My Collazo Family Military Legacy

In honor of Veteran’s Day, 2022, I am posting some proud Collazo & Elizondo family history.

Gerardo and Manuelita Collazo had ten sons and one daughter, and the family all lived in Laredo, Texas. Our extended family around the world is derived from this family.

Now, during World War II, they had 3 sons serving overseas at the same time. Uncle Pete and Uncle Rodolfo were both in the Army, and Uncle Ignacio was in the Navy. Towards the end of WW II, Uncle Luis Manuel served in the 2nd Infantry, Army detaining Japanese POWs. Later after the war, Uncle George was in the Navy, AND in the Air Force, in back-to-back tours. Uncle Raul was in the Air Force before Vietnam. Uncle Oscar was in the Navy during Vietnam. Then, Uncle Fernando was in the Air Force. Proudly today, we remember all of of them, but especially Uncle Raul, who recently passed, and now all the first generation are all together in God’s embrace.

One of my fondest memories as a kid growing up in San Antonio in the late fifties, early 60s, I clearly recall my uncle Fernando during his time of active duty when we would go see him at Lackland Airforce Base He was the MP (Military Police) on duty at the gate, with the most perfect saluting I ever saw! A big salute in Heaven to him! Oh how I miss them all.

The daughter born to Gerardo and Manuelita, our Aunt Trine, was married to an Air Force Airman during WW II, our Uncle Oscar T. Medina, so we want to salute him on this day. An interesting quote from Cousin Jesse Medina who stated that his Dad, Uncle Oscar Medina, was stationed in Florida, and became a disabled veteran from his service duties.

A big salute in heaven to our beloved Uncle Oscar Collazo, who was the uncle who we would affectionately call our Collazo Submarine Man. You see our Uncle Oscar served in the Navy as a Chief Non-Commission Officer in a nuclear submarine, very specifically, he was the “Chief of the Boat” of the USS Mariano G. Vallejo, and actually is a “Plankholder” of that submarine which means he was on the original crew when it was commissioned.

A big salute this Veterans Day to our Cousin Christopher Collazo, son of Romeo and Sharon Collazo, and Grandson of Uncle Oscar, who came off of active duty a couple of years ago from the US Navy. Chris was stationed on a submarine just like his Grandpa, Oscar! He is still our very own second-generation Collazo Submarine Man! Thank-you for your years of service, Chris!

Now to show that the Collazo Family military tradition continues, we want to also salute all the Collazo Veterans, as well as our extended family, Collazo-related family Veterans that have served: My dear brother, Major William Collazo, US Army Physician; Uncle Ignacio’s Son, Cousin Orlando Collazo, US Navy; Uncle Joe and Daughter, Cousin Joe Collazo, Jr., US Navy, and Cousin Diana’s husband, Gilbert Shely, US Air Force; Uncle Pedro’s Sons, Cousin Pete Collazo, Jr, US Army, and Cousin Javier Collazo, US Army; Uncle Rodolfo Sons, Cousin Rodolfo Collazo, Jr., Army, and Cousin Pablo Rene Collazo, US Navy; Uncle Luis Manuel’s Son, Cousin Luis George (Choche), Navy, and Choche’s son, Luis Rogelio Collazo, US Marine Corps; Cousin Gina’s Son, Geronimo Villarreal, US Marine Corps; Cousin Yolanda’s Son, Fabian Mendoza, III, US Army. I would like to send out a big salute to our Cousin Yolanda’s husband, our very own home-grown, retired from active duty, US Army Colonel Fabian Mendoza! Cousin Yolanda and Fabian’s Son-in-law, and Cousin Michelle Miroddi’s husband, Scott Miroddi, is an US Army veteran, and we salute him also today. I also want to send a big salute to Chris Tipton, who is a US Naval Academy graduate, who served our country well. Chris is married to my Niece, Christina Collazo, daughter of my dear brother, Bill Collazo. Lastly, this writer, Bob Collazo, Jr., is a proud US Army Veteran, who most people do not know, served in the US Army during the Vietnam war, but was stationed in El Paso, Texas, where his Son, Robert Collazo, III, was born.

I would also like to honor family members on my maternal, Elizondo side of my family. My Uncle, Ernesto Elizondo, was my Mother’s Beloved Brother, and proudly served in the US Navy during WW II. Also, I want to honor & recognize my Cousin, Ernesto Elizondo, Jr., who served in the US Air Force back in the 1970s, and is a disabled Veteran because of his service to our Country. I also want to recognize & honor David Gonzalez, US Marines, Son of my Cousin, Raquel Velazquez, and Servando Pena, US Army, my Cousin, Mary Pena’s husband. Lastly, my maternal grandfather, Francisco Elizondo, had two brothers who served, Margarito, and Jose Efrain, both were on active duty during WWII. In fact, my Tio Efrain Elizondo was in Iwo Jima, and saw the raising of the flag there! He passed recently and we salute him today!

We proudly salute all family Veterans today and send them all warm regards!

Certainly, with our big family, the Collazo Family Military legend continues…

Happy Veteran’s Day!
Bob Collazo, Jr.
11/11/22

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