Editor’s Note: This remembrance of Ed Castro Jr., originally appeared in our sister publication at https://tribunodelpueblo.org/in-memory-of-ed-castro-jr/
August 24, 2023—Eduardo Castro was loved by many for his simple ways. He was born in the Central Valley California town of Reedley. He rarely said no to anyone that asked for his participation or support. He lived a revolutionary life with its ups and downs and ever changing turns.
He was a young soldier drafted to fight in Vietnam. After his tour of duty, he studied and earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration at U.C.L.A. He wrote for and supported the bilingual Tribuno del Pueblo and People’s Tribune national publications along with the Zooming to the Border virtual panels that were offered during COVID-19. He fully supported the Poor People’s Campaign and attended the June 2022 Washington, DC national march representing the Central Valley of California. He was a founding member of the California Central Valley Journey for Justice and served as its first elected President.
In the early 1980’s, he chaired the Central Valley Equal Rights Congress, a precursor to the California Central Valley Journey for Justice. He was a dedicated Brown Beret member and would work as security in countless events. He was active in Veterans for Peace and worked with the Deported Veterans group to reunite them with their families. Ed took his long journey on August 15, 2023 at the age of 78. We will miss him for his compassionate and caring ways. A true and respected community warrior and leader.
Rest in Power Camarada Eduardo!! Never to be forgotten; until we meet again.
—Gloria Meneses-Sandoval and Salvador Sandoval MD, MPH
EDUARDO CASTRO JR.
U.S. ARMY
¡PRESENTE!
Brown Beret de Fresno, Veterans For Peace activist, Deported Veterans Support House Supporter, friend, brother. He wore many shoes.
I met Ed back on April 17, 2018 in Tijuana at the Bunker, the Deported Veterans Support House. I’m the Director and Founder.
I met him through my friend, María Cervantes, an activist and supporter out of Fresno, CA. That’s a good 8–hour–plus drive to Tijuana, México, a day prior to getting my U.S. citizenship the next day on April 18.
I was in San Diego getting sworn in and he was there to greet me as a U.S. citizen. From then on we communicated via phone and e–mail. Occasionally, he would go to Rosarito and stop by Tijuana to check in on us. He also eventually helped pay for our rent from time to time, but he always called to be updated on what was going on with legislation and meetings with politicians like Bernie Sanders, or just to check in on me and the men.
Recently, after Ed passed, I wanted to see if I had any voicemails saved and the only one I could find of Ed was calling in to check how I was doing after suffering a stroke, and to call him when I felt better. That’s the kind of man he was.
I only knew him with personal interactions and those very few times in person including the time one of our deported veterans, Enrique Salas USMC, had died in Tijuana and his body was returned to Reedley, CA.
Ed was there to make sure we saluted Salas as fellow brothers in arms. There were only about five or more veterans at this service, but many family members.
This is the amazing person Ed was. He was consistent, always there for others, for events or to support from what I’m learning.
I was informed by my friend María – through a post Gloria Hernández had posted – that he was in hospice, dying of cancer. This was mid-week. And I decided to take off Saturday morning on a bus ride to pay my respects to Ed, hoping to get to speak to him.
When I arrived, he was no longer speaking or eating but he was still able to move. I met so many people – young, old, different backgrounds and ethnicities – who had so many amazing things to say, his family also knew he was involved in social justice but hadn’t realized how many people he touched.
At one point a prayer was led by David Álvarez, a Yaqui elder and Vietnam veteran and Floyd Harris a pastor. And all these people I just described were surrounding Ed.
Black, Brown, young and old people including family and his roommate were so touched by the visits and learning about Ed, that he eventually even participated or turned down his TV as David said Native American prayers over him.
I was asked by David to also do a slow-hand salute while he was still alive to send him off and take part in a ceremony that involved a cleansing and prayers with drums and singing that to date has personally helped me spiritually and physically.
This is also Eduardo’s spirit that’s touching people’s lives. I met new friends as Ed’s compassion and friendship continues to work in our lives.
I learned through one of Ed’s sisters that at a very young age he quit college to make sure the family had money to get by.
He served in the Army during Vietnam. He served his country. He was against the war, but he loved to serve and continued to serve others like me.
Thank you Ed. Love you and thank you.
—Spc. B deported and repatriated 82nd Airborne Division veteran
