07/08/02
Our Neighbors - Albert Renteria:
A Mexican, a Marine, an American
Manny Medrano
North County Times
Albert R. Renteria of Fallbrook was born in Chicago in 1957. During the 1968
racial turbulence in Chicago, his front yard was a war zone. Close friends were
gunned down.
Renteria is dark-skinned
and was not immune to racial issues. He remembers finding himself using "for
blacks only" water fountains. He is not sure what was worse, being a Mexican
or being a dark-skinned Mexican. He remembers very clearly how many times he
was stopped in the streets of Chicago by immigration officials who thought he
was an illegal citizen. It forced him to realize that strength in yourself is
critical to making change.
Renteria just attended an event at the Naval War College in Newport, R.I. He said he was inspired by the speeches given by two Latino cadets. The visit, he said, reinforced his conviction that "I need you, whether you are from my culture or another. Together we will make this one nation."
Renteria does not want to narrow his participation to any one culture. He believes we should treat everyone as an American.
Renteria has eight brothers and sisters. His interest was to learn as much as he could to help his family's financial situation. At 16, he dropped out of high school, attempting to find a job, to no avail.?He returned to high school and graduated at 17. He earned a scholarship to attend Wright College in Chicago.
It seemed right that he join an organization that would give him some direction. He joined the Marine Corps. He quickly rose to a leadership position with a promotion to sergeant at the two-year mark, later earning ranks of gunnery sergeant and eventually chief warrant officer.
Retiring after 26 years in the Marine Corps, Renteria has found time to do community work.?He joined the Navy League and now serves as the Tri-City Council's president and national director. The Navy League's Operation Interdependence™ program helps supply and prepare letters, sports clippings, videos, games, grooming aids, magazines and post care packages to the military overseas.
Renteria's interest is to reach the public at large and educate them on the importance of interdependence and our military forces. This is a multicultural program with a youth educational format.
Operation Interdependence™'s slogan is "Educating America ---- the next 100 years." This means for young students to speak out and bridge the gap with elders, who represent wisdom. Renteria started these programs in January 2002, and they have become a popular event at adult meetings. Students from local schools enjoy sharing their passions and dedication to their country.?Renteria says he is especially proud of them when they give speeches that bring the crowds to their feet.
Renteria says he is very much interested in young Americans and their future.?Renteria has successfully brought people together from North County and the nation, most recently, with Flora Vista Elementary, whose students have assisted Operation Interdependence™.
Renteria also is involved with an organization called The Pacific Wars Memorial Foundation, a nonprofit group dedicated to building a Pacific Wars Memorial in Oceanside. Renteria works for a management consulting firm.?He has been married 25 years. He has three children: Angelina, 21, who graduated from Long Beach State this month and now is pursing her master's degree;?Albert Jr., 19, is completing his associate's degree at Palomar College this year; and Daniel, 17, is starting his second year at Palomar College.
Manny Medrano is executive director of the Barrios Unidos Center for Community Leadership. He can be reached at MedranoManny@yahoo.com