CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Veterans are the backbone of our nation and help make up the bedrock of our Coastal Bend history.
While serving is no doubt a proud and sacred honor, some Hispanic veterans feel that they along with their history are being forgotten.
Some people simply learn about history, but for Jose Mendez he has actually lived through it.
Mendez feels that his story and those of others who served in the military, are fading away.
"I lost 16 of my school mates in World War II, they never came back," said Mendez.
Which is why he wants to do something now.
"We had 10 Hispanic generals in this area. Nobody talks about that. Nobody teaches our new generation, our kids, what really happened," said Mendez.
Nueces County has 24,742 veterans, including Mendez. But even knowing that he is part of a proud group of men and women, he can't help but feel that there aren't enough monuments that pay tribute to veterans.
"I've been fighting hard for Sherrill Park. It's the only park we have left here in Corpus," said Mendez.
Mendez said that in order to safeguard our future, it all starts with the new generation.
"I've been fighting hard for Sherrill Park. It's the only park we have left here in Corpus. We have three parks here in Corpus for veterans, the Memorial Coliseum, they destroyed it," he said.
Over at the Coastal Bend Veterans Cemetery, we found Beeville Vietnam veteran Richard Rodriguez, visiting his wife.
"I'm proud to be a veteran," said Vietnam veteran Richard Rodriguez.
He said that he appreciates how even in death there are special places for veterans to be laid to rest.
"I'm glad they have it, and I'm glad they're expanding it because there are a lot of veterans around all these counties and Corpus Christi," said Rodriguez.
He said that while his work wasn't always easy, his time in the military is something that he credits for building him into the man he is today.
"They thank me, they see my ID Card, they thank me for my service and I appreciate that," Rodriguez said.