 On The Line -- Issue 654 -- September 28, 2007  Online News and Views of Life in San Benito County with Herman Wrede Published by HollisterOnline.com -- Copyright 1995-2008 HollisterOnline.com
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On The Line -- Issue 654 -- September 28, 2007 Online News and Views of Life in San Benito County with Herman Wrede Published by HollisterOnline.com -- Copyright 1995-2008 HollisterOnline.com
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Two of the many celebrations to which San Benito County looks forward to every year areCinco de Mayo, which commemorates the fifth of May in 1862 when Mexico won the Battle of Puebla against would-be European colonizers, and Sept. 16, the day in 1810 when a priest exhorted his parishioners to throw off the yoke of Spain.
More than half the county's residents are descended from Mexicans. Many of that nation's sons and daughters left their native land in the 19th and 20th centuries for better economic and social opportunities. But most took with them a fierce love for their native land and love of its culture and customs. The United States is among the nations benefited from their immigration, although the transition was not smooth for the newcomers. But despite prejudice, frequent harassment and economic hardship, they worked hard, persevered and learned the language of their new nation. They carefully put a little aside from their scant wages and managed with much scrimping to find better homes than those in which necessity first made them live in their new country. The next generation did better, and a premium was put upon education -- the more one learned, the more one could expect to attain in a land of opportunity. The next generation started its own families, and soon they were taking more of an active role in the community at large. Many of the immigrants became naturalized citizens and had a choice in the government leaders who would represent them and their interests in the halls of power. Some ran for office themselves. But they never forgot the old ways, any more than a man taking a wife would turn his back on his mother. They were proud to be Americans but their cultural background was important to them. The day is celebrated in San Benito County on the Sunday nearest Sept. 16 on the grounds of Sacred Heart Church. This year the day and the date of celebration coincided, and many participants thought that it had a bigger crowd than last year's did. But before the church grounds ceremonies, thousands of the celebrants either participate in the traditional parade or watch it, with much cheering, as it progresses north along San Benito Street before turning west on Fifth Street to the church. As parades go, it is not a big one and is heavy on equestrians -- vaqueros, charros and just plain horse riders. Some spin their lariats in accomplished expertness, many have ornately decorated saddle, and some are children whose prowess in riding is advanced. A couple of bands provide music and some local officials -- such as county Treasurer Mary Lou Andrade - ride in cars, waving to their friends lining both sides of the street. Many Mexican and American flags are borne along. Irene Agredano, dressed in red, white and green for the colors of the flag of her native Mexico, and her family have watched the parade from the same vantage point along the 800 block of San Benito Street as they have done for years. She was accompanied by her husband, Salvador Agredano, mother Engrazia Agredano, and other family members. They included sister Margarita Quezada and brothers and wives Jose and Rosa Gomez, and Alberto and Rosario Gomez, the latter up from Wilmington. When asked where husband Frank Quezada was, Mrs. Quezada said with a sigh, "He couldn't make it because he had to work. Then she laughed and said, "Someone's got to work." Also with the group were the Agredanos' daughters, Irene Turturici, and Yvette Agredano, down from Sacramento. Son Salvador was absent this year because of business elsewhere. But younger son Air Force Major Jose Agredano was on hand with his children, Jordan and Loren. Two other grandchildren, Felicia and Dominic Turturici, waved at people they knew as the parade went by. Victor Mata and Norman Taide were co-grand marshals this year and everyone wave and called out to them. Among the advantages of a small town is that of knowing many of one's fellow residents. But the proudest two people in the parade were certainly Brittany Velasquez, chosen to reign as the queen of Independence Day, and Rosa Becerra, who was named the princess. They smiled and waved and smiled again throughout the route of the procession. It was a day they will never forget. In the course of time they will become married and each will raise a family. Like the rest of us, they will have their ups and downs, their triumphs and tragedies. But no matter how old they become, no matter how life treats them, each will always get a glow when thinking back upon this special day of their youth when they reigned as queen and princess and were the center of all eyes. When the parade may its way to the church, the people in it found that a crowd of at least 3,000 was already there with many others coming in by the minute. Father Rudy Ruiz, Sacred Heart's pastor, was very evident as he strolled through the grounds, stopping to talk with many parishioners. All parking spaces were taken, with many vehicles parked alongside both sides of the streets leading up to it for blocks. Musicians were playing on the stage, bedecked with the American and Mexican flags and the enthusiasm was palpable. Wonderful fragrances emanated from the food booths, all of which had long lines in front of them. Jaime De La Cruz smiled as he busied himself in helping clean up behind the booths. "I told people during my campaign for supervisor that I would clean up Hollister, and they took me at my word," he joked. Charlie Gallegos spotted many friends in the crowd, and Victor and Lupe Barrios over from Gilroy also found many friends. "Some of them we don't see until Independence Day," he said, "but it's though we pick up on the conversation right where we left off." Most of the children made their way to the game booths and they had a great time as they laughed and ran to try to be in as many places as they could at the same time, in the time-old way of children. Another person who will long remember the day is Ariel Lopez Sr. The highpoint of many past celebrations was raffling off a new car, such as Frank Quezada won several years ago. This year, however, the grand prize was $10,000 and Lopez was the winner. But whatever honors were bestowed or prizes win, all participants went home that night with a feeling of goodwill, renewed pride in their cultural heritage, and glad to have had another opportunity to mingle with friends. |
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