Amador Bolado Garcia Jnr
| Town/City | Lochsport, Victoria |
|---|---|
| First name | Amador Bolado |
| Last name | Garcia Jnr |
| Country of Origin | USA |
| Date of Birth | Jul-44 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 1972 |
| Submitted by | Amador Garcia Jnr |
Story
AMADOR BOLADO GARCIA Jr.
Amador Bolado Garcia Jr. was born in Corpus Christi Texas of Mexican/ American Indian ancestry in July 1944. At the age of 18 my parents and our family moved to California where I enlisted in the US Army and was sent to Vietnam in 1965 and served with the elite Paratrooper Unit of the 173rd Airborne Brigade (Sep). On coming home in May 1966, I married my sweetheart Ursula in October on 1966. This marriage brought our two children in Michelle Marie, and Amador Garcia 3rd.
We decided to immigrate to Australia in 1972 to take the opportunity for a new life for my family and myself. The journey was a one way ticket we paid for ourselves, no jobs to go to, but with the help and generosity of the Australian people, we got jobs and accommodation to start a new life in this wonderful country.
Impressions when we arrived in Australia was the friendliness, mateship and the ocherism which were very welcoming to us. Our greatest fulfillment and experience being Australians, were seeing our two children maturing into respectful and successful individuals and in giving us beautiful grandchildren who are the next generation of Australians. As we all became Australian citizens around 1974 and extremely proud of it.
One of our many events of importance was connecting with Anzac Day Celebration in 1987 marching with the Diggers while our friends and family stood among the crowds clapping and watching this wonderful event in Australian history. From that experience I am involved with my chapter or group of Vietnam Veterans from that era. We have our meetings and raise money for charities helping other Australians in need.
I thank my wife and family in having the trust in me for this great adventure and for all the dreams that have come true since arriving here.
What an honor for our family to have our name inscribed into this magnificent bridge forever. We are truly humbled for this honor bestowed on us from the Australian Government. We are grateful and we thank you for the opportunity.