Benjamin Lopez Apodaca (He was my father)



Benjamin L. Apodaca

     I am the daughter of Benjamin Lopez Apodaca. He was born on June 11, 1928 in Fierro, New Mexico, a small mining town. His parents were Benjamin and Francisca Apodaca.  My Grandfather moved his family to Pino Altos in 1934. At  the age of thirteen my dad worked for Mason Lumber company as a lumber jack located in Pinos Altos, behind the mountain of Signal Peak. At the age of fifteen he went to work as a miner. That didn't last to long because he was under age and was let go. He worked at the Hurly Smelter. Not sure what he did there. At the age of seventeen, he petition his parents for their permission to join the U.S. Navy. He enlisted into the Navy on August 31, 1945 and served in active duty until August 1946, whereupon he commenced his service in the reserves. He came back home in 1947 and worked for the Empire Zinc Company in Hanover, New Mexico.

 

     On October 24, 1950 he was conscripted into the U.S. Army 40th Infantry Division and served a tour of combat duty during the Korean War. My dad was a Sergeant, specializing in demolition. While clearing an enemy mine field, his fellow comrade in arms fell wounded.  He and another soldier risk their lives by carrying out their wounded friend, while in the midst of enemy fire. For his act of heroism, he was awarded the United States Bronze Metal. After he served in the Army he came to live in California and met my Mother Dolores. Together they had seven children and he helped raised seven step-children.  Though Dad was a man of modest means, he always provided a roof over our head, food on the table, and his love. He worked for Bethlehem Steel Company for 30 years until retirement. During his retirement years, he involved himself in genealogy. He amassed countless information on our family ancestral lineages.

 

    If a man can be measured by deeds, surely Dad is among those considered most generous.  He contributed thousands of hours of volunteer time to The Old Timer Steel Mill Retirement Association, where he was an advocate for aid to needy families.  He was never too busy to help his children and friends in time of need.

 

My Parents