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

I’ll take you for a ride, and sweep you off your feet.
We can dance slowly and sweet.
Then, we’ll go worldwide.
Together, you’ll see, we’ll have a window seat.

There’s a tune in my heart,
And it’s all about you,
We’ll make it magical through and through,
In our special field of view.

So, come dance with me,
Won’t you take a chance, sweet Marie?
It will be so fine, you’ll see.
Together, our life will be so complete.

Robert Collazo, 8/11/10

Related posts:

• Dr. Sue
• Remembering Fred
• James
• Angels
• That Cold Night

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

Related posts:

• Remembrances of Holiday Parties
• Kurt
• Collazo Roots
• Jose Hernandez
• The “Greatest Generation of Collazo Brothers”

The world is getting tougher,
Do we all have to suffer?
If I could just get the bank to refinance,
Why can’t they just take a chance?

Only sad things to hear about these days.
It all just seems a haze.
I’m really getting tired hearing about this kind of stuff
Everybody has had enough.

So, why can’t we just go back?
Somewhere where we only have good news?
To the far end of the rainbow, away from all the ‘blues’,
When the world seemed sane, and life was really good.

Robert Collazo, 8/7/10

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• My Good Friend Felix
• Everything You Are
• Joel
• Remembrances of Holiday Parties
• My Summers in Laredo So Long Ago

Seems right that we make such a great fit,
I know that’s the reason long ago that I had to commit.

Remembering our times past,
All of our good times we amassed.
But surely more will be surpassed;
Or is still more or less like a bomb blast?

Seems right that we make such a great fit,
I know that’s the reason long ago that I had to commit.

Robert Collazo, 8/4/10

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?

Related posts:

• My Summers in Laredo So Long Ago
• Things I Did Not Know About My Mom
• My Cousin Pete
• To Our National Heroes & My Own Homegrown Collazo Heroes
• Remembrances of Holiday Parties

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

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• My Cousin Elsa
• My Friend Lauren
• Dr. Sue
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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…

Related posts:

• The Sunset of My Career
• Joel
• My Long-Time Friend Javier
• Just Al
• Jose Hernandez

Chorus:
Come on home, I miss you like crazy, sweet Daisy,
Won’t you come on home tonight; I promise I won’t be lazy.
You’ll see, it’ll be such a delight,
When we sit out on the porch, hold hands, and just kiss in the moonlight!

Won’t you come on back for just a spell?
See I just took a bath the other day, and I really don’t smell,
Just wait and see, it’ll be just really swell!
We’ll go out and party for old time’s sake, I promise you it won’t be a wake.
Or we can just stay home, and I’ll fire up some steaks.
Don’t you see, sweet Daisy, we’ll soon partake!

Chorus:
Come on home, I miss you like crazy, sweet Daisy,
Won’t you come on home tonight; I promise I won’t be lazy.
You’ll see, it’ll be such a delight,
When we sit out on the porch, hold hands, and just kiss in the moonlight!

We’ll have some fun, and do what you want,
Then maybe we’ll go see the preacher.
We’ll tie the knot in our Sunday best, have all our kin there dancing all nonchalant.
I’ll sure try to make you happy;
Then life will be sweet and complete, and won’t be so crappy.

Chorus:
Come on home, I miss you like crazy, sweet Daisy,
Won’t you come on home tonight; I promise I won’t be lazy.
You’ll see, it’ll be such a delight,
When we sit out on the porch, hold hands, and just kiss in the moonlight!

My first Country/Western song…my wife said not to expect a check anytime soon.  I told her she won’t be laughing when Garth calls…

Robert Collazo, 7/17/10

Related posts:

• Our Mom
• Tune In My Heart
• The Sunset of My Career
• The Sunset of My Career
• Life

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

Related posts:

• Mom Memories on This Mother’s Day
• Remembering a Special Father’s Day
• My Brother Bill
• My Dad and Mom
• My Summers in Laredo So Long Ago