Profile of a
Museum Volunteer
Juan
Trevino
Juan was born to Julian and Martina
Trevino in Wesloco, Texas September 25, 1948. The family moved to Fresno in 1950 where
Juan attended local schools. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in
1968. Twelve days after graduation,
Juan joined the U.S. Army. His basic
training was at Fort Ord, California where he also
attended A.I.T. training.
Upon completion of his training Juan was
ordered to Frankfurt, Germany to Co A, 317 Engineers Battalion, where he
built bridges over the Main and Rhine Rivers.
After a year in Germany, he was ordered to Vietnam, but was delayed as
his younger brother was already serving there. Juan was returned to Fort Ord, California to await further orders. In June 1970 orders again came through for
Vietnam and he became part of Company A, 5th Transportation Battalion, 101st
Airborne Division. While there, his
unit picked up infantrymen and flew them to the fields. Juan was honorably discharged in June 1971
as a Specialist 5.
As
a civilian, Juan attended Fresno City College and became a mechanic. He
worked as such until 1993 when he lost his eyesight as a result of diabetes
developed from exposure to Agent Orange.
Juan
met his future wife Bernice at the Baptist Church in Fresno. They were wed August 25, 1979 in Fowler,
California. Juan and Bernice have one
daughter, Anna Marie and two grandchildren, Desiree and Gabriel.
In September of 1993 Juan and his younger
brother visited the Legion of Valor Museum and were amazed at the displays
that represented the various wars.
They both became volunteers shortly thereafter. Juan enjoys helping create displays and
serves as a docent.
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