By: Ernest Gurulé
For those who automatically think ‘steel’ as the legacy of Pueblo, there is another thing that should come to mind. Pueblo, as it calls itself, is the ‘Home of Heroes,’ and for good reason. Its contribution to the nation’s armed forces is at its core.
In presenting America’s highest military award, The Congressional Medal of Honor, to Puebloan Raymond “Jerry” Murphy, many years ago, President Eisenhower remarked,“What is it…something in the water out there in Pueblo? All you guys turn out to be heroes!” The President’s reference was to the city’s other recipients of the MOH. In all, the city has three recipients going back to WWII.
Pride in the military and, particularly, the Latino contri- bution to country is remembered each October in Pueblo with the Latino Chamber of Commerce annual ‘Profiles in Courage’ awards. This year, October 1st, five Latino veterans—three posthumously—will be honored for their service by the Pueblo Latino Chamber of Commerce.
The event marks the seventh Profiles event, though COVID forced the cancellation of 2020’s. “The importance (of the ceremony),” said principal organizer Gloria Gutierrez, “is for family members who don’t often hear about the legacy… many are losing the ability to hear about the selfless commit- ment they gave to the country, to family and to helping other veterans.”
This year’s honorees include Korean War soldier and later Marine, Ricardo ‘Alex’ Arellano, Korean Conflict infan- tryman Jose Isaac Gallegos, (born in Amalia, New Mexico) Carlos ‘Chuck’ Hernandez, Marine Frank Ortega and William Rodriguez.
Ricardo ‘Alex’ Arellano
Arellano joined the Army at age 17 but after being honorably discharged joined the Marine Corps. He retired after 30 years of service. The 90-year-old Arellano will be attending.
Jose Isaac Gallegos
Gallegos fought in Korea. During one of the dozen firefights he was in, he lost his best friend and was also wounded. He was awarded the Bronze Star and numerous other medals for his heroics. Gallegos will be honored posthumously.
Carlos Hernandez
Hernandez who is being recognized posthumously, served in the Navy in the early fifties. After his service he returned to Pueblo and spent time volunteering for his church as well as being a regular member of the Pueblo Veterans Ritual Team, an honorary group assisting in the burial of fellow veterans. Hernandez will be honored posthumously.
Frank Ortega
Ortega the youngest of the group and now a Pueblo Police Officer, served in the Marines from 1989-1993. Beside his work with the Pueblo Police, Ortega also trains men and women at the city’s Citizen’s Academy Training Program. He is also active with his church.
William Rodriguez
Rodriguez was a 20-year-old Army private when he took part in the allied invasion on D-Day. He also participated in numerous other campaigns throughout France and Germany during the war. His award will be posthumous.
Each soldier, Marine or sailor has a story, though, as Gutierrez explained, they sometime get lost over the years. Interestingly, one of the event’s honorees, took it upon himself to learn how to perform ‘Taps’ on the bugle so that he could play it at the many military funerals he attended as part of the ceremonial honor guard.
“We’re hoping that we can get some grants and contributions to one day build something that can be designed with inscriptions of the names, branches and hears they were awarded that can be seen by family members,” said Gutierrez.
“So many of our Latino veterans have given their all that we felt it was too important during this month to honor them.” The event is held each October close to the middle of National Hispanic Heritage Month. National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated begins September 15th and goes through October 15th.
Tickets for the Saturday, October 1st event can be purchased through Pueblo’s Latino Chamber of Commerce, pueblolatinochamber.com. Ticket price is $50 per person. Guest speaker will be retired Pueblo Journalist and veteran Juan Espinosa.
