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In 1942 our country went to War. The Fifteen Zone Cavalry Regiment was sent to Vallarta from Ameca City . Although we were at risk and we had to be careful, it was also an unforgettable time for all of us.
The Regiment was large, and an extension had to be added to be added to the quarters located across from the lighthouse by the Malecón in the warehouse property of Don Agustin Flores. The offices and headquarters were located at the building where Las Margaritas restaurant is at present. Other soldiers stayed at the church quarter where Las ¨Peñas hospital used to be in the past.
My heart aches to remember those times! The Cavalry Regiment paraded the streets pf Vallarta every afternoon. We could hear the trotting of horses on the streets. The gallant cavalrymen looked so handsome on horseback. They wore uniforms with a military cap, boots to the knee and rode majestic horses with shiny manes. The soldiers practiced every afternoon before sunset. Sometimes, it was under a light drizzle that would slightly wet their faces and uniforms. Every afternoon they practiced at the Malecón across from the lighthouse. They would hoist the Mexican flag with the military band playing in the background. Many local girls and neighbors gathered on the Malecón to see the practices.
The troops caused a big stir-up among the local girls, specially the working class girls. They were fascinated with the soldiers' presence and their uniforms. Many of them eloped.
Among the soldiers in the Regiment there was in particular a lieutenant nicknamed El Pato mastered the Swing and Babalú se fue a la Guerra , which were fashionable dances. He became very popular with the girls. Many of our society girls loved dancing with him at the dances organized at Los Muertos beach.
There were also a lot of ongoing activities such as war drills, marching, and on duty practices that local young men had to attend. The places for the drills were strategically selected. Young soldiers took their role seriously, and would pretend to be would pretend to be wounded in action. The local girls participated enthusiastically in the these activities offering their voluntary services for first aid practices. Doctor Gonzalez, head of the trained them on CPR. Shown in picture below, Cecilia Sánchez, Concha Pulido, Chayo Covarrubias, Josefina López, Martha Peña, Lupe Chávez, Juanita Garibaldi, Rosa Guereña, Lupe Carrillo, Chinta Gómez, Chepina Cortés, Teresa Carrillo, Chayo Quintero, Conchita González and Dr. Gustavo González.
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