a time to so many states that I no longer recall, I have more than a few grey hairs.
The 32 plus years have come and gone like a blink of an eye, and have taken their toll, for I am well past my prime.
No matter; however, for time does not stand still for no one, or so I have been told.
I’m thankful though to have known so many of you who have been there for me like gold.

Even my lunch breaks working on crossword puzzles with Temetha & Linda, (catchatory!), I will miss dearly.
Funny that once I made the decision to retire, and knew I really would not be here next year,
Relished moments more with my bunch in TX, to you across the nation; my good friend Kay, Craig, even Ziggy & Scott in DC.
Of course, after work, no one can obscure great memories of us drinking beer!
Throughout all the years and hard work together, I have felt very honored and quite proud to have served my USDA.
You all have no idea, and cannot comprehend the impact you have had on me, which I most certainly will revere.

Guess it comes down to what my parents preached; to always do your best, to treat others, as you would family.
I have tried to do that, and will be signing off soon; but so very glad that Javier talked me into staying all those years ago!
Nevertheless, many thanks to him; and all of you that have brought me closer to my destination.
You, along with my family, have guided my path all these years like a very clear harvest moon.
Know that I will carry a little piece of each of you with me, for you all have been my strength and my core.
For without any of you, I could not have soared!

To all my USDA colleagues, friends, and family across the country, thanks for all the good memories!  Keep in touch!

Robert Collazo, 4/23/09.  Revised on 6/16/10, and other dates…

My brothers and I, while growing up, didn’t know it at the time,
Whether we were rich or poor, we just knew we were pretty content.
We knew we weren’t exactly upper class but we never took any back seat.
Because my Dad worked very long and hard to ensure that; but to a greater extent,
That our childhoods were the happiest growing up on that little house on 38^th street.

I wonder now, even in yesterday’s economy, the cost of raising four kids,
Including the best of private schools just so that we would grow up righteous and straight,
For that was the only way he saw that it should be, it must be conveyed.
One of the few things I recall well was that my brothers & me would await,
For him to come home from work to us so that we could all talk & most of all, play.

Truth be told, looking back on those days,
I still wonder how he did it.
He was totally unselfish and “everything for my kids”, he would say.
Either way, we grew up feeling most secure with him, I must admit.
For Dad was like our giant oak, protecting us from the world with his love everyday.

Happy Father’s Day, Dad.
Thanks for all your sacrifices you made for us.
We all love you!  Con Mucho Carino, Mi Padre!

Robert Collazo, 6/19/10

Just like every other person, I too have great memories of my Mom on this Mother’s Day.  I recall that when growing up that on that little house on 38th Street in San Antonio, there was always laughter and warmth, and my Mom was a big part of us having happy elements in our lives.  Even though she was the disciplinarian, she still showed us how to always have fun in everything we did.  I still have vivid memories of her and Dad dancing rock and roll (mostly dancing the “Twist”) in that little kitchen that always brings a smile to my face.

Or the time that my baby brother, Eddie, would fall asleep in his high chair during dinner (because he wasn’t allowed to get off until he ate all his veggies).  Mom would get after my other brothers, Frank and Bill, for shooting peas at Eddie, but I would tell her I was the guilty one doing the shooting.  She would then dismiss my other brothers from the “scene of the crime”, and pretend to admonish me in front of them.  Once my brothers left the scene, she would then give me the green light to get out of there with that little special smile on her face that I would recognize, that somehow told me that she knew the real story.

Or the time, going to my first “mix” party.  I was invited to party by a classmate, and when my Mom was driving me to the party she asked me if I had gotten anything for girl putting on the party.  Now, at the time, that thought had not even crossed my mind.  However, I remember my Mom stopping at the first store on the way and buying some little trinket for the girl.  But, of course, I couldn’t divulge to the girl that my Mom had purchased the gift, right?

Or the time when my Son was born two months early, and my Mom finding out that we did not yet have a crib for him.  So, she insisted that we go to a department store to look for a crib.  On the way to the store, I’m thinking that I didn’t have a lot of money to buy one (in the military back then I made $444 a month).  When we saw the finest baby crib (that I knew I could not afford), she immediately knew my predicament and said she was paying for it.  To this day, I still do not know how she knew I was thinking that.

So, thanks Mom, for all the great memories you’ve given me and our family.  It’s hogwash what they say that only daughters have that special bond between their mothers….Sons have them too, Mom.

Have a great Mother’s Day Mom.

Te quiero mucho, Mi Madre.  Un abrazo bien fuerte! – Tu Hijo Mayor.

Robert Collazo, 5/9/10.

I hope everyone took mention of the fact that last Friday, April 21, 2010, the Honorable Judge Abraham Ramirez, one of three surviving founding members of the Latino Learning Center (LLC), located in Houston, was honored at a “Night with the Stars”, First Inaugural Gala, Celebrating LLC’s 30th anniversary.  Judge Ramirez, John Aleman, and Frank Orosco are the three surviving founding members.   The gala was held in Houston and President George H. Bush, his wife, Barbara, along with Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee were also honored that evening.

I’m so very proud of Judge Ramirez’s accomplishments because, of course, he is my Godfather, my life-long mentor, and I consider him family. I wrote about his accomplishments in my November 2008 Blog entitled “My Padrino Abe”.

Padrino, we are so very proud!

Robert Collazo, 4/25/10

Growing up with my brother Frank, life was never dull, and always fun.
He was at times rebellious in his youth; and always had his unique brand of humor.
Thinking different than most folks, he was very competitive, thus was never one to be undone.
He was very protective of his brothers; for he was, and still is, the family anchor.

Through the years, we have shared many experiences, my brother and I.
From our kid’s parties, to our fishing sagas, to now our barbecue outings.
We’ve grown and matured much more than we could have imagined on 38th street.
What we did not know then that family was everything, but now it has made our life more complete.

Of course, my brother was always thought of being “Fearless, Fast, Fantastic Frank”.
Though back then, he sometimes had his mind made up early.
Much wiser, and more open-minded now; and can still out-joke you pointblank,
He is our family jewel; a Grandpa many times over with a beautiful family, and life has brought him many, many blessings!

I hope you had a fantastic 57th birthday yesterday, My Dear Brother.  I love you.

Robert Collazo, 3/31/10

From the first time I met Joe, I knew he was not ordinary, by any means.

Born in Texas, Joe was raised in a small town called Cuero in the “straight and narrow”.
A proud Tex-Mex Hispanic that can still recall the old simple ways of life,
Joe can still verbally state the old Spanish “Dichos” – old sayings that his Grandpa used to tell him.
He is very proud of his close beautiful family, most especially, Sylvia, his wife.

Early on, he learned to wire houses, lay carpet; paint, put roofs on houses,
Working different jobs, just to make ends meet and provide for family back when.
All throughout this, he worked for the State for twenty-six years.
I was told that Joe never failed to amaze folks, even back then.

When Joe retired from the State, he was not one to sit at home and dally.
We hired him and he came to work for the feds as our modern day “Columbo”,
I clearly recall the time in a US Attorney’s office, Joe arguing a case and leaving everyone speechless,
With a closing argument better than the best Harvard lawyer, that most certainly was not routine!

Our “no middle name” or “just plain” Joe, is none of that, for sure,
Recalling funny moments, wearing two pair of glasses; his funny jokes and times at play.
Or the times he’d clumsily knock his head on overhead cabinet doors.
When not in, you can bet the office is most certainly quiet on that day!

Certainly, I’ve been blessed by knowing great folks like Joe in my life,
I can also surely vouch that Joe is no ordinary Joe, by any means!

Robert Collazo, 2/11/10