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CLICK HERE http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rio_Grande_Valley
Welcome to my web site! This site was created to show people another side of America not many people have seen; the Mexican American
migrant worker, (also known as Hispanic, Chicano, Latino, Mestizo or American of Mexican descent migrant worker) which
still exists six decades later. I grew up being a migrant worker. We were constantly moving, checking in and out of schools
five or more times a year. I worked side by side with Mexicans who enter the USA without proper documents. I also travel,
camped, and worked side by side with "Braceros" (men from Mexico) who were in the USA legally during
the "Bracero Program" in the 1940's to 1960's. Sharing stories like this can only help relations
between these two countries and cultures, Mexico and USA.
Last Ride on the Ferry, a fictional novel inspired by a true story. Published
by PublishAmerica on Aug 2, 2006. Most of the story takes place in Hidalgo County in South Texas on the Lower
Rio Grande Valley. This American family of Mexican descent (Mestizo, or now called Hispanic, Latino,
Chicano, or Mexican-Americans) became migrant workers in the 1940s. They had ancestors who
were displaced Mexicans when these same ancestors once occupied the land we now know as Texas. The Treaty
of Guadalupe Hidalgo of 1848 had changed history and as a result, the Ozuna family had kinfolk on both sides
of the border. Adventure,
hardships and amusing times unfold as the family becomes migrant workers. Traveling, living in camps, and working with Braceros
and undocumented immigrants, as well as changing schools five or more time a year were common for the kids.
After Severo Ozuna's life cycle ends, the family honors their father's request to have his remains returned to Mexico and
reunite with his umbilical cord. Seventy-one years ago, at the age of sixteen, he had swum the Rio Grande River illegally
to come to the USA
| book front cover |
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To Purchase this book CLICK HERE
Please see customer's review below
Number of reviews:
2 Average
Rating: Write your own review! >
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J. Wm. Harris, a retired Air Traffic Controller., 06/08/2007
'Riding the Ferry...' Growing
up in east central Indiana, some sixty years ago, I had little exposure to people of ethnic groups other than my own. Ms.
Reyna's book has given me an insight and appreciation of the problems and characteristics of the Hispanic culture in which
she grew up. The story of the love and strengths of her family is most rewarding ·
Brenda
Bland, an ultrarunner, 05/03/2007 Lovely family story. I read Last Ride on the Ferry over a weekend, and enjoyed the book immensely. Ms. Reyna
tells a prosaic tale of a family who stays bonded together despite many forces that would potentially destroy other families.
While there is a lot of history specific to the region in Texas and Mexico where Ms Reyna grew up, that only makes her story
more interesting. It is a piece of our American history we do not often hear about, that is both relevant and fascinating.
I especially loved the flow of the book, which felt like drifting down a river in the summer. Sit back and enjoy the ride,
the view is just fine
Customer
Reviews  |  An Overlooked Slice of Texas History, December 7, 2006
Angelica Reyna brings us on a journey through the border regions of Texas, providing a first-hand
look at life as an American-born Mestizo. The storyline moves quickly from one generation to the next, crossing the Rio Grande
and back again.
With an authentic narrative and countless details about Braceros, undocumented workers and border
patrols, Reyna shares her childhood struggles and puts a human face on today's migrant worker headlines. Spend an afternoon
with this one.
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| |  Last Ride on the Ferry , November 2, 2006
Ms. Reyna has written an interesting adventure and thoroughly researched perspective on the Mestizos.
I found her writing to be humorous, passionate and at times, touching. She has woven an interesting family story and done
so with honesty and joy. I would recommend her book to anyone who has an interest in a family story and would appreciate an
historical perspective on the Mexican culture. It is educational as well as entertaining.
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CLICK HERE TO SEE PRESS CLIP http://www.publishamerica.com/Press/reyna.htm
| Reyna children |
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| Their father's first truck, Angelica on first row on left |
| Reyna family's first year in Ohio |
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| Their father was very impressed with the size of the corn, although it was not fully developed. |
To see recent photos of these same children (above)
50 some years later please click on link ABOUT US on the left.
The Bracero photos were taken by Hilda Mayer in the 1940s Dr. Howard Rosenberg
acquired the "Snapshots in Farm Labor Tradition" from Hilda in the early 1990s; he copied them
into slides and then electroic form.The Braceros on this photo had been waiting 5 days and nights to be selected
to go into the "Bracero Program" (a USA and Mexican agreement made between the two countries in
the 1940s - 1960s. Four photos from his collection are featured inside Last Ride on the Ferry
| Photo taken in the "Bracero Program's" first year |
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| Line-up for x-ray |
| The contract is explained |
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Photo below was taken on the Los Ebanos Ferry on the Rio Grande in south
Texas. It is the only hand-pulled ferry in the world connecting two countries.
| Severo Reyna and daughter, Angelica |
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| photo taken 3 years before Severo died |
Photos above and below were taken three years before Severo Reyna's death
| Belinda-Dave Ryan and Severo Reyna |
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| Crossing the Rio Grande from Texas to Mexico |
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