Bob's Blog

A fellow San Antonian, and an Honor student at JFK High
Jorge was a proud JFK Rocket playing football in his green and white.
He joined the Marines the next year whereby
He worked hard to rise up to corporal with the speed of light;
Where his inner strength and character you could not deny.

Stationed in Afghanistan with his 3rd Battalion troupe,
He was known for settling disputes with his close-knit group.
On his last patrol near the Kajaki Dam,
Jorge stepped on an IED and died.
He gave his life for all of us; for our freedom, for his Uncle Sam.

People have said those explicit photos
Like those depicting him killed on the battlefield
That we should keep them away from the public eye, and we should not show.
If we do that, how then will our kids know what the price of freedom is?
Let’s remember our brother Jorge who is now watching over us with the Lord with sweet aglow.

Lance Cpl. Bryant Whalen says goodbye on the battlefield to his friend, Cpl. Jorge Villarreal, after Villarreal stepped on an improvised explosive device Oct. 17 and died near the Kajaki Dam in Helmand province, Afghanistan. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Here’s an image of Villarreal still alive with his buddies. It was taken before the patrol began.

Cpls. Kevin Ivie, Sam Garcia, Jorge Villarreal and Jonathan Eckert, all of India Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, prepare to head out for a patrol from Forward Operating Base Zeebrugge on Oct. 17. Villarreal died on the patrol after stepping on an IED. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Let’s keep Jorge in our hearts!

Semper Fi, Marine!!

Robert Collazo, 12/03/10

It was a cold day when my Son, Robert, received Beta, a young chihuahua pup, as a gift many years ago.
A bit of a pain and very temperamental to my wife and I, but she provided Robert enormous joy.
I recall the days when Beta sat on my lap, and provided warmth like a good worn blanket in those early days.
Back then, she could hear very well, but still would not listen to you and would run off down the street in a craze.
You knew for sure that she had a mind of her own.

Well, the seasons and the years have come and gone like the wind.
Beta lost her hearing sometime back, but still had a mind of her own.
Almost 18 years to the day she was born, she is gone now.
Beta provided Robert companionship, not to mention stress relief, and an immeasurable amount of love in her own way.
Certainly, no words can describe that and the unquestionable loyalty that she provided since that cold, long ago day.

So sorry about Beta, Son! We’ll miss her too!

Robert Collazo, 11/21/10

I first met and worked with Luis in Plainview, Texas, over 25 years ago.
Getting to know him, I knew even back then of the ladder he sought to climb.
I knew he would achieve good things, and that they would eventually be his;
Because something about his drive, work ethic, pushing; striving to achieve the best all the time.
Sure enough, he moved up that career path like blood swiftly up a big portal vein,
From Texas to Colorado, California, Headquarters, East Coast, and back home to Texas again.

He’s been to so many places, and has been fortunate to meet so many folks along the way
All the places all run together, but friends he’s made for life.
From the good times fishing with friends in the gulf;
To the times crafting his sharp wit telling stories and jokes,
To spending time with his beautiful family that has shaped his life, to all good things been bestowed;
He’d probably say it’s all because all the good folks he has met along the way and gotten to know.

Incredibly faithful to the USDA, a born leader, and a very interesting character to say the least,
Who, at times, you don’t quite know how to take him, for his veneer is quite thick.
Very meticulous in his work; uses spreadsheets and such, to the edge of insanity at times,
Yet a very patient man (had to, to put up with me); doesn’t play silly games and such with politics, and the like.
Most folks don’t know that he hardly ever takes any breaks all day so that his work won’t delay,
We worry that we will find him in his office face-up, hands & feet twitching like a big insect one day.

Now, flash forward, and quite literally, at the top of his game,
With a big fancy title in charge of countless of investigators in eight States laying claim;
You wouldn’t know it since he’s so down to earth; and his commitment for his troops he won’t conceal.
Funny that years ago, he called me the “Wannabe Mex” since, of course, he is the real Mexican deal.
Luis would probably say it was all laid out back then in the bigger plan so long ago,
Even before he ever set foot as a young kid in El Paso.

Robert Collazo, 11/3/10

It’s been great working with you again, Brother!

I first met Deb when she was a Senior Compliance Officer many years ago,
Which now seems like a blur from my past.
Now after 31 years with the USDA, she will be retiring soon, so I just wanted to bestow
My good thoughts about her and all she has done and amassed.

My memory goes back when I first worked with her
On some special investigation or project we were trying to write.
I can recall all our “lively” discussions but at the end, of course, we both concurred;
For we always put the good of the Agency primarily forthright.

Now I’ve been told that the measure of a good person is not how much money, or power you have while you’re here,
But what kind of a footprint you leave behind that won’t disappear.
Well, Deb you’ve done much for FSIS, and should be quite proud you made this place
A little better than you found it, and your legacy will be hard to replace.

Good Luck in retirement, Deb!

Robert Collazo, 10/30/10

We worried as one, like a mother for her lost son.
So good today that we finally had good news from Chile on a great story.
As we watched nervously, like we did with the lunar landing, one-by-one, each miner came out of the ground.
We didn’t have relatives there, but still felt sweet joy and glory
To see the husband, brother, or friend that was lost, now found;
Breathing a sigh of relief, when they came out; truly profound.

The whole world welcomes you home, Brother miners.

Robert Collazo, 10/13/10

Would you still be fighting for noble deeds
If you were still alive today?
Be leading a rally for someone’s rights in some unknown land
Or leading Sean in an unbelievable band?

Somehow I know you’d be protesting something here or there,
Possibly the Noble Peace prize winner dissident in China locked away.
Or maybe some radioactive decay.
You’d still be championing to ensure people secured their rights everyday.

What would you say about all the disarray still in this world today?
Always the optimist, I’m sure you’d say we were fine.
For sure you’d be preaching that as long as we have peace and love,
You would imagine that it’s worth the wait to just get to the finish line.

I, for one, still miss you Johnny…

Robert Collazo, 10/9/10

I talk to Rudy, and we share stuff going on; life, music, and everything again is good.
The power of friends that sweep you away from the chaos of life.
What is it about good buddies that they incite, like a big pilot light?
I can’t seem to put my finger on it other than they take your mind away from your stress.
We laugh so hard sometimes, and everything again is forthright.

It seems that we connect with each other like we are brothers.
For friendship holds no boundaries, no borders, and we commit with all our faults;
No judgments are made, and something I can’t explain, happens that shapes the other
That, at times, no words need to be said to convey.
That is the power of the human spirit, together as one, “Mano a Mano”, as my Dad would say.

Where does that big “caballo” Rudy hail from?
What’s his motis operendi?
Well, his Dad is from Yugoslavia, and his dear Mom is from Slovenia,
I laughed when Rudy told me that his Mom swore that Flaco Jimenez was Slavic too;
It was Flaco’s beautiful accordion polka song that evoked in her sweet memories from her home in her old country.

Rudy had to explain to her that Flaco was a Mexican American from Texas;
Which made me wonder and reinforced in me that we all come from the same melting pot.
That gave me chills, emotions and made me realize
It’s a small world indeed, and what a feat,
If the distance from Texas to Slovenia was so close to the heart of his Mom, then that’s special and pretty sweet!

Robert Collazo, 9/25/10

He does not seem to get too much credit around here.
However, when your computer goes out, he’s the first one we call.
Dedicated and true, that you can be sure, for he’s in it for the long haul.
He’s the one who gets us rolling again and won’t let us stall.

So, who is he?

An only sibling from Louisiana, land of music, gumbo and spice,
Where life is mellow, sweet, and is really good.
Everything there revolves around family, love, and food.
We’re really lucky to have him as part of our USDA family
That we cannot exclude.

So, try to remember Dedric, in the trenches deep for us all,
He’s sure to be working on some computer project, or maybe on some crazy conference call.
Ensuring that our equipment is running just right for you and I;
So that we can shine in our jobs; but really the true support person is he,
That we can surely all agree!

Robert Collazo, 9/23/10

Linda comes from Chicago, where it’s cold, and the winds blow,
To Texas, where the bluebonnets roam, she now makes her home.
She is our rock and support; when we need her, she is there,
So true with a passion that’s really quite rare.

A beautiful family she has, no one can dispute;
With Rick, and their three kids,
There’s Sauti, Niamke, and Taraji- who’s in the military now, and we must salute!
A close-knit family they have, and quite proud of, I bet no one dare refute.

That Linda is our crossword champ, there can be no doubt,
Know that we’ve tried to get her to quit smoking, but hey, watch out!
At times, a force to be reckoned with, headstrong, and true,
For you can be sure she’ll fight to the end for you, she will follow through.

Now Linda, I know that this office will do well
With a someone so steady, sure, and dedicated like you.
From my heart, I wish you the very best, you know that I do.
For our time is getting close and I will soon bid you adieu.

Robert  Collazo, 9/23/10

You will know her by her smile, it’s contagious and true.
The sweetest person, you’ll not soon forget.
Always bright, cheery and nice, she is never one to be blue.
Our support person for us, and our biggest asset.

Nice family; Mom & Dad, two brothers, Derrick and Gary, & a sister named Pam.
Who’ll fight to the end for their cause, like a big battering ram.
Of course, we must not forget little Adrian, who you better not mistreat.
We definitely know he is the cause of her life being so complete.

Many folks at the office depend on her to assist with support with ICS, and other things
Which she gets things done, and save us much grief.
We probably wouldn’t know what to do, when she is not here.
Temetha has been there like gold for us, she is someone quite dear.

Many years have I known her, I have to admit;
She’s brought me much laughter when I’ve needed it most.
When at times my stress level was so high, that I just couldn’t cope or compete.
But that’s when Temetha has saved me, and made my life here in the office so complete and elite.

Robert Collazo, 9/23/10