Macario: "Gone But Not Forgotten"

This is in memory of my uncle. This is taken from the La Familia Banda web site that is updated by a family member.

Today is Macario’s 59th Birthday. He was born on February 28, 1948. Macario graduated from Del Valle High School in 1965. He attended barber school after graduation. Macario was drafted into the Army in 1968. He received basic training at Fort Polk in Louisiana and was assigned to the United States Army, 11th Light Infantry Brigade. In August 1968, after only six weeks of basic training, Macario was sent into combat in the jungles of Vietnam. Macario was killed by a land mine in Quang Ngai, South Vietnam on February 11, 1969 while conducting reconnaissance. Macario was 20 years old, just 17 days short of his 21st birthday. At the time of his death, Macario was engaged to be married to Linda Cancino, Augustin's sister.

The following is an excerpt from a message sent to Macario at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial website from a fellow comrade from Bowdon, Georgia in 2000.

"In same squad.wounded same time. Gone But Not Forgotten. Banda, I have thought of you many times over the past thirty years and it all seems like yesterday. A lot has come and gone since that hot afternoon in Vietnam, but I will always remember you for your story of Bonnie @ Clyde in Texas. I was hit from the same mine that got you and most of our squad. You are a Hero and I'am proud to have known you. David Marino (MO)”

Angie and Gabe's School Days-February

2-23-07 Well, it's been over a month since I've updated this. So here ya go! Well, lets see, what has happened since last month? Well, first off, remember how back in November I mentioned that Gabriel was a Math Stars I student. Well, now he's a Math Marvels I student! He completely skipped Math Stars II! I couldn't believe it....the order is Math Stars I, Math Stars II, Math Marvels I, Math Marvels II, etc.... Also, he currently has 10-20 Accelerated Reader (AR) points...the way it works is you read a book, take a test on it and earn points, each book is worth different points.... Yesterday he got his report card. I had to call my in laws to tell him his grades. I couldn't believe my eyes! His grades are as follows: Overall Core Average-94, English Language Arts Average-92, Language Arts-92, Social Studies-91, Math-97, and Science-95. Yup, a 97 in Math! We are so proud of him! Angie hasn't gotten her report card yet, so once I receive it, I will update this!

Angie and Gabe's School Days-January

1/11/07-Well, it's been awhile since I've updated this, so here goes! Both Gabe and Angie got their report cards on Tuesday and they both had an awards ceremony today.

Gabe's awards: Perfect Attendance all semester, All A's Semester, Fight Free all semester, and Good Citizenship all semester.

Angie's awards: Fight Free all semester and Good Citizenship all semester.

Gabe brought his grades up and got all A's this time! WOOHOO!!! His grades for the 3rd 6 weeks are as follows: Overall Core Average-93, English Language Arts Average-95, Language Arts-95, Social Studies-94, Math-91, and Science-91. His overall semester averages are as follows: Overall Core Average-91, English Language Arts Average-93, Language Arts-93, Social Studies-90, Math-91, and Science-91. We are so proud of him! (If you would like to see his picture and his awards, take a look at my pictures blog.)

Angie is improving and learning a lot. She loves school. She doesn't receive grades yet, just checks and pluses. She's got a lot of them! We are so proud of her! (If you would like to see her picture, take a look at my pictures blog. I haven't received her awards yet. Once I do, I will post them.)

Angie and Gabe's School Days-November

11-27-06 Ok, so it has been awhile since I've updated this. Well, Gabe got his report card a couple of weeks ago. He didn't do as well as he did the first 6 weeks. Don't get me wrong, he did GREAT, but his grades went down. This time around his grades were as follows: His overall average is a 88. Here is the breakdown of his grades: Language Arts-89; Social Stuides-84; Math-88; Science-91. David and I are still proud of him! We told him that the work and tests were just gonna keep getting harder and harder and that he just needed to keep on studying. I'm not sure when Angie will be getting her next report card, but I am sure it is good! =)

11-1-06 So this morning I had to go talk to the office about something. On the wall by the office they have posters up that say Math Stars I, Math Stars II, Pfactsmasters, etc..... Well, under Math Stars I whose name did I see? Well Gabe of course! My baby is smart! Also, down the hall by the nurses office they have on the wall certificates with pictures on them. Above the certificates it says "Citizens of the Month" so who's do I look for and find? Angie's! My baby looked so cute in her pic! David and I are so proud of our kids!

Our Certificates

Angie's Certificates:
1st Nine Weeks:


Gabe's Certificates:
1st Six Weeks:

2nd Six Weeks:








Nikki's Certificates:
Module 3:

Module 4:

Module 5:

Gig 'em Aggies!

This year it's all about them AGGIES!!!
9-3, 5-3 (Big 12)

9/02	The Citadel	W 35-3
9/09	Louisiana-Lafayette	W 51-7
9/16	vs. Army AT&T Corps Classic	W 28-24
9/23	Louisiana Tech	W 45-14
9/30	Texas Tech (#24) *	L 27-31
10/07	@ Kansas *	W 21-18
10/14	Missouri (#19) * Aggies CAN	W 25-19
10/21	@ Oklahoma State *	W 34-33 (OT)
10/28	@ Baylor *	W 31-21
11/04	Oklahoma (#18) *	L 16-17
11/11	Nebraska (#25) * Maroon Out	L 27-28
11/24	@ Texas (#10)* State Farm Lone Star Showdown	W 12-7

Nikki's School Days

11-2-06 So far we have finished 2 of the 4 courses for this module. Both my final grades for that class were a 93 and a 96! This time around I won't get Honor Roll or Perfect Attendance. I had to leave early last Thursday cuz Angie and David were sick and I missed all of Tuesday cuz David and I took the kids trick or treating. We are about half way done with this module. Currently we are working on our resumes. After this mod, I will have 4 done and 2 left!

10-6-06 So I got an 83 on my mid-term last night! I felt this HUGE sigh of relief when I got my grade back. Also, my instructor said she recommended me for STUDENT OF THE MODULE!!!! WOOHOO!!!

10-5-06 HALF WAY DONE!!!! YEA! I am so glad. It seems like I have been going forever, but at the same time it flew by! My final grades were a 92, 89, and a 94. Just 1 point from being an A! AAGGHHH!!!!! Oh well, I still got Honor Roll. =) Tonight I have a mid-term. I'm not all that worried about it. I should already know this stuff, right? Anyway, my goal for module 6 is to get straight A's and perfect attendance. If I do it, then I will be get the Director's Honor Roll. So wish me luck!

9-7-06 So last night I got my Report Card. Yes, a Report Card! It was for the first 2 modules I have already completed. Well, my GPA is a 3.58! I was SOOOO excited! So far this module is going good. I am learning A LOT!!! After this module, which ends on the 2nd of October, I will be half way done with my classroom stuff. Anyway just wanted to share my happy news about my GPA.

8-15-06 Well, 2 modules down, 4 more to go! ...The last day for Module 4 was on Thursday, August 10th. I got back my final grades from my instructor last night. I got a 95, 89, and a 91....2 A's and 1 B! This time around I only got Honor Roll... I had to miss some of Thursday for Angie's kinder orientation.... But it's all good! I will try harder in Module 5!

7-25-06 Ok, so 1 module down, 5 more to go..... The last day of my very 1st module was on Monday, June 19th. Last night, our instructor gave us back our grades. Within that mod, mod 3, there were 3 courses. My final grades for those courses were a 90, 82, and 81. I was so relieved! I ended up getting perfect attendance and on the honor roll! It was a great feeling! Yea, I'm a nerd! And?