Last night I got to sit knee to knee with my Tito (paternal grandpa), and hear him tell his life story. Tito is 93 years old, so he has a lot to share.
His mind and memory are sharp, and he remembers details, events, names, and places. Here are some highlights.
Memories of WWII
I asked Tito what he remembered of living through WWII. He talked about being a kid and teen, and listening to the radio for news about what was happening in Europe. He spoke about how those years were hard because the economy was so bad in México.
He mentioned how México never got involved even though Germany tried to force México to get involved. Tito said that in his view, Hitler was a bad man who wanted to conquer the world. And then he added: “Trump is the same.”
1954 Deportation
Starting in 1942, The Bracero Program was a US government program that imported Mexican workers as field laborers in the agriculture sector.
Thanks to the Bracero Program, Tito and Tita, along with three kids (the youngest a new born), went to live in Fresno, California. Tito worked in one of the vineyards in that area.
In 1954, the US government set in motion Operation Wetback (yes, that is the official name). A military style roundup and deportation of Mexican migrant workers. Among those deported were American citizens of Mexican descent. It was the largest mass deportation in US history.
The irony and hypocrisy of Operation Wetback is that the deported Mexican migrants were mostly workers who had entered the US through the Bracero Program. They came to the US “the right way” and still got kicked out.
Tito told what it was like to be rounded up, detained, and deported during Operation Wetback. He mentioned that it was one of his neighbors who called immigration authorities on him.
Without food or money, Tito and Tita and their three young kids, traveled back to their hometown in central México. It was a hard journey in which Tito sold most of his possessions just to make it back home.
A Man of Character
Tito told of other experiences he had. Going back to California, returning to México for a second and final time, growing grapes in the desert, traveling to Argentina to teach others how to grow grapes, caring for his wife and kids, and helping others.
Tito shares many experiences of times he helped someone in need. His help was always given abundantly and freely. The two main reasons for his desire to help others are:
- He has always received help in his time of need, so he always felt a desire to pay if forward.
- He has a deep love for his fellow beings.
Throughout his life and through his experiences, Tito has shown himself to be a man of faith, integrity, humility, wisdom, hard work, sacrifice, courage, and deep love and devotion to his wife (my Tita) who passed away three years ago.
Hearing Tito’s life story and experiences helped me to feel a bit more hopeful about life. Even though Tito lived through challenging (and traumatic) experiences, he was able to always find a way forward. Either by his own efforts, the timely help of others, or what he calls “the guidance of a loving Heavenly Father.”
Tito is not a perfect man. He has his faults and flaws like anyone else. And he is the first to acknowledge his mistakes.
Despite those shortcomings, Tito’s life and legacy are worth emulating.