Post by pdh54 on Jul 16, 2012 2:32:52 GMT 8
So sad that the people from this era are gradually leaving us. Mr. Antonio passed on Thursday July 13, 2012. It sounds like he was a good man and lived a full live after the horrors of his youth.
By: Adam Camp, KOB Eyewitness News 4 07/14/2012
Sam Antonio was laid to rest Saturday by family and friends in Grants, N.M.
He was 92-years-old and one of the few survivors of the Bataan Death March during World War II.
Antonio's friends said he had things like strength and endurance.
They also said Antonio did not keep all of his demons inside, but instead influenced hundreds of people throughout his life in the Acoma Pueblo and beyond.
"He came back a stronger person," said Doc Dwarf, an American Legion rider. "If you live through something like that, it makes you stronger. It can make you mean and non-caring, but those people came back with a good attitude."
Unlike many veterans of wars, Antonio talked about his experiences on the death march.
Antonio damaged his hands for the rest of his life because of an escape attempt from the Bataan Prison Camp.
According to friend Marshall Fletcher, Antonio and a friend put a board over the electric fence surrounding the camp.
But Antonio slipped on the board and his hands hit the fence, the shock damaged his hands forever.
On the march, he would plant bean seeds under the watchful eye of a Japanese guard.
"Everytime the guard wasn't looking, he'd (Sam) put a handful of bean seed in his mouth and eat," Marshall Fletcher, a long-time friend, said.
Antonio's daughter, Tina Valdez, said it's important for New Mexico to recognize the treasure it has of Bataan survivors before they are all gone.
She said there is one survivor remaining in the Grants area, and he was one of Antonio's closest friends.
"We have to push our history," Valdez said. "Our New Mexico history, our heritage so that we can remember these guys."
She said one of her father's later wishes was to go to Japan and meet one of the soldiers who use to be his enemy.
"We go home now and the house is empty," Valdez said, holding back tears. "When he was alive, the house was full of laughter, full of love. Hopefully we can carry on that spirit."
By: Adam Camp, KOB Eyewitness News 4 07/14/2012
Sam Antonio was laid to rest Saturday by family and friends in Grants, N.M.
He was 92-years-old and one of the few survivors of the Bataan Death March during World War II.
Antonio's friends said he had things like strength and endurance.
They also said Antonio did not keep all of his demons inside, but instead influenced hundreds of people throughout his life in the Acoma Pueblo and beyond.
"He came back a stronger person," said Doc Dwarf, an American Legion rider. "If you live through something like that, it makes you stronger. It can make you mean and non-caring, but those people came back with a good attitude."
Unlike many veterans of wars, Antonio talked about his experiences on the death march.
Antonio damaged his hands for the rest of his life because of an escape attempt from the Bataan Prison Camp.
According to friend Marshall Fletcher, Antonio and a friend put a board over the electric fence surrounding the camp.
But Antonio slipped on the board and his hands hit the fence, the shock damaged his hands forever.
On the march, he would plant bean seeds under the watchful eye of a Japanese guard.
"Everytime the guard wasn't looking, he'd (Sam) put a handful of bean seed in his mouth and eat," Marshall Fletcher, a long-time friend, said.
Antonio's daughter, Tina Valdez, said it's important for New Mexico to recognize the treasure it has of Bataan survivors before they are all gone.
She said there is one survivor remaining in the Grants area, and he was one of Antonio's closest friends.
"We have to push our history," Valdez said. "Our New Mexico history, our heritage so that we can remember these guys."
She said one of her father's later wishes was to go to Japan and meet one of the soldiers who use to be his enemy.
"We go home now and the house is empty," Valdez said, holding back tears. "When he was alive, the house was full of laughter, full of love. Hopefully we can carry on that spirit."