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World War II veteran, Santiago P. Muñoz was the guest of honor at the October 22nd meeting of the Anthony Rotary Club. Mr. Muñoz, whose parents came from Valle de Allende, Chihuahua, during the 1920’s, was the first of his family to be born in the United States. He served in the Pacific Theater of Operations with the 864th Anti Aircraft Artillery (AW) Battalion, and was honorably discharged at Fort Sam Houston in August 1946 at the age of 23. “Tago” as he is known by his friends and family, recounted that the trip was filled with “firsts.” It was the first time he had seen The World War II Memorial, the first time he had seen the nation’s capitol, and the first time he had been on an airliner. Mr. Muñoz is a robust man of eighty-five-years-young, a stouthearted man who told Anthony Rotary members, “It was plain to see that we live in a great nation.” Rotary Club members thanked Mr. Muñoz for his service, stating that his heartfelt sentiments can only be made because of men and women such as Santiago P. Muñoz.
As guests of Anthony Rotary, Mr. Muñoz was accompanied by his wife Genoveva, his daughter Elva and her husband Jerry Rios. Mr. Muñoz, originally of Vinton, Texas, now resides in Dona Ana, New Mexico, was one of more than 100 WWII Veterans from southern New Mexico who participated in the Honor Flight Program that flew to Washington, D.C. to visit the World War II Memorial and other sites around our nation’s capitol. Mr. Muñoz was accompanied by his son-in-law, Jerry, who served as Guardian for three of the Veterans on the Honor Flight Tour. The Rotary Club of Anthony sponsored their flight which took off from El Paso International with 102 Veterans and 48 Guardians on board. While there, the group was heartily greeted by Senator Bob Dole who personally thanked every member of the Honor Flight tour for the service they rendered our country.
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Santiago Munoz, WWII Veteran
Santiago Muñoz with Anita Leos (sister, left) and Ester Quiroga (niece, right)
Santiago Muñoz and nephew, Antonio Muñoz
Ester Quiroga (niece) and Anita Leos (sister)
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