When Mexican-American veterans came back to Phoenix after serving in World War II, they were not welcomed with open arms for their service.
Former American Legion Post 41 Cmdr. Loui Olivas said many received a cold reception when they went into an American Legion post.
“Any time you’re joining a post, they can’t refuse you, but that does not mean they’re really going to accept you,” Olivas said in a video produced by the city of Phoenix. “These returning veteranos would go to these posts, sit at a bar that could be empty and they’d have to wait 15 minutes to get a beer.”
