Remembering World War II: Houston’s Latino Veterans

Mikaela Selley surrounded by Houston’s Latino Veterans at the Grand Opening Reception

Through the exhibit "Remembering World War II:  Houston’s Latino Veterans", the Houston Public Library is honoring the Houston’s Latino Veterans.
Asked to serve their country in time of war, Hispanic Americans displayed loyalty, bravery, and persistence in the face of adversity. Latinos in Houston were among the thousands that rushed to enlist.


Living To Tell the Story

Estimates state that roughly 500,000 U.S. Hispanics served during the war. Some, especially those of the World War II generation, were familiar with discrimination back home but saw their service as affirming the ideals of democracy.

This exhibit is a result of the outstanding research of more than five moths by the Houston Metropolitan Research Center. In February of 2015, Mikaela Selley, Hispanic Collections Archivist at the Houston Metropolitan Research Center (HMRC), and Dr. Jesus J. Esparza, Professor of History at Texas Southern University and Houston Community College, began the Latino Veterans Oral History Project. In a span of five months, 12 interviews were conducted. Each interview was filmed at the veteran’s home and is approximately one to two hours in length. The interviews captured biographical histories and the veteran experiences before, during, and after the war.

These inspirational stories (interviews) will be permanently housed as part of the Houston Metropolitan Research Center’s Oral History Collection and placed on the HMRC’s archive’s website.



The exhibit brought veterans, theirs families, and friends together

The exhibit will be held from August 29, 2015 to November 14, 2015 at the
Julia Ideson Building
550 McKinney
Houston

It is free and open to the public.

Great job, Mika!