THIS WEEK ON LATINOPIA: FELIPE DE ORTEGA’S VETERAN’S DAY REMEMBRANCE OF MEXICAN AMERICAN HEROES, VETERAN HARPO CELAYA ON SURVIVING THE SINKING OF THE U.S.S. INDIANAPOLIS, PARTS ONE, TWO AND THREE AND RICARDO ROMO’S TEJANO REPORT ON THE ANCIENT WORLDS OF ITALY AND MEXICO.
This week we celebrate the heroism and contributions of American veterans. We start with an overview of Mexican and Mexican American contributions to America during its wars in an original essay penned by the late scholar, veteran and social activists, Don Felipe de Ortega y Gasca. This is an essay that was written some time ago, when Don Felipe was still with us. We repost this piece posthumously because we feel it still rings true and gives us so much insight into our past.
Also this week, we post three clips from an interview with Harpo Celaya, one of the survivors of the infamous sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis. Some of you may recall the Indianapolis from the Movie Jaws, when we hear the fate of this secret ship that carried the atom bomb for deployment over Japan which ended the war. But few people know that after the U.S.S. Indianapolis had delivered its cargo, it was sunk by a Japanese submarine. Since the mission was extremely secret, no one heard of the sinking for days. During this time more than 900 sailors floated in rafts in shark infested waters. Hundreds died during the week before they were rescued. In this Latinopia exclusive, Harpo Celeya, a seventeen year old survivor, recounts his perilous experiences during the explosion that sunk the ship and in its aftermath. An incredible story of survival.
Lastly, Don Ricardo Romo returns with his Tejano Report. This week, he looks at the influence of ancient Italian and Mexican art on contributory Chicano arts.
Enjoy your week on Latinopia!
Tia Tenopia