Retired Orange County Superior Court Judge Frederick Aguirre honored the role of Mexican Americans from Orange County in the U.S. military by traveling last week to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France.
Aguirre partnered with the Orange County Department of Education three years ago to film interviews with about a dozen local surviving Latino combat veterans from World War II. Their stories, now preserved for future generations, are posted on the American Patriots of Latino Heritage website, a historical resource for students and teachers who want to learn more about the many contributions of Latino patriots.
The Los Angeles Times talked with Aguirre as he traveled to France about the importance of recognizing all those who served in defense of the U.S., including soldiers with Latino heritage. Aguirre, who served as a judge for 15 years, said his work was part of an effort to refute prejudiced myths and stereotypes. Aguirre’s own father, Alfred V. Aguirre, served in WWII in the U.S. Army Air Corps.
Here is the 2016 video Aguirre produced with OCDE.