Laughlin AFB honors Hispanic business leader

October 17, 2006
By Alejandra Valdez
Special to LIVE!

Laughlin Air Force Base’s annual tribute to Hispanic people, their achievements, their culture and customs was highlighted by entrepreneur Richard A. Castro’s speech during the Hispanic Heritage luncheon on October 4th. The banquet got underway after Hispanic Heritage Committee President Joe Mejia read President George W. Bush’s proclamation of Hispanic Heritage Month, set for Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, 2006. Mejia then introduced guest speaker Castro, owner/operator of 27 McDonald’s restaurants in West Texas. Castro is the Hispanic owner/operator with the most McDonald’s franchises nation-wide.

Castro was instrumental in the creation of HACER (Hispanic American Commitment to Educational Resources) scholarship, financial assistance aimed at helping Hispanic high school graduates that are entering college. HACER is the effort of McDonald’s owner/operators, Ronald McDonald House Charities, and McDonald’s Corporation. HACER has awarded more than $14 million since its beginning 21 years ago.

Castro was received with applause from a community enthralled with the homecoming of a successful son.

Members of the Del Rio/ Laughlin community, from all ethnic backgrounds, gathered at Laughlin’s Club XL to pay homage to a culture and to one of its own. Castro, born and raised in Del Rio, was a teacher, a realtor, and at one time owned a construction company. Castro also served as city manager for the City of Del Rio from 1978 to 1980, before moving away to El Paso, Texas, to begin his own McDonald’s franchise. “Es un placer estar aqui con ustedes este dia,” greeted Castro, then translated with great ease, “It is a pleasure being here with you.” Castro began by sharing thoughts about his journey back to Del Rio, from El Paso.

“I have great memories of Laughlin Air Force Base,” said Castro, as he shared vivid memories of watching the aircraft fly overhead and going to Cody Wardlaw Gym (at the old Del Rio High School on Griner Street) to receive Christmas gifts from Laughlin families and personnel.

“What you and your personnel do for our country is very greatly appreciated,” Castro said to Laughlin’s 47th Flying Training Wing Commander Edward “Mike” Minahan, seated at the table before him.

Settling in, Castro began to unfold his story. “I decided I’d drive,” said Castro, explaining that driving to Del Rio meant listening to music and he had his CDs on hand.

“The Beatles came on. That was when I was in high school. The Beatles...driving to Del Rio...you talk about reminiscing... and the nice thing is some of the people that were here then are here now.”

Speaking in a slow, nostalgic tone, Castro took his guests back to a simpler time in Del Rio – to the years of his adolescence and to a time when many great friendships were formed. Castro paid tribute to those friendships by looking about the room and mentioning many of the guests by name as he shared special memories about that person and how they had now taken their place among the community leaders of Del Rio. They included classmates and friends Mayor Efrain Valdez, brothers Joe and Oscar San Miguel, Bobby Fernandez and Mike Fernandez.

Castro then said, “One of my professional mentors is here, Dr. (Alfredo) Gutierrez... 20 years as mayor. What a visionary... the number of issues he put in place – you left your mark in Del Rio.”

Then turning to Frank Mendoza, Castro smiled, “I have not forgotten you, Frank, ‘Mr. McDonald’s’ for this area... because I am ‘Mr. McDonald’s’ for west Texas. It was Frank that introduced me to the McDonald’s system. Frank, thank you.”

It was this mentorship that led to Castro being named the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s 2005 Hispanic Business Man of the Year, as well as being recipient of the Hispanic Magazine’s Entrepreneur Award for 2005.

“We are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and we have a room full of Hispanic triunfadores,” claimed Castro, believing that everyone present was triumphant because they had achieved success within their various fields of profession.

Speaking of the new business approach addressing the needs of the Hispanic population in the U.S., Castro said businesses now also aim advertising campaigns to Hispanics in English, instead of only Spanish.

“Spanish and English do co-exist in the Spanish world,” stressed Castro, adding that it is imperative that it be addressed, “Hispanics are Latinizing the United States, but also, they are Americanizing what it means to be a Hispanic in the United States.”

Castro explained that the spending power of third- and fourth-generation Hispanics, a population that tends to be English-dominant, will greatly affect our nation.

Referring to Hispanic pockets as the “new gold rush,” Castro said many major brands are directing millions of dollars at advertising aimed at the Hispanic population because “there’s gold in those Latino pockets.” According to Castro, the purchasing power of the Hispanic population is about $999 billion and that is growing by one billion dollars every week.

Castro said the volume of Hispanic purchasing power in this country is “comparable” to the GDP (gross domestic product) of Canada or Australia. “The American Hispanic purchasing power would be ranked 10th in the world,” said Castro, who added that, soon, one in four people in the United States will be Hispanic. Then Castro smiled as he concluded, “What that means is, if you do not have a Hispanic in your family now, you probably will.”

Closing, Castro said there is fun in mentioning famous Hispanic stars such as George Lopez, Eva Longoria, Jennifer Lopez, Antonio Banderas and Andy Garcia, “But more important to name are our local heroes- our daily heroes, or mothers, fathers, abuelitos (grandfathers) that instilled in us those ideals we still have today. Our success is based on how successful we are at applying this. It is an inner desire that one has to reach for extraordinary achievements and to reach without limits.”

Castro was stopped by applause from the audience before continuing, “If we want to be more, we need to produce more. Find ways to break down barriers and build bridges to unite us. We need to have pride in who we are. Stand tall to build a world with visions of fairness, compassion and responsibility,” said Castro, again encountering the applause of the attendees as Hispanic Heritage Committee president Joe Mejia stepped forward and presented Castro with a plaque in appreciation of his participation at this year’s celebration.

Minahan then stepped to the podium to fittingly honor Hispanic military veterans. “Just a few of the many contributions made to the service by Hispanics... 1.1 million Hispanic veterans have served our nation and of these 39 have received the Medal of Honor. Of those, two stand out. Former tanker pilot Elwood Casada, a retired Lt. General. Minahan stated Casada once flew six continuous days over Los Angeles to prove the concept of refueling was possible. Minahan stated this study of fueling aircraft was essential to “our Air Force.”

Minahan also named Capt. Manuel Fernandez, a pilot who downed 14.5 MiG-15 jet fighters, establishing his record as the number three flying ace in the Korean War.

“It is appropriate that we recognize their contributions,” closed Minahan before thanking Castro for sharing the highlights of the successes of the Hispanic community.