Tony Alva:
CLASS OF 1974
Burges High SchoolClass of 1974
El paso, TX
Tony's Story
I joined the Marines in our senior year, in February. By the end of March, I was on my way to boot camp. Since I already had the necessary credits, essentially I left school early. My sister, Frances Samaniego picked up my diploma for me.
I went to boot camp with five other guys: my brother Greg; Frank Macias; Danny Saavedra; and his older brother, Johnny (class of '72). In boot camp, my brother Greg was hurt and medically discharged. Danny did his enlistment and returned home. Johnny and I both stayed in and retired: he in 1994 and me in 1995. We both retired from Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, Ca.
In the Marines, I did four seperate one-year tours in Okinawa. I also spent time in Korea, Hong Kong, the Philippines (3x), Alaska, Hawaii, the first Gulf War, and Somalia (after the Army "Blackhawk Down" disaster). I also travelled thru several other locations; sometimes for a few hours others for a few days (Guam, Spain, Germany, Eygpt, etc.)
In the Marines, I was a field radio operator. I guess over the years I carried one too many radios and hurt my back.
I also spent four years as a Marine recruiter in Santa Fe, NM; El Paso, TX; and San Antonio, TX. While here in El Paso, I met my future wife, Patricia Hernandez. She's a 1977 grad from Coronado. We married in Oct 1981 in San Antonio.
We have three kids: Eric, 23 and Adrian, 21 were both born i...Expand for more
n Upland, CA. My daughter, Marissa, 15 was born in Irvine,Ca.
I also spent three years training reservists in Pico Rivera, CA.
In January 1995, I retired from the Marine Corps as a Gunnery Sergeant. My wife and I decided to return home to El Paso. We settled on the west side. Both my boys have graduated from Franklin and my daughter is currently a sophmore.
For a few months after retiring from the Marines I worked at a Seven/Eleven. Later in 1995, I began working for the TX DPS. I spent three years a police communications operator.
In August 1998, I was hired as a clerk for the U S Postal Service. At various times, I was assigned to the main plant on Boeing, the Downtown station, and the Coronado station. I also assisted at the Summit Heights station (on Dyer) and the Sandy Creek station (George Dieter).
Most recently, I was assigned to the plant. But, my back became worse by my postal job and I become medically retired just this past November 2009.
Now, I'm retired from the Marine Corps, medically retired from the Post Office, and an 80% veteran.
While working for the post office, I obtained an AS in Business Management from Park University. In 2006, I received a BS in Human Resources also from Park U, graduating Summa-cum-laude.
I'm now a stay-at-home dad/granddad. Most days I'm ok but I also have my days where I need assistance from my cane.
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