Jordan Wise, David Vasquez, and Jose Maldonado
Mr. Mendiola
World Geography
05/11/08
Interview
My name is David Vasquez and Jordan Wise. Could you introduce yourself, my name is
Julio Ruiz, Jr., I was born in 1936, I am 71 years old, and I was born in Laredo, Texas. I
was born to Mr. Julio Ruiz, Senior, and Estella Ruiz. I attended Laredo schools, I started
by working, I used to work as a shoeshine boy and selling lemons at the main plaza in
Laredo, Texas. I used to earn five cents per shoeshine and five cents for selling lemons.
From there my father started to work at a service station and my mother used to work at a
drug store. From there I finished elementary school and then went to high school (Martin
High School).
1) Did you join the army? After I graduated when I was 19 years old, at first I join
National Guard when I was attending Martin High School, for six years. When he
finished working at the National Guard I went to the Regular Army. From there
they transferred me to Denver, Colorado for processing and from there they sent
me to Fort Worth, Texas for my training. At the end my training I was chipped to
Germany where I served for 2 years. In Germany near Chezeck Slovakia Border I
was a tank driver and a cooker.
2) What was the purpose of joining the Military? The purpose was to help my
parents with financial aid and get an education in the army.
3) How much money did you earn? I was making $78 a month because I get
everything free Medical Insurance, free uniforms, free meals and everything.
Jordan Wise, David Vasquez, and Jose Maldonado
Mr. Mendiola
World Geography
05/11/08
4) Was it hard in the war? At the time it was the Cuban Crisis, we had moved to the
border of Chezeck Slovakia because at the time they were both communist
countries, and they still are. I served there for three months, heavy snow, and had
to camp outside.
5) What did you do after the war? After I served my country I came back home, I
started to work at the Mercy hospital as a warehouse man, transferred to
management, to director, I worked at Mercy hospital for 26 years, and then
retired.
6) Did you have a family? I had a wife who was named Gregoria Ruiz, two
daughters, Cindy and Lisa Ruiz, two sons, Joseph and César Ruiz. They all
attended Laredo schools.
7) Was it difficult in the war? Well it was not that hard, except some of the soldiers I
knew did not come back to Laredo alive.
8) How has the economy changed since your days? Gas has gone up tremendously;
the rest of the technology has changed in advancement. The gas was twenty six
cents a gallon for as long as I can remember, and that is one of the biggest
changes.
9) How much did your parents make? My mom use to make fifty to sixty dollars a
week, and my father use to make eighty dollars a week.
Jordan Wise, David Vasquez, and Jose Maldonado
Mr. Mendiola
World Geography
05/11/08
10) What jobs were available at the time besides the military? Salesman, hospital for
thirty years, farmers, and there were a few other jobs that were available but did
not pay too much.
11) How many siblings had joined the army? One of my brothers who joined the
military, my brother in law who joined National Guard, and as far know another
brother that joined the air force, and that is about all the relatives that I know of
that had joined into the military.
12) What are you doing right now? I am working part time with my nephew, I almost
work five days a week.
13) Who else worked when you did as an elementary kid? Only me and one of my
other brothers.
This will conclude my interview with David Vasquez and Jordan Wise, and I was
happy t volunteer to Jordan’s, David’s, and Jose’s project.