Annual Hispanic Heritage Bus Wrap Ceremony

by | Mar 17, 2021 | AGIFTX Corpus Christi

American Gi Forum Beatrice T. Perez Robstown Women’s Chapter
Annual Hispanic Heritage Bus Wrap Ceremony

American GI Forum of Texas, Inc. Report: CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Beatrice T. Perez Robstown Women’s Chapter had their unveiling Ceremonies on Thursday February 11 at 1:00 pm at the Alexia’s Event Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. This yearly event honors Hispanic Leaders from the American GI Forum and the Local Community. Because of bad weather, this year’s event was held indoors. Past National Chairwoman Patsy M. Vazquez Contes was the Mistress of Ceremonies and also one of the event coordinators.

This Year’s Event was special in that The American GI Forum honored PFC Vanessa Gillen, U.S. Army who was killed in Fort Hood last year. Family members were present at the unveiling, and a very emotional Mother, and siblings thanked the American GI Forum and spoke briefly the importance keeping her memory alive and pursuing the very many unanswered questions about her sudden death. The American Gi Forum has vowed to keep the investigation going and continue looking for answers.

Among the deceased honored on the wrap are NVOP President and CEO Carlos Martinez, USAF; Del Rio Chapter Commander Jose Martinez, MSGT USAF, both victims of the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020.

Other AGIF members honored are Gil Rodriguez, RM2, US Navy, CEO, AGIF of Texas Inc.; Past National Commander Angel Zuniga, Retired MSGT US Air Force; Past National Commander  Luis A. Vazquez-Contes, Retired MSGT US Army; and Ernesto Montoya, Retired SFC US Army.

Others honored and featured on the bus for an entire year are: SFC John Domingo Duran, US Army, POW, WW2 and Korean Veteran; Major Jose A. Lopez, US Army, American Legion Commander Post 3643; Dr. Rumaldo Z. Juarez, President, Robstown ISD Education Foundation; Rosie Torres, Executive Director, Co-Founder, Burn Pits 3605; Victor Guajardo, Former LULAC Council #1 President-19636; Alex Garcia, CEO, Red Cross of the Coastal Bend Chapter; Patsy Cavazos, H-E-B Pharmacy Director of the Gulf Coast & SW Border Regions; Tommie Garza, Blue Star Mother. All the honorees received a replica of the bus wrap.

For more information contact:

Patsy M. Vazquez-Contes
AGIF Event Coordinator
Phone: 361-232-8296
Email: [email protected]

The American GI Forum of Texas, Inc. thanks and congratulates the Beatrice T. Perez Robstown Women’s Chapter, their Chair Leslie Christian and Event Coordinator Patsy M. Vazquez Contes for their continued dedication to this event and for honoring very deserving leaders.

 “Education Is Our Freedom and Freedom Should Be Everybody’s Business!”

In Memory of Mary Rose Garcia, Loving Wife of Amador Garcia, Corpus Christi, Texas

by | Feb 12, 2021 | AGIFTX Corpus Christi

The American GI Forum of Texas Inc. Report: Austin, Texas – The American GI Forum of Texas and of the US. extend heartfelt condolences to Amador Garcia and his family on the loss of his wife Mary Rose. Words cannot begin to express the sadness you must feel but know that your Family of the American Gi Forum is here for you and are praying for you to get through this. God bless you and may the soul of your wife Mary Rose rest in the Eternal peace of Christ Almighty.

Amador Garcia, cousin of the founder, past State Commander, presently Legal advisor of Texas, and lifetime member of the Dr. Hector P. Garcia Founder’s Chapter American GI Forum of Texas lost his loving Wife, Mary Rose September 13, 2020, the day of the Resurrection of our Lord at 3:00 a.m. known as the Holy Hour in the Catholic faith to be with her Savior, Jesus Christ our King. She was 85 and had suffered some heart and stroke issues over the past 10 years, but in her true spirit would always convey that she was not ready to pass on. 

Amador and Mary Rose courted throughout high school and continued while he attended college at the University of Texas at Austin. They  were married on Thanksgiving Day, 1958 and shared their lives for 61 years.

She accompanied Amador during his tour in the military going with him to Germany, helped support him at the University Of Texas School Of Law, helped him begin his legal career and his law firm business, Amador C. Garcia, Attorney and Counselor at Law, P.C. and both attended lots of U.T. football games in Austin. 

She leaves behind her siblings: Lazaro G. Solis (Alice) of Sherryland, TX, twins Ben Solis (Rosie) of Houston, TX and Gloria Solis (Atanacio) of Mercedes, TX; and four children: Dr. Jose Roen Garcia (Eva) of San Antonio, TX, Deborah Rose Garcia (Doug) of Rockport, TX, John David Garcia (Diana) of Grapevine, Texas and Delia Marie “Shelly” Garcia of Dallas, TX. She also leaves behind 11 grandchildren. 

Mary Rose was a strong believer in Adoration of our Holy Lord ever present in the Blessed Sacrament. She would sit in the midst of our Lord daily, and just as He promised those who pray and are devout along with our greatest advocate Mother Mary, she died peacefully, and comfortable and with her loved ones with her. 

Please make donations to Harbor Hospice at 400 Enterprise Blvd. Suite C Rockport, Texas 78382. Donations may also be made to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel on 4103 Ocean Dr. Corpus Christi, TX 78411 for the love, support, hope and comfort that the Pink Sisters give to all of us with constant prayer. 

A Rosary will be recited at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2020 at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 5620 Gollihar Rd., Corpus Christi, Texas 78412 with a Mass following the Rosary. Due to COVID-19 the church has limited seating of 150.

Masks must be worn at all times and communion will be received in the hand.  Afterwards, a luncheon will take place in the parish hall.  Then a service around 2pm will take place at Seaside, “Virgin de Guadalupe” burial site underneath a canopy.  Masks and social distancing must also take place.  It is open to family, friends and colleagues and the AGIF of Texas is included.

The American Gi Forum of Texas has sent flowers to the family on behalf of Ceasar Ruiz, Texas State Commander, the State office, the State Board of Directors, and membership to Amador and is Family.