Saluting Uncle Oscar & His Grandson Chris – Go Navy!!

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?