Not my war Korean War vet reflects on his duty to America

Korean War vet reflects on his duty to America By Billy Armendariz Headlight Staff When Edgar Villareal came to the United States as a 14-year-old boy from a mountainous region of Mexico, he never thought that he would one day fight for a country that wasn’t his — or become an American citizen following that war. Such was the case, however, and Edgar said he has no regrets fighting for American freedom as a Mexican national at the time. “I worked at a bakery here in Deming when I was 14,” Edgar said as he nestled into his favorite living room chair. The 95-year-old veteran of the Korean War has a sharp mind and speaks two languages, but dates are a little foggy these days. “I remember my stepfather telling me to sign up for war,” Edgar told the Headlight. “I didn’t know what the Marines were, but I liked their [emblem].” Before he knew it, he was off to San Diego for training as a United States Marine. He was 19. Once in Korea, the reality of war hit hard.

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