American GI Forum-Miguel Hernandez Jr., Memorial Chapter, San Antonio Texas

09/13/2025

THE AMERICAN GI FORUM OF TEXAS

WHAT: October AGIFTX Executive Board Meeting
WHEN: Saturday, October 18, 2025
WHERE: Cornerstone Church, 18755 Stone Oak, San Antonio, Texas 78258 210-490-1600

Registration: $45 for AGIF members and non-members

Meeting Coordinator: Linda Hernandez (210-847-7085), email: lintodabeat@outlook.com

Recommended Hotel (1.5 Miles from Cornerstone Church)
Drury Plaza Hotel – Stone Oak, 823 North Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, Texas, 210-494-2420 (Mention attendance at Cornerstone Church for $96 per night rate)

HOSTED BY: Miguel Hernandez Jr. Memorial Chapter 501 (c)(4)

02/17/2022

On This Day Back in Texas History!

On this day back in 1949, the body of Private Felix Longoria of Three Rivers, Texas, was finally laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. Longoria was killed in the Philippines in World War II. His remains were initially shipped back home to the Three Rivers cemetery. Here the "Mexican" section was separated by barbed wire from the white graves. The funeral director of Three Rivers refused the use of his chapel for a "Mexican," claiming that white residents wouldn't like it. Dr. Hector Garcia, founder of the American G. I. Forum, sent many telegrams and letters to Texas congressmen asking for their help in righting this injustice.

Senator Lyndon B. Johnson offered to arrange the burial at Arlington National Cemetery. The funeral took place on February 16, 1949, at the Arlington National Cemetery. The Longoria family were joined by Senator Johnson and a personal representative of President Truman.

What came to be known as the Felix Longoria Affair gave Mexican Americans an obvious example of gross injustice to unite behind during their continued struggle for civil rights.

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09/29/2021

09/08/2021

Explore Veteran resources.

09/03/2021

The MHMC had their elections on August 26, 2021 and the following individuals are the new Officers for the 2021-2022 year...

Commander: Jose P Arizola
Vice-Commander: Myrna Chavarria
Secretary: Cosme Barcelo
Treasurer: Rudy Gamboa
Chaplin: Yvette Reyes
Sergeant At Arms: Lalo Gamboa

Thank you to the previous officers for your great work this past year. And welcome the new officers for a great year ahead.

05/04/2021

I deeply regret to inform all members of our community on the passing of Jake Alarid, The former American GI Forum (AGIF) National Commander, California AGIF State Commander, Commander of the El Camino Real AGIF Commander in Whittier California, a former United States Marine and a True Patriot.

While our friendship only dates back to 2011, I sincerely consider Jake Alarid as one of my mentors. Soft spoken yet deliberate and precise in his message and always focused on the pride of his Mexican-American Heritage and his Native New Mexico. The list of his accomplishments while leading the American GI Forum are many, I believe his greatest honor is as the AGIF National Commander who led the pursuit and achieved the goal of having the American GI Forum acknowledged by the United States Congress as one of the Congressionally Chartered National Veterans Service Organizations.

The American GI Forum has lost one of it's genuine and sincere leaders. The United States has lost a beacon of light in the acknowledgement of the contributions by the Mexican-American and Latino members of the United States Military Armed Forces, as well as the Mexican-American Community.

As an alumnus of the University of Southern California, I am quite sure Jake Alarid would encourage us all to "Fight On!"

I ask you all to join me in extending our prayers for God's acceptance of this kind soul into his kingdom and in offering our heart felt condolences to Maria Alarid and their family.

Good bye for now my Brother in Arms.

Howard Hernandez,
California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of Veterans Affairs
CalVet Disabled Veterans Business Enterprises Council Member
Los Angeles Region Community Veterans Engagement Board Member
Chairman Vets Advisory Committee NEAT
213-305-0009

04/18/2021

From: Gilbert Rodriguez
To: AGIF Texas
Subject: State Conference

Dear Texas Members:

The San Marcos Chapter has agreed to host our 2021 in-person State Conference. We do not expect a large crown, but are hoping that many of you will put on your masks and take a long awaited trip to our AGIF Annual Event. We know that many of you have already taken the vaccine so you should feel relatively safe. Attached is a flyer that will give you most of the information you need. We will continue to keep you updated and will make sure that our facilities are secure and clean, and as sanitized as can be done. Please attend, we’re anxious to see you again.