Toribio Ortega was a general during the Mexican Revolution and confidant of Pancho Villa. Back when I was writing about John Wayne, I began thinking about the heroes in my own life, people of courage, strength, wisdom, and determination. These are the traits that set them apart. My great-grandfather, Toribio, came to mind as one such individual who possessed all the qualities that playacting John Wayne has, except his were for real, not an act. Though I'm sure had John Wayne been put in a similar circumstances the probabilities of his behavior being similar to Toribio's are pretty good.
I have a hard time seeing myself in my great-grandfather's face. My eye sockets could never get that dark, and nobody ever smiled in those days, or had reason to, except maybe for Pancho Villa. Toribio Ortega had a Mona Lisa smile, as if he were hiding something. He is given credit for firing the 1st shot that kicked off the Mexican Revolution. But he did much more than that, as is explained in this excerpt from the revolutionary biography, Toribio Ortega y la Brigada González Ortega.
I have a hard time seeing myself in my great-grandfather's face. My eye sockets could never get that dark, and nobody ever smiled in those days, or had reason to, except maybe for Pancho Villa. Toribio Ortega had a Mona Lisa smile, as if he were hiding something. He is given credit for firing the 1st shot that kicked off the Mexican Revolution. But he did much more than that, as is explained in this excerpt from the revolutionary biography, Toribio Ortega y la Brigada González Ortega.
General Toribio Ortega "On November 14, 1910, Toribio Ortega, that patriot and self-sacrificed citizen, at the head of 16 men on horseback, the majority without arms, threw his dueling glove at the face of the dictator, and with guns in his hands openly declared his rebellion against the usurper dictator, Porfirio Diaz. He launched his campaign without funds, arms, ammunition, or any other resources that are needed to rebel against a powerful central government. Toribio Ortega counted on the moral justice on his side, and not on the enemy's immense resources, which would bring final victory to his efforts. If he would perish in this effort, he would gladly give his life for his beloved country and firm democratic and liberal ideas." (p. 14)
Gen. Pancho Villa and Gen. Toribio Ortega He was the leader of the people at a time when they had nothing to lose and little to gain, except their dignity. At a time when a despot and scoundrel was the leader of Mexico, the people endured rampant poverty and oppression at the government's hands.
Rebellion was eminent. The original date for the insurrection was set for November 20, 1910, but on November 13 Toribio Ortega received word that he was to be arrested by "local authorities who were suspicious that he was ready to rise up in arms against the government." (p. 14) So he beat them to the punch and began operations on the 14th.
As one can imagine, my great-grandfather is a source of great pride, not only in my family but in his village of Cuchillo Parado and all of Mexico, as well. Among other memorials, there is the Museo del General Toribio Ortega located in Santiago De Coyame, Coyame del Sotol, Chihuahua, which is dedicated to the Mexican Revolution and the memory of Toribio Ortega.
Rebellion was eminent. The original date for the insurrection was set for November 20, 1910, but on November 13 Toribio Ortega received word that he was to be arrested by "local authorities who were suspicious that he was ready to rise up in arms against the government." (p. 14) So he beat them to the punch and began operations on the 14th.
As one can imagine, my great-grandfather is a source of great pride, not only in my family but in his village of Cuchillo Parado and all of Mexico, as well. Among other memorials, there is the Museo del General Toribio Ortega located in Santiago De Coyame, Coyame del Sotol, Chihuahua, which is dedicated to the Mexican Revolution and the memory of Toribio Ortega.
My father, Vic Sr., even took it upon himself to translate the biography about his grandfather, which is referenced below. He thought it so important that the story be preserved that he arranged for the Spanish version to be re-published and completed the arduous task of translating an English version. I had the honor of being his publisher for the English version, but in reality my father did all the work down to overseeing the editing, printing and binding of the book. He has always been a hands-on kind of guy in everything he does, like most men of his era, whom Tom Brokaw calls "the greatest generation."
Translating this biography of the General Ortega Ramirez should be considered one of my father's great scholarly accomplishments alongside his BA and MBA from Texas Western and UTEP, respectively. He was able to resurrect this great man and Mexican patriot for descendants who might not have been familiar with his achievements, and which made the history more accessible to English speakers, in general. The translation speaks for itself.
Translating this biography of the General Ortega Ramirez should be considered one of my father's great scholarly accomplishments alongside his BA and MBA from Texas Western and UTEP, respectively. He was able to resurrect this great man and Mexican patriot for descendants who might not have been familiar with his achievements, and which made the history more accessible to English speakers, in general. The translation speaks for itself.
World War II and the Great Depression are the dramatic backdrops to my father's life. Born on October 3, 1922, and having survived the poverty of El Paso's Segundo Barrio, he enlisted in the Army at 18 and eventually became an Army Air Corps aerial engineer and gunner on a B-24 Liberator. As one of the nine member crew, he served alongside Capt. Rob Hoskins and a corpsman named Starbuck, which is the same name as Melville's character in Moby Dick.
During the last year of the war they dropped bombs over Germany and Italy, and my dad even claims to have witnessed a fleet of UFOs above Germany. Visitors can find an artist's rendition of this event (the B-24 Liberator alongside the shadows of hovering UFO lights) that my wife Chris painted for him on an 8 x 10 in his living room in El Paso. After VE Day my dad was preparing to fight the Japanese when the U.S. dropped the big one on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ending the war.
During the last year of the war they dropped bombs over Germany and Italy, and my dad even claims to have witnessed a fleet of UFOs above Germany. Visitors can find an artist's rendition of this event (the B-24 Liberator alongside the shadows of hovering UFO lights) that my wife Chris painted for him on an 8 x 10 in his living room in El Paso. After VE Day my dad was preparing to fight the Japanese when the U.S. dropped the big one on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ending the war.
Standing L-R: Martinez, Victor M. 'Vic' (E/WG); Starbuck, Samuel T. Jr. (TT); Brown, Dale C. (BG); Sosnowski, Edwin W. 'Soz' (NG); Zannetti, Raymond O. 'Ray' (RO/WG); Tison, Eugene F. Jr. (TG)
Kneeling L-R: Griffin, William D. 'Grif' (N); Hoskins, Robert S. 'Rob' (P); Tucker, William F. 'Tuck' (CP)
Kneeling L-R: Griffin, William D. 'Grif' (N); Hoskins, Robert S. 'Rob' (P); Tucker, William F. 'Tuck' (CP)
While my father is a man of many talents and interests, hunting and fishing may well lead the list of favorite passions. From fishing in Arizona, New Mexico, California, Colorado and the Baja, to elk hunting with his brother Oscar in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, my father has loved the challenges presented by big game. Though, during the last few years, he has been liquidating much of his gear saying he is done with killing. At ninety-three years of age he continues to be in excellent health and is an inspiration to us all.
My father and mother, the late Berta Valdes Martinez, who passed away on February 6, 2008, raised seven children: Sandra, Teresa, Yolanda, Victor, Maria Marta (deceased), Carlos, and Cristina. As time turns, my dad has welcomed many grandchildren and great-grandchildren into the Martinez fold.
My father and mother, the late Berta Valdes Martinez, who passed away on February 6, 2008, raised seven children: Sandra, Teresa, Yolanda, Victor, Maria Marta (deceased), Carlos, and Cristina. As time turns, my dad has welcomed many grandchildren and great-grandchildren into the Martinez fold.
Sandy, Yolanda, Vic, Terry, Carlos, Vic Sr., and Cristy
Fermina Juarez is the grandmother of Victor Martinez, Sr. and the widow of Toribio Ortega.
In closing, this has been a tribute for two of the heroes in my life. As I move through rehabilitation, I draw on the strength that these two giants exhibited and continue to exhibit, in the case of my dad. Happy Father's Day to every one of my readers and to my dad, I love and appreciate you more than you'll ever know.
Ontiveros, Francisco, translated into English by Victor Manuel Martinez Ortega . Toribio Ortega y la Brigada González Ortega. Martinez Publishing Company, Austin. 1991
Ontiveros, Francisco, translated into English by Victor Manuel Martinez Ortega . Toribio Ortega y la Brigada González Ortega. Martinez Publishing Company, Austin. 1991
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