[Eagle Pass news Guide, Thursday , April 7, 2005]
VFW Annex Building named after 'Big Rod' Rodriguez
The wind was blowing smartly out of the north, but the sun was
shining as the Veterans of Foreign Wars along with city and county dignitaries
gathered to dedicate the recently completed VFW building on Main street
Wednesday morning.
"We are gathered to honor Vivian 'Big Rod' Rodriguez in
naming this structure. The motion passed unanimously. It was the
intent to surprise "Big Rod" said Master of Ceremonies Lou Gonzalez, 'but
the winds of Eastertide blew the paper covering the the painted sign on the
building away and we had a devil of a time trying to complete the surprise.
His wife Carmen, told the commander that Big Rod was getting upset because she
would not drive passed the building to allow him to see the progress of the
improvements on the VFW meeting hall. "
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[Photo Caption] : |
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A wind blown Vivian Rodriguez accepts the honor of the naming of the builging behind him at the VFW Wednesday morning. That's his brother George in from San Antonio to hold down the papers and Big Rod so that Mother Natures northerly zepheryrs do not carry him away. |
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Photo by George Q. |
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Jessica Kowalski sings "Wind beneath my wings" |
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Photo by George Q. |
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Eagle Pass city goverment proclaims April 6th as "Big Rod" Day |
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Photo by George Q. |
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Maveric County goverment proclaims April 6th as "Big Rod" Day |
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Photo by George Q. |
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Big Rod accepts presentation from the County |
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Photo by George Q. |
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Grandson Benjamin Rodriguez reminds "Big Rod" that just as God made little green apples, he is his 'Grand pa'. |
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Photo by George Q. |
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Veterans Group Picture |
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Photo by George Q. |
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Carmen and Big Rod listen to presentation |
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Photo by George Q. |
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Sons of Big Rod (From the Left:) Benjamin (George's Son), George Richard Rodriguez , Marvin John Rodriguez, Viviano C. Rodriguez |
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Photo by George Q. |
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The Building |
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Photo by Bank of America |
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Big Rod prepares for an article in the Bank of America News |
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[Eagle Pass news Guide, Thursday , April 7, 2005] Continued
"Big Rod was the catalyst behind the construction of the
building." he continued , " and was active in raising the money for it from the
ground up." Those gathered learned that Vern Knickerbocker and
formerly a prominent Eagle Pass attorney donated $5000 for the foundation
of the structure and patriot Joaquin Rodriguez another $1,200 , as the
construction proceeded.
" I believe that I can say without contradiction, "
Gonzalez continues "that Big Rod is well known in the community. He is a giving
individual , always offering help to the people in need. As a life time member
of the Shriners, he took the responsibility of transporting sick children from
Piedras Negras to Houston for treatment , more often than not , paying all the
expenses involved. There are other acts of Community Service that he has
been involved over the years , too many to enumerate."
In thanking the VFW for the honor, Rodriguez was touched.
"Normally a person receives an honor like this after a person has passed
on," he began, "I am deeply moved. I have been asked to give a short
history of how this building came to be. The building has six sides,
floor, roof and four walls. This building was built one side at a time by
the community." Rodriguez then introduced his family
whose son George (and Marvin*) came from Kansas, his son Viviano and
(brother George Q.*) from San Antonio, " and of course my wife Carmen
who was at my side all the time the building was being built."
" It was Joe Montanez who graded and prepared the construction
site for the building footings, a building 100 feet long and 70 feet wide.
The west wall was built after Dick Lane from the city gave an
estimate of the number of blocks needed for the wall. Joaquin Rodriguez
provided the funds to purchase the (concrete) blocks.
The building was completed one wall at a time with donations
from Walmart of San Antonio, a donation from Dr. Gil, the Lions Club Ladies and
Carols Rodriguez and the roof by Reymundo Ibarra.
"You can be proud of your work" Rodriguez concluded, " this
VFW community Center will bring the good people of Eagle Pass closer together
under a well constructed roof. I could not leave you without mentioning
the role that Rubin Salazar and Joe C. Flores played for the helicopter for
display at the( Veterans Pavilion ) at the Lake. They were in the
Washington D.C. area area on September 11, 2001. On the way back with the
helicopter, they were stopped several times by security forces about the
helicopter they were hauling back to Eagle Pass" he recalled. "It is
a great monument to our service men and especially our Vietnam Veterans."
* these changes are made by the web master to reflect
corrections to the article.
