Free admission to film tribute to Hispanic veterans Published Aug. 24, 2007 KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico -- Sept. 9 and 28 the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services and National Hispanic Cultural Center are presenting two film tributes to Hispanic veterans in solidarity with Defend the Honor, a project dedicated to supporting efforts of individuals and organizations to ensure that World War II-era Latinos and Latinas are included in today's general historical narratives. "Here in New Mexico one doesn't have to look hard to learn of the contributions of Hispanic WWII veterans," said John M. Garcia, secretary, New Mexico Department of Veterans Services. "These films honor our greatest generation and we'll remember our Korean, Vietnam and Gulf War brothers, and will pause for the men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan." Film Tribute to Hispanic Veterans Sunday, Sept. 9, 2 p.m. National Hispanic Cultural Center Free Admission "Introduction of the Legacy of Letters Project" From the archives of the state of New Mexico and the personal collections of our state's military families, veterans are remembered through their own words. Filmmaker Tony Martinez and Cabinet Secretary John Garcia will introduce the three-to- five minute pilot. "Latino Stories of World War II" Although an estimated 250,000 to 500,000 American Latinos fought in WWII, their contribution is virtually unknown to the American public. This documentary is the first to tell their stories, which have been "missing in action" for far too long. Four surviving veterans describe their experiences in their own words. These veterans served in the Air Force, the Army and the Marines and fought in three different theaters of WWII: Europe, the Pacific and India-China-Burma. Director/producer: Mario Barrera; editor/producer: Dee Barrera; co-producer: Chad Cochran. Running time: 60 minutes. "Colors of Courage: Sons of New Mexico, Prisoners of Japan" This film tells the dramatic story of New Mexico's 200th and 515th Coastal Artillery Regiments in WWII in the Pacific. These highly decorated regiments suffered incredible punishment during their imprisonment. A Japanese soldier guard in the Bataan Death March was interviewed for this film; he responds to eyewitness accounts of atrocities committed by the Japanese after the fall of Bataan on April 9, 1942. Sixty years later, Bataan veterans Manuel Armijo and Evans García returned to the Philippines -- and back in time -- recounting experiences of the death march, the prison camps and the hell ships. It is a powerful story of courage and heroism. The producers present "Colors of Courage" as a tribute to the WWII veterans who fought valiantly in service to the people of their country. Narrated by Gene Hackman. Producers: Tony Martinez and Scott Henry, sponsored by The University New Mexico Center for Regional Studies. Running time: 30 minutes.