SERRANO STORY

THE BIRTH OF FRANCISCO SERRANO

The ancestors of the Serranos originally came from Spain. By the turn of the century, many spaniards migrated from their native land to settle on the island of Puerto Rico. many of these families moved to the little towns that were then, forming. Others settled in the hills of Adjuntas and Guaraguao, Ponce, where they would form little communities. They would live in spanish-styled homes leading a simple yet hard-working existence with their families.

It was in the outskirts of the village of Adjuntas that Mr. and Mrs. Jeronimo Serrano lived Jeronimo and Felicita lived in a small framed house They were two young happy souls who were well known as Don Jeron and Fita by the people that lived close by. Jeron was a head Farmer, working hard in the nearby fields as a Supervisor. Fita was the daughter of Francisco and Juana Pabon Her father had died when she was a little girl. Fita's Mother, Juana (Dona Lula) re-married to a man by the name of Jose Cruz. Don Chepo and Lula had fraternal twins by the names of Jose and Juan.

In the year 1917, Fita gave birth to their first baby boy. He was named Monserrate, later known as Tato. Three years late, Fita was at her mother's house awaiting the birth of their second child. They had gone to don Chepo's house because of a raging storm that threatened the village. Chepo had a large sturdy house that could withstand any tropical storm that was to come. As the rain poured down from the dark cloudy skies of Ponce, Don Jeron and the others anxiously awaited the baby that was now due at any minute.

It was a dark, stormy evening on December 17th in the year 1919. The people of Adjuntas were all in a state of panic due to the terrible weather they were having. They were also terrified at the alarming news of a comet that was going to crash in the vicinity. All of a sudden, what was recorded as a comet, streaked across the skies of Ponce. There were no reports of it having crashed toward any part of the island. The Town dwellers were terrified at the rare sight but their terror soon turned into joy when they heard the news that Dona Fita had just given birth to a baby boy. He was named Francisco Serrano, later known as Panchito!

THE RARE LYRICS OF TAPS

By SGT Joe Coronado

During the Civil War, one of the easiest ways for a soldier to remember and recognize the many bugle calls heard both in battle and throughout the duty day was through words or ditties that were set to the notes of the calls for this exact purpose. Following this common practice, soon after Taps was first sounded in July 1862 words were put with the music. Since Taps was initially simply a signal for "Lights Out" at the end of the soldier's day, the first words were,

"Go To Sleep, Go to Sleep."

As the years went on many more versions were created.

There are no official words to the music of Taps, but here are some of the more popular verses:

Day is done, gone the sun

,From the lake, from the hills,From the sky.

All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

Fades the light; And afar

Goeth day, And the stars Shineth bright,

Fare thee well; Day has gone,Night is on.

Thanks and praise, For our days,

'Neath the sun, Neath the stars,'Neath the sky,

As we go, This we know,God is nigh.

SGT JOE CORONADO SPEAKS OF HIS UNCLE

Hi Noel,Hoping that all is well with you and your family.I received the CD on the 4Th of this month but I couldn't pick up my mail at that time.I was very chocked up throughout the procession and it always touches me when the tap (I believe it was first sounded in 1862) is sounded, the 21 Gun Salute and the folding of the flag. According to the word of God, those that make their home in heaven such as Tio Panchito can not see what's going on in this world of ours nor thinking of us in human terms but he does remember a little of who he was before entering the gates of heaven and if it was possible for him to see the honor that is given to you by him and others in the CD, he would break down in tears and he would say to you, "I love you my son!" I told my wife's niece Sheila (18 years old) about your father and what king of father and person he was. It surprised me, even though she never seen or heard of your father, she broke down in tears!!! Incredible!!!I salute you for a job well done taking care of your dear father and the CD you made of Tio Panchito!!Both my wife Levi and Sheila stated that I look a little bit like you and Tio Panchito.May the Lord continue to walk with you and your family.In Jesus Precious Name,Junior & Levi

ETERNAL FATHER, STRONG TO SAVE

Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidst the might ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
O, hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in peril on the sea!
Christ, the Lord of hill and plain,
O'er which our traffic runs amain,
By mountain pass or valley low,
Wherever Lord our brethren go,
Protect them by Thy guarding hand
From every peril on the land!
O Spirit Whom the Father sent
To spread abroad the firmament,
O Wind of Heaven, by Thy might
Save all who dare the eagle's flight,
And keep them by Thy watchful care
From every peril in the air!
O Trinity of love and power!
Our brethren shield in danger's hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them whereso'er they go.
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee,
Glad praise from air, and land, and sea!

FRANCISCO RECEIVED WW WAR II VICTORY MEDAL

Francisco Serrano received the American Theater Service Medal, the WW II Victory Medal and four Overseas Service Bars. The World War II Victory Medal is For service in the US Armed Forces between 07 June 1943 and 31 Jan 1946.
Description: The bronze medal is 1 3/8 inches in width. On the front is a figure of Liberation standing full length with head turned to dexter looking to the dawn of a new day, right foot resting on a war god’s helmet with the hilt of a broken sword in the right hand and the broken blade in the left hand, the inscription "WORLD WAR II" placed immediately below the center. On the reverse are the inscriptions "FREEDOM FROM FEAR AND WANT" and "FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND RELIGION" separated by a palm branch, all within a circle composed of the words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1914 1945."
Ribbon: The ribbon is 1 3/8 inches wide and consists of the following stripes: 3/8 inch double rainbow in juxtaposition (blues, greens, yellows, reds (center), yellows greens and blues); 1/32 inch White 67101; center 9/16 inch Old Glory Red 67156; 1/32 inch White; and 3/8 inch double rainbow in juxtaposition. The rainbow on each side of the ribbon is a miniature of the pattern used in the WWI Victory Medal.