Placido Borrego was aware of the accolades and honors that were coming and still believed he did n’t deserve them.
He received anything equivalent to a royal 21- gun salute as dozens of family members and friends gathered with dignitaries at , City Hall , to recognize the 99- year- ancient military veteran. Wednesday was proclaimed , Placido Borrego Day.
Borrego, who served in the , U. S. Army , in World War II and during the Asian and , Vietnam , war, did what any guy would love under such stress.
He held back the tears, maintained a defense- like erect demeanor and kept the acceptance speech easy:” Thank you”.
Borrego said in a quick meeting following the incident at City Hall that many other martial soldiers “deserve it more than I do.”
Borrego’s six kids, 15 grandkids and 28 wonderful- grandchildren— with one more on the way — did n’t agree. Many of his children recalled the love and support he showed them as they grew up, while the majority of them were present.
They claimed that he kept up military requirements, such as ironing and creased his trousers, and polishing his gloves while he did not talk much about his military support.
” He made sure we know the sacrifices his century made”, said daughter , Karmella Borrego.
Borrego, born in the small group of Santo Niño, was drafted into the , U. S. Army , soon in 1943 at the age of 19, serving as an artillery gun in the , 65th Infantry Division.
Although he missed the Battle of the Bulge’s anticipated fighting because the ship he was sailing on became stranded abroad according to mine in the beach and water, he saw action in 1945, including the Friends ‘ quest of retreating Germans.
During a attack by the Germans, men retreated around the , Rhine River, where Borrego suffered injury both from an experience with an Army car and army debris.
After his device took command of a Nazi concentration camp, where the Germans had piled the bodies of dead prisoners like bundles of wood, more atrocities were to follow.
Though he did not see conflict in either the Asian or , Vietnam , problems, Borrego, who remained in the , U. S. Army Reserve, was called up to active duty during both war to educate men going into combat.
He also was a part of the , New Mexico National Guard , when it was called to answer to the terrible 1980 mob at the Penitentiary of , New Mexico , southern of , Santa Fe, where 33 died.
He retired from military assistance in 1984, after working as an underwater artist for the position as a human, daughter , Linda Borrego , said.
She claimed that he still raises some cattle on his farm off West Alameda Street and fishes twice a week.
She and other family members said they have planned a big party , Oct. 5 , for Borrego for his 100th birthday.
The ceremony took place at City Hall, and the atmosphere was similar to a party, with well-wishers congratulating Borrego and the family’s young tykes hurling around him and getting all excited at the same time.
Brig. took note of the large gathering of those family members who attended the occasion. Gen.  , Jamison Herrera, secretary of the state , Department of Veterans Services, joked to Borrego,” You now have your own battalion … a wonderful family unit”.
___
( c ) 2024 The Santa Fe New Mexican
Distributed by , Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
