Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 86, No. 26, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 1, 1999 Page: 1 of 6
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THURSDAY
WEEKLY EDITION
July 1,1999
86th Year, No. 26
25 cents
Herald
A Newspaper Serving the People of South Texas
' Domingo Gonzalez
recalls military career
By KENNETH ROBERTS
^ Managing Editor
As the Fourth of July holiday
approaches, Domingo E. Gonzalez
of Rio Grande City took time late
last week to reflect on his 25-plus
years of military service, including
duty in the World War II and
Vietnam conflicts.
Gonzalez told The Rio Grande
Herald on Friday, June 25, "I'm
very much proud to have
% served...Basically, the family
enjoyed the military life...Counting
my service in the Reserves, I have
been in the armed forces for 25
years."
The highlight of Gonzalez's
military career was his service in
the Army during the Normandy
invasion and the subsequent Allied
£ surge through France into
Luxembourg. He was awarded four
medals for his valor on the
battlefield.
Gonzalez's two sons also
achieved distinguished careers of
military service. Domingo E.
Gonzalez, Jr. retired aftera long
career in the Army. He served one
tour of duty in Vietnam. His other
son, Joel Gonzalez, served two
tours of duty in Vietnam with the
Marines. Both sons served their
' tours of duty in Vietnam at different
times and returned with complete
safety. Ther father indicated, "Both
our sons who served in Vietnam
were very much in the thick of the
action."
Gonzalez noted that his wife,
Marta, taught at an American
school in Japan while he was
stationed there with the Air Force.
Their daughter, Lilia, served with
the VISTA program during the
early 1970's.
Domingo E. Gonzalez was born
in Brook1; County in 1912. His
family moved to Rio Grande City
in 1918.
Gonzalez was first called to
military duty shortly after the Pearl
Harbor attack by Japanese forces in
December 1941. He received
training at Fort Sam Houston in
San Antonio and Camp Robinson
in Arkansas. He noted, "The
training period lasted approximately
three months. It took about two
weeks to reach England."
"We landed in Omaha Beach right
after the Normandy invasion," noted
Gonzalez. "Our unit was pinned
down for about five hours. We
advanced to St. Juris and fought our
way to St. Carenton...I served under
General (George) Patton's command
during the Normandy invasion and
the drive through France."
Gonzalez indicated, "I was first in
(See GONZALEZ, Page 6)
Three faces assault charges
after Garceno shooting flurry
Three Garceno men face
aggravated assault charges in the
aftermath of a shooting barrage in
Garceno during the noon hour on
Monday, June 21.
No one was injured as the result
of the gunfire itself, but Pablo
Saldana was hospitalized alter
sustaining lacerations to the head
prior to the shots being fired.
Saldana, Margarito Alanis and
Anastacio Garza, all residents of
Garceno, were later charged with
aggravated assault with a deadly
weapon. Sheriff Reymundo Guerra
indicated on Tuesday, June 29 that
sll three had since been released on
.jo iid.
During the episode, Saldana was
transported to Starr County
RGCCISD announces uniform
chanes for 1999-2000
RGCCISD News Release
The Rio Grande City CISD is
announcing changes in the color of
school uniforms for the 1999-2000
school year.
£ The change was approval by the
board of trustees at a special
meeting held on June 15. The
following are the shirt color
changes for the elementary and
sccond'iry schools.
For grades K-5th, La Union
Elementary, Grulla Elementary,
Roque Guerra Elementary, North
_ Grammar Elementary, Alto Bonito
^ Elementary, John & Olive
Hinojosa Elementary, Ringgold
Elementary and the Fifth Grade
Campus students will wear red or
white polo shirts, Monday thru
Thursday, and on Fridays, they will
wear their school color spirit shirts.
Ringgold Middle and Grulla
Middle students will wear school
uniforms polo shirts as follows:
6th graders, white; 7th grade, blue;
and the 8th graders, red. It is
optional for the students to wear
school spirit shirts on Fridays. The
Rio Grande City High School is
keeping the same colors, red or
white polo shirts.
The Rio Grande City CISD will
not allow pants of any kind with
color striping, lettering, designs or
oversized pockets that are more than
eight inches in size. The pants
must be plain blue or black jeans.
The change is necessary to maintain
the safety of all students.
These changes in the dress code
apply to all the campuses within
the school district. School board
policy updates reflect these changes.
For further information, call your
prospective school or 716-6000.
(publicinfo 10@ yahoo.com)
Gonzalez recalls military career
Domingo E. Gonzalez of Rio Grande City is one of many Starr County
citizncs who have distinguished themselves in the U.S. armed services
over many decades. He received four medals for his service in the
European theater during World War II, and also served in the Vietnam
conflict as a supply sergeant with the U.S. Air Force.
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Diamondbacks undisputed T-Ball champions
The Diamondbacks T-Ball team swept through all opponents in the tournament to wi; the 1999 Rio
Grande City T-Ball League chamnpionship. The Diamondbacks only lost one game in the entire season.
The team sponsors are Mr. and Mrs. Mariano Alvarez of Rancho Los Girasoles. Team coaches were Head
Coach Humberto Valadez and Assistant Coaches Juventino Alaniz and George Gutierrez.
Diamondbacks strike their way
to local T-Ball championship
Memorial Hospital for treatment of
his head laceration injuries. Guerra
later indicated that Saldana had
apparently "been beaten with a
blunt object, possibly a weapon."
The incident occurred just before
12 noon on Monday, June 21 in
Garceno just cast of FM 649.Thc
Sheriffs Department was notified
of the episode just moments later.
The department was also notified
that a victim had been transported
to Starr County Memorial
Hospital.
A Sheriffs Department statement
indicated that upon arrival,
"deputies found a black Dodge
Dakota pickup with bullet holes."
The statement added, "Deputies
also found a 1997 gold Nissan
passenger car about one-half block
west of Old 83, also with bullet
holes."
The department stated, "Deputies
were also notified that a white
Crown Victoria was at Bazan Street
in Escobares. The Crown Victoria
also had bullet holes."
The department declared that
evidence indicates Saldana, Alanis
and Garza were involved in a fight
that led to shots being fired and
striking all three vehicles.
Saldana was treated and released
from Starr County Memorial
Hospital.
The Sheriff's Department
indicated Tuesday that investigation
into the incident is continuing.
As one of the newest teams in
the Rio Grande City T-Ball league
the Diamondbacks had something
to prove. They had to prove that
they were not just the new team on
the league, but that they were going
to be one of the best.
The Diamondbacks practiced
hard and thoroughly with their
coaches at least three or four days a
week. They faced all their
opponents with the same attitude.
After a long and difficult season
they went home with a second
place trophy losing to the 1998
Longhorns in a very close game.
In 1999, Coach Valadez
gathered his Diamondbacks as
early as early April for practice.
Coach Valadez, along with
Assistant Coach Juventino Alaniz,
and Assistant Coach George
Gutierrez wanted to see how to
shape this team to be the best.
Keeping the same routine as the
previous season, the Diamondback
would practice three to four days
for a least one-hour.
After the first couple days of
practice the Diamondbacks coaches
decided who could possibly be
their dependable players and they
assigned their defense positions.
The infield consisted of
Marcos Martinez at first base, this
would be his second year with the
Diamondbacks, at second base they
had Chris Alaniz, also his second
year with the Diamondbacks, Chris
was later moved to pitcher. At this
time George Valadez, Jr. went to
cover second base. Filling his job at
short stop was George Gutierrez,
Jr., also a returnee for the
Diamondbacks. Covering third base
was a new player for the
Diamondbacks, Sandal io Gonzalez.
Outfield and catcher positions were
alternated throughout the season.
The 1999 Diamondbacks
were composed of 24 great kids:
Mariano "M.J." Alvarez, #1;
Eduardo "Lalito" Bermudez , #2;
Lizette Gomez, #3; Chris Alaniz,
#4, Abel Perez, #5; Illeana Garza,
#6, Ben Garza, #7; Ivan Teran, #8;
Rolando Perez, #9; George
Valadez, #10; Jazmin Lazo, #11;
Abigail Zamorano, #12; Joey
Mayorga, #13; George Gutierrez,
Jr., #14; Jesus "Chuy" Lucio, #15;
Irving Perez, #16; Daniel Alafifa,
#17: Marcos G. Martinez, #18;
Sandalio Gonzanez, #19; Jaime
Martinez, #20; Aldo Medina, Jr.
#21; Jose Andres "Andy" Martinez.
#22; Osiel Alaniz, #23; and
Priciliano "P. A" Vazquez, #24. The
team was supported 100 percent by
their sponsor Mr. & Mrs. Mariano
Alvarez.
The team played very well
during the regular games. A lot of
these kids showed tremendous
improvement as the season
progressed. But they really shined
during the final games.
The Diamondbacks performed
at their best during the Rio Grande
City T-Ball Tournament. First they
faced the Knights who they
conquered by a score of 12-2, and
then they moved to challenge an all
time rival the Longhoms, whom
they defeated with a final score of
13-6 After these decisive victories,
the Diamondbacks won the
Mustangs 14-4.
Then they were ready to play
against the Owls, whom they beat,
by a score of 20-4. Their next
opponent was Los Portal itos, who
showed tremendous effort to take
home first place, but the
Diamondbacks were determined
and struck back all the way to a
victory of 12-8. After all these
victories made the Diamondbacks
undefeated champions of 1999.
After all the long-hot days of
practice, they have something that
made it all worthwhile, the
uncountable memories. The 1999
Diamondbacks want to thank
Coach Humberto "Gigi" Valadez,
Coach Juventino "Juve" Alaniz and
Coach George Gutierrez for
dedicated hard work. Also to Eisa
Gomez, Team-mother, for making
sure everyone was at practice and
at the games on time, and to Nena
Garza for keeping things organized
in the dugout, to their proud
sponsor Mr. & Mrs. Mariano
Alvarez, and to each and every
parent for cheering for them
RGC summer tracksters qualify
for South Texas championships
The Boys and Girls Club AAU Track
T earn of Rio Grande City competed in
THE South Texas Qualifying Meet
that was held in Edinburg, TX on
June 19, 1999 This meet is the first
of a series of qualifying meets to be
held throughout the State of Texas
this summer The team performed
very well bringing home many ribbons
from a variety of events The top four
in each event qualified for the next
track meet The results were as
follows
PRIMARY (8 and Under)
Myranda Montalvo 100m Dash
(3"1), Long Jump (1"), 400m Dash
or1)
San Juanita Garza 100m Dash
(2nd),200m Dash (1")
Ruby Roque Long Jump (4th)
Donna Flore* Shot Put (2nd)
Jose M. Gomez: Shot Put (3rd)
Kathleen Barras Shot Put (1")
SUB-BANTAM (9 Years)
Ricky Olivarez Jr. 100m Dash (4,h).
200m Dash (3rd)
Fenny Cantu 100m Dash (4"1), Long
Jump (2nd,
Monica Cruz 400m Dash (4'")
Matthew Gutierrez 400m Dash (1")
Ashleigh Pratt Shot Put (1")
BANTAM (10 Yean)
Andrea Guerra 100m Dash (1"),
200m Dash (1"), Long Jump (1")
Priscilla Perales 100m Dash (2nd)
Baldemar Garza Jr. 100m Dash
(3"*), 200m Dash (2nd), Long Jump
(2nd)
Amanda Barras 1500m Racewalk
(2nd); Shot Put (3rd)
Melissa Fuller Long Jump (2nd)
Alyssa Montalvo 400m Dash (3rd)
400m Relay (1") Melissa Fuller,
Prissy Perales, Alyssa Montalvo,
Fenny Cantu
SUB-MIDGET (11 Years)
Anthony Montalvo 100m Dash
(4th), Long Jump (2nd)
Kendra Alanis 100m Dash (I"),
200m Dash^ 1"), Long Jump (1")
Joni Acevedo 40Um uasn (l"),
800m Dash (1")
Venessa Acevedo 800m Dash (2nd)
Daniela Escamilla 800m Dash (4#l)
Severo Vela 800m Dash (4th), Long
Jump (3rd)
Veronica Cantu 100m Dash (2nd),
200m Dash (2nd)
MIDGET (12 Yean)
Danny Castillo 100m Dash (4*),
Long Jump (2nd)
Bovdt ixiwell Shot Put (3"*), Discus
(4-)
400m Relay (1") Danny Castillo,
Severo Vela, Johnothon Garcia,
Anthony Montalvo
1600m Relay (3rd) Venessa
Acevedo, Jamie Acevedo. Nelly Cruz,
Daniella Escamilla
3200m Relay (lu) Venessa Acevedo,
Veronica Cantu. Joni Acevedo. Nelly
Cruz
(See TRACKSTERS, Page 6)
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Roberts, Kenneth. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 86, No. 26, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 1, 1999, newspaper, July 1, 1999; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195711/m1/1/: accessed May 6, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.