Mary Van Aken and Gilbert Garcia

Authors

CSUSB

Document Type

Video

Publication Date

10-17-2014

Abstract

Tom Rivera interviews couple Mary Van Aken Garcia and Gilbert Garcia, the former who knew Rivera for many years. At the start of the interview, the couple discusses how they first met, which was actually at another person’s wedding. The topic then moves from the couple’s relationship to school, their respective families, and the neighbors they had long ago. Garcia then speaks about his own time playing for the Mercury’s and softball. Garcia then speaks about getting into flying and eventually flying jets for the National Guard and Air Force. Van Aken Garcia goes on to discuss about the people she had reunited with, such as old friends and acquaintances. She also explains how, despite the odds, she and her husband made their marriage last decades. Going further, the couple talk about stories of prejudice in school and church. Van Aken Garcia goes on to talk about her parents raising foster children and eventually adopting one of the children. River asks Garcia how the men of South Colton felt a change after coming back from World War II and the Korean War. After Garcia mentions his experiencing picking fruit and his family, Van Aken Garcia talks about her own family and her friendship with Paul Chang. The interview ends with Rivera asking the couple what the best thing living in Colton was, which was finding a nice home to live in. The worst thing in Colton was prejudice against Mexican residents.

Recommended Citation

CSUSB, "Mary Van Aken and Gilbert Garcia" (2014). South Colton Oral History Project Collection. 82.
https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/colton-history/82