My Tio Luis

Luis embodied what he felt was important in his life – God, Country, and Family.
First, he made his peace with God;
Country because he was part of the “greatest generation”, served faithfully in WWII;
Family because he would do whatever it took for family.

Luis was a very kind, and loving man,
Would gladly give you his shirt if you asked him for it, we all agree.
Worked an honest trade, and made a clean living,
To ensure his wife and five kids had everything they would need.

My Dad, Lalo, recalls the story when he asked his brother Luis to assist in a job,
It was a great example where his exceeded devotion to family shined bright;
When Luis showed up in the middle of the night with his kids, wife, mother-in-law,
and even a washing machine in the back of an old Rambler station-wagon packed oh so tight!

Now you may not know that Luis was the forth Collazo brother to fight in WWII,
His devotion and loyalty to Country is unquestioned for sure.
For on a ship to the Pacific, his ship hit a typhoon, and almost sank.
Then, in Okinawa, where he detained Japanese POWs, he very nearly starved for lack of supplies;
Ate nothing but onions and bananas as the cost of being an America Yank.

Luis loved his bingo, and of course, their Vegas trips they loved to book;
Where early in life, he and his beloved, Zulema would go;
Introducing my Mom & Dad to casinos where they were hooked,
They shared many good times together, no matter the weather.

Now Luis’s Son, Choche, has said
That what an irony in the parallels of their lives;
For his Dad detained POWs in the war,
And his Son detained illegal aliens from the country next door.

Now let it be known that a great first generation American named Luis Manuel Collazo,
The sixth child born to Gerardo and Manuelita, in Laredo, Texas,
Lived a long, and happy life, devoted to God, Country, and family that he adored,
Lies asleep in the arms of the Lord.

Bob Collazo, 3/6/14
Until we see you again, Tio!
Tio = Uncle

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