MEXICAN-AMERICAN PARATROOPERS ASSOCIATION

Today we have gathered to bid farewell to our Arturo, I say "Our" Arturo because he touched all of us here today.

Arturo loved everyone, his first and foremost Ernestina, his wife of 57 years, his sons Art Jr., Ernie, Danny and daughter Marta, his son in-law Joel, and daughters in-law, Kathy and Yvonne, and grandchildren Shawn, Paul, Derek, Stephanie, Brian, and Adam.

The admiration, respect, and love was very evident to me displayed by all his "nietos" and "nietas" at family gatherings. In his most quiet and humble ways he was there for them at all sporting events (he loved his Wildcats), and only "Tata" could fix the problem no one else could fix. But most importantly, he instilled the "values" that will make their journey in life a better world.

I would be remisss if I did not mention a few words about my hero, Arturo the quiet warrior, who in 1942 served his country with honor and distinction. A young man in his 20's a product of the Barrio, he was one of the handful of Mexican-Americans that were the pioneers of  United States Paratroopers.

Arturo never spoke about his World War Two experiences; it was always Los Vales, his comrades-in arms, fellow troopers. He was modest, meek, and a caring man always about others, assuring the needy families in Tucson received Christmas Baskets at whatever the cost. Arturo was special in many ways. He would never inform anyone that he was part of an epic World War Two book written by Ross Carter, "Devils in Baggy Pants", forever to be imortalized for generations of Lopez's yet to be born.

Today we say good-bye to the body of Arturo Lopez, but not the man.