User:Marine 69-71
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Who am I?  
I was born the son of Puerto Rican immigrants, in New York, New York, more specifically in the South Bronx area where being a gang member was a way of life. I was raised in the mean streets (Simpson St.) of New York where I was a member of a gang called "The Torchmen" a branch of the "Crowns". When my family moved to Cambria Heights, Queens I created and led a gang called "The Vikings". Some people used to call me "The Man with the Gun". When I was a child growing up in New York City, the only heroes that we "Hispanics" (note: that term hadn't even been coined then) had were "El Zorro", The "Cisco Kid" and "Speedy Gonzalez". Our history books failed to make mention of the numerous contributions which Hispanics have made to the formation of our country. I didn't know about our participation in the Revolutionary War nor about our heroes in the Civil War. As I grew older, I became aware that our people produced good singers and that in some cases some Hispanics were given minor stereotyped roles in Hollywood and that we had a Desi Arnaz who was in love with Lucy in the television sitcom "I love Lucy", but that was it. I was accepted in Columbia University but, instead I decided that I wanted to be a Marine. I was an active member of the United States Marine Corps from 1969 to 1971 and in the reserves until 1975, fighting in the Vietnam War. As I saw how many disparities there were between White soldiers and soldiers of ethnic minorities, I formed a group of soldiers within my company, one that included Puerto Ricans, Mexicans, Central Americans and others. This group was named the Latin Power In unity. My friend and comrade Reese formed the Black Power group and our groups worked closely towards better treatment of minorities and to improve the relationship between the members of the other races in our company (H&S Co., 2/9 3rd. Marine Division). I also served in the Corps Military Police. 
This, in turn, led me to view American politics on Puerto Rico differently. It also made me curious of my roots. I can honestly say that I am proud to be a Puerto Rican. I never returned to New York, I rather flew to San Juan, where I was supposed to visit my father for two weeks before returning home, but I met my future wife, Milagros (my dad's neighbor, see: The Marine and the Girl Next Dooor), while in Puerto Rico, and decided to stay for twenty years. Because of what I saw, I am a strong believer that Puerto Rico should become an independent nation. At first, I became a follower of the ideals of the Puerto Rican Independence Party headed by Ruben Berrios, however now I believe that the PIP lacks true leadership and does not have an effective program which reaches out to the common person explaining the importance of saving our national identity. Does this make me a bad person? No, unless George Washington, Simon Bolivar and Ramón Emeterio Betances (not that I compare myself to them) were bad persons. Does this make me an anti-American? No, I was born in the U.S., served in the U.S.M.C. and my grandchildren are half "Anglo". I just believe that every nation has a right to its independence. I enrolled in the Interamerican University and I majored in Business Administration and accounting. I was a magna cum laude student. I have also graduated from the Puerto Rican Real Estate Academy and the American Banking Institute with honors. I studied computers in the Polytechnical Institute of Caguas, Puerto Rico. I was the owner of a wholesale business and of other ventures. It was Antonio, my son, who inspired me to become interested in this project. My main objective in Wikipedia is to educate others by writing mini-bios about the accomplishments of famous Puerto Ricans (including those of Puerto Rican descent), articles related to Puerto Rican History plus, I have set it upon myself as a goal to write about the positive contributions which we Hispanics have made to this country in general. Experiences with Wikipedia Writting in Wikipedia has provided me with many positive experiences and recognitions, which I would like to share. 
On March 20, 2007 , Maribeth Kouts, daughter of William Walter Kouts, began an extensive Internet search for the family of David M. Gonzales, the Medal of Honor recipient who saved her father's life in World War II ,[2] and she posted the following message on Wikipedia:
I responded to the message and told Maribeth that I would try to help her in their quest. I sent e-mails to Congressman Howard Berman and telephoned every David Gonzales in the Los Angeles area without any luck.[4] I then placed a message in Somos Primos, a Hispanic heritage cultural magazine, for which I write and on April 11, 2007, I made contact with Ernestine Gonzales, cousin of David Gonzales Jr. and, as a result, both families met in the Atlanta suburb of Powder Springs, Georgia for the first time on May 24, 2007.[2] The event brought closure to over 60 years of searching for the relatives of David M. Gonzales on behalf of William W. Kouts. Said Beatrice Gonzales, David's daughter-in-law, "We feel so much peace because David's father died to save a very good man who lived a good life."[5] "We owe so much to Mr. Santiago," said Maribeth Kouts.[2] On May 27, 2007, I was featured in The Arizona Republic under the headlines “A medal, a debt, both of honor”.[5] 
The biographies about Puerto Rican soldiers which I have written in Wikipedia have helped to get the names of some Puerto Rican soldiers who perished in combat inscribed in “El Monumento de la Recordación” in Puerto Rico. On November 28, 2007, I became the first Puerto Rican to be honored by the Government of Puerto Rico for my work on behalf of Puerto Rico in Wikipedia when the Senate of Puerto Rico recognized me as a military historian and paid me tribute with a Resolution #3603.[6] The resolution was presented at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel by then President of the Senate of Puerto Rico and current Secretary of State, the Honorable Kenneth McClintock and Senators Lucy Arce, Juan Eugenio Hernández Mayoral and Jorge Suárez Cáceres on behalf of the people of Puerto Rico.[7] On January 30, 2008, I was featured in the ’’Phoenix Republic’’ in an article titled “Author details contributions of Puerto Ricans.[8][9] 
I was invited to the Puerto Rican Capitol Building and in the presence of my wife Milagros, members of the Puerto Rican Senate and the House of Representatives, was presented with a gift by the President of the Puerto Rican Senate, the Honorable Kenneth McClintock. Also, present in my recognition was the former President of the United States Bill Clinton, his wife, then the junior United States Senator from New York and current Secretary of State of the United States Hillary Rodham Clinton and their daughter Chelsea Clinton. Brigadier General Hector E. Pagan, the Deputy Commanding General of the United States Army Special Warfare Center and School, presented me with the USAJFKSWCS Medal of Excellence.[10] During the ceremonies, McClintock made the following public statement:[11]
In "Te quiero Puerto Rico, Primaria Presidencial Democrata 2008", a book published in 2010,[12], McClintock and co-author Roberto Prats described my meeting with President and Senator Clinton, indicating that, while the national media that followed them from a previous engagement in Ponce, Puerto Rico set up their equipment, they visited the Senate President's office, where they "mingled with statehood and PDP leaders and with the person to whom the activities of the day were dedicated, veteran and Puerto Rican military historian Antonio 'Tony the Marine' Santiago." On August 10, 2010, Secretary of State of Puerto Rico Kenneth D. McClintock made welcoming remarks at the Memorial Wall before the Presidential National Commission on the American Latino Museum in Puerto Rico where he declared me to be Puerto Rico’s foremost military historian[13]Other recognitions as a Wikipedian I was recognized in a speech given by Mr. Javier De la Luz, then Chief of Staff of Luis G. Fortuño, Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico to the United States Congress and now Governor of Puerto Rico, during the ceremonies held in front of the Capitol Building in which the names of Puerto Rico's fallen soldiers were unveiled.[14] Luis G. Fortuño stated the following:[15]
On June 8, 2009, the Chief of the Maintenance Managemnt, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Fwd.) United States Marine Corps, Cpl. Robert P. Lemiszki, honored me with a letter, which recognized my ongoing contributions to the military community, and with a United States Flag which was flown over the 2nd Marine Aircraft (Fwd) Headquarters, Marine Air Base, Al Asad, Iraq during Operation Iraqui Freedom.[16] On October 5, 2009, I was honored by Brigadier General Rafael O'Ferrall, the Deputy Commanding General for the Joint Task Force at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba with the "Commander's Coin for Excellence" together with a certificate which states:[17]
The Commander's Coin for Excellence is an impact award given by the Joint Task Force Commander to those soldiers and civilians he deems worthy of immediate recognition.[18]
All said and done, what I'm trying to say is that your work as well as mine in Wikipedia is very important and that you can make a difference. Personal My wife's name is Milly and I am the proud father of Antonio, Jose and Nilda, and the grandfather of three beautiful grandchildren named Isabel, Nina and John Anthony. If you would really like to know why I spend so many hours writing in Wikipedia you may find the answer here: Why I write in Wikipedia |
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| U.S.A. | Japan | South Vietnam | Taiwan | |||||
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| Philippines | Puerto Rico | Mexico | British Virgin Islands | |||||
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| British Hong Kong | U.S. Virgin Islands | Dominican Republic | ||||||
Articles which I have authored
List of articles:
which I have authored
Table of Contents
1. Actors, Actresses, Comedians, Directors and Television show hosts
2. Authors, Historians, Playwrights, and Poets
3. Beauty Queens and Supermodels
4. Business people and Industrialists
5. Cartoonists
6. Civil rights and/or Political activists
7. Composers, Musicians, and Singers
8. Criminals and outlaws
9. Educators
10. Governors
11. Journalists
12. Judges and Law Enforcement Officers
13. Military people
14. Politicians
15. Religious leaders
16. Scientists and Physicians
17.Sports people
18. Taínos
19. Visual artists
20. Puerto Rican history
21. Puerto Rican Military history
22. Puerto Rican Nationalist Party series
23. Immigration series to and from Puerto Rico
24.Other Puerto Rican related articles
25.Hispanic Medal of Honor recipients
26. Non Puerto Rican military bios.
27. Non Puerto Rican bios.
28. Military related articles
| Articles | Total |
|---|---|
| Authored | 590 |
| Profiles | 24 |
| Contributed 50%+ | 13 |
| Edits | Who Knows? |
| Total | 627 |
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External audio
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Personal Milestones and Honors
Press Releases
Vietnam Veterans National Medal
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Vietnam Veterans National Medal
Senate Resolution # 3603
The President of the Puerto Rican Senate, the Honorable Kenneth McClintock presented me this resolution honoring my Puerto Rican related work in Wikipedia on behalf of the government. This may very well be the first time in history that a government recognizes someone for his work in Wikipedia.
USAJFKSWCS Medal of Excellence
USAJFKSWCS Medal of Excellence presented to me by Brigadier General Hector E. Pagan on Memorial Day of May 26, 2008.
Joint Task Force Commander's Coin and Certificate for Excellence
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Joint Task Force Commander's Coin for Excellence -
Joint Task Force Certificate for Excellence
Joint Task Force Commander's Coin and Certificate for Excellence presented to Tony (The Marine) Santiago by Brigadier General Rafael O'Ferrall on October 5, 2009.
Bill in U.S. House of Representatives contains one of my articles
The following Bill Dr. Jose Celso Barbosa Post Office Building Designation Act introduced to the United States House of Representatives by Congressman Luis Fortuño, contains the mini-biography of Dr. Jose Celso Barbosa which I wrote. The bill was signed by President Bush on August 1, 2006. It's now Public Law 109-253.
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Tony the Marine has been identified as an Awesome Wikipedian, Love, A record of your Day will always be kept here. |
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User:Marine 69-71 has been identified as an Awesome Wikipedian, Peace, A record of your Day will always be kept here. |
Wikipedia Awards and Recognitions Page
Outstanding Wikipedians
 Wall of Honor |
Featured Articles or Lists
Featured Selected USMC Biographies/Articles
Not Featured, but Extremely Good Articles
Note: All my articles are "Good", but these are better, so they say
The Good Article Medal of Merit
awarded August 26, 2007
My Articles in DYK
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DYK Medal
Awarded Dec. 10, 2006 -
25 DYK Medal
Awarded Sept. 4, 2007 -
50 DYK Medal
Awarded June 16, 2009
| On December 8, 2008, Ivan Castro received 71,300 page views while it was featured on the Main Page, establishing an all-time DYK record for most page views, a record which was unbroken until July 11, 2010! See: All time best of DYK. |
"Boricua" Barnstars
Barnstar Award Versions That I've Created
"To be award to those dedicated users who have made significant amount of contributions or improvements to articles related to a particular country" (example: Puerto Rico, shown above).
To be award to dedicated users whose contributions and dedication to articles regarding Puerto Rico are above and beyond from what is normally expected and have helped provide a positive image of the island.
- "Recipient should have at least one featured article about Puerto Rico" or
- "Has created a significant amount of Puerto Rico related articles".
Helpful SitesWikipedia:How does one edit a page Wikipedia:Sandbox Wikipedia:Naming conventions manual of style Wikipedia:Help Village pump administrators' reading list administrators' how-to guide Guide of Barnstars, Tool for edit count, Add images to pages, Special Upload, Wikipedia:Public domain image resources, Block, Unblock, Protected page, Welcoming New Comers, Copyright Tags, Stub Proposal, Deletion policy, {{Template:PuertoRico-bio-stub}},Help:TableWeb colors, Warning Templates, PR Template={{portal|Puerto Rico|Flag_of_Puerto_Rico.svg}}, Special:Userrights, Wikipedia article traffic statistics,Checklinks, Protected={{pp-protected}} Note: "Copyrights sites"
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License
I agree to multi-license all my contributions, with the exception of my user pages, as described below:
| Multi-licensed with the Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike License versions 1.0 and 2.0 | ||
| I agree to multi-license my text contributions, unless otherwise stated, under Wikipedia's copyright terms and the Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike license version 1.0 and version 2.0. Please be aware that other contributors might not do the same, so if you want to use my contributions under the Creative Commons terms, please check the CC dual-license and Multi-licensing guides. | ||
| This is a Wikipedia user page.
If you find this page on any site other than Wikipedia, you are viewing a mirror site. Be aware that the page may be outdated, and that the user this page belongs to may have no personal affiliation with any site other than Wikipedia itself. The original page is located at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Marine_69-71. |
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References
- ^ Somos Primos
- ^ a b c LaMaster, Lynne (May 28, 2007). "A Day of Remembrance and Gratitude". Crispy News. Archived from the original on 2007-05-29. http://web.archive.org/web/20070529014025/http://thatscrispy.com/.
- ^ Talk:David M. Gonzales, wiki version "diff" of March 4, 2007
- ^ Santiago, Tony (June 7, 2007). "The David M. Gonzales - William Kouts story" (PDF). El Boricua. http://www.elboricua.com/TonyMarineGonzalez.pdf. Retrieved 2007-07-21.
- ^ a b Faherty, John (May 27, 2007). "A medal, a debt, both of honor". The Arizona Republic. http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/0527MedalofHonor.html. Retrieved 2007-05-27.
- ^ News and notes
- ^ Senado de Puerto Rico
- ^ Alison Stanton (January 30, 2008). "Author details contributions of Puerto Ricans". The Arizona Republic. http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0129phx-town0130.html.
- ^ Hispanic Tips
- ^ USAJFKSWCS Medal of Excellence
- ^ Memorial Day Speech
- ^ http://www.musicaboricua.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?LNG=en-US&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=AES-8474&Category_Code=Libros
- ^ Welcoming Remarks at the Memorial Wall before the Presidential National Commission on the American Latino Museum
- ^ "Senado conmemora junto a los Clinton Día de la Recordación". Primera Hora. Associated Press: p. 3. May 25, 2008. http://www.primerahora.com/noticia/otras/noticias/senado_conmemora_junto_a_los_clinton_dia_de_la_recordacion/193932.
- ^ Speech by the Honorable Luis G. Fortuño
- ^ Unofficial Letter of Appreciation from Robert Lemiszki to Tony Santiago, 20 May 2009
- ^ Certificate for the Commander's Coin for Excellence, presented by Brigadier General Rafael O'Ferrall on October 5, 2009.
- ^ Commander's Coin for Excellence Program Policy Memorandum 11, Jay W. Hood Brigadier General. US Army, 24 March 2004
