The War: Nebraska Stories
 7 of 12

Minority Experiences:
Mexican Americans
Mexican boy who works in the sugar beet fields. Lincoln County, Nebraska.
1938 Farm Security Administration photo. Courtesy Library of Congress. 		"Ironically, at home, the soldier's mothers, wives, and daughters were being told, 'Go home to Mexico, where you came from.'

"One mother is reported to have said, 'Send my son home from Germany first.' "
—From Our Treasures, A Celebration
of Nebraska's Mexican Heritage
by Dr. Emilia González-Clements

In the early 1900s, Mexicans migrated to Nebraska in large numbers for many reasons. Some left Mexico to escape the Mexican Revolution. Some came here to better their economic condition. Nebraska offered work in the beet fields, a fast-growing industry at that time, and on the railroads. But even though Nebraska needed them, these workers and their families were often victims of discrimination. Vietnam veteran Marty Ramirez and World War II veteran Nick Garcia discuss why Mexican Americans were Chosen First for the draft.

Mexican Americans Chosen First
 Nick Garcia (bottom row center), his brothers, and parents. Circa late 1920s.
Courtesy B. Nick Garcia.
Left: B. (Baldomero) Nick Garcia's high school graduation photo,
circa 1940s. Later, Garcia was Staff Sergeant, 1st Marine Division,
resident of Lincoln, NE.
Right: Nick Garcia's mother and father. Circa late 1910s.
Both photos courtesy B. Nick Garcia.
In Mexican American traditional culture, patriotism is very important. Many Nebraskans with Mexican roots enlisted and served proudly in the military during World War II. Even though Garcia and his family experienced prejudice at home, Latino Pride kept them from shirking military duty. In this video, Nick Garcia describes his experiences on Okinawa and what it was like to finally go home.
Latino Pride