Smithsonion Folklife series posts “My Father’s War: WWII through the Lens of a Latino American Soldier”

During Hispanic Heritage Month, Hispanic Lifestyle is profiling businesses, organizations and individuals who have inspiring stories when reaching out to the Latino Community. Here, Hispanic Lifestyle is highlighting the Smithsonian for their digital magazine story by Val Rios, wrote about his father, World War II vet and former San Bernardino resident Cruz Rios.

Folklife is the Smithsonian’s digital magazine, featuring articles about music, food, craft, and culture. During Hispanic Heritage Month, Folklife posted an essay that accompanies a series of rare photographs Cruz Rios took while serving in the war. During the war, Rios traded with a fellow soldier for a camera and three rolls of film, and the article proves a different perspective about the Latino American war experience.

Cruz Rios (left) and Gilbert Rodriguez (right) on a break at Camp Swift, Texas, 1944. Photo courtesy of Val Rios

To read the article and view a complete slideshow of the photos Rios took while serving in World War II, please click here.