The following can be found at the Cibola Historic Society, 525 W. High Street, Grants. The language reflects the emotions and feelings of survivors and their families.
ELIAS SAAVEDRA as told by his son, ALFRED SAAVEDRA: “My father, Elias Saavedra, was a humble man born to Alfredo and Manuelita (Mata) Saavedra. He was raised and died in San Rafael, New Mexico. Elias was third born of eight siblings, two older sisters, four younger brothers and two younger sisters. Elias worked in the sheep industry ‘til he was drafted to the army in 1941. In the Philippines as a POW, they were industry as the BATTLING BASTARDS ‘til they were ordered to surrender to the inhumane Japs. Elias survived the Bataan Death March in the inhumane POW camps.”
Elias married Rosa Gallegos in 1947 and had three sons. Elias was a small businessman and gardener. Elias was liked by everyone that knew him. Elias passed away June 6, 2014. He was 96 years old.