The Men from Hero Street

Guadalupe "Sonny" Soliz, a Korean War veteran, visits with Fort Scott Christian Heights students about the Hero Street Soldiers. Soliz is the designer of a monument built in honor of the more than 100 men and women from Hero Street USA in Silvis, Ill. who have served in the U.S. armed forces and the eight men who perished in the fight. (Rayma Silvers/Tribune photo) [Click to enlarge]

Guadalupe "Sonny" Soliz and his brother Tony Soliz, two Korean War veterans, recently shared stories about hardships and bravery with the students at Fort Scott Christian Heights.

"It is an honor to be here with you to tell a true story about a place called Hero Street," Sonny said to the group of students at FSCH on Wednesday, March 11.

Through a slide show presentation, Sonny, a retired school teacher, showed the FSCH students 12 watercolor paintings he completed while he was in college. He used the paintings to explain the horrifying details of war and the history of the Mexican decedents who lived on Hero Street USA.

FSCH student Ashley Goodwin said she really enjoyed the watercolor presentation.

"The meanings behind the paintings done by Sonny were amazing," Goodwin said.

Hero Street USA, formerly called Second Street, is located in the Soliz brothers' hometown of Silvis, Ill., Sonny explained in a written document.

"The true story of Hero Street USA portrays the people who lived there," Sonny said. "Hero Street USA is located on the northwest corner in the city limits of Silvis, Ill. The long narrow street is one and one half blocks long with thirty-one homes on either side; either on the hill side or the flat side with a winding creek in their backyards."

Even though the residents of Hero Street were not treated equally and were often made fun of they were more than willing to fight for their country, Sonny said. From World War II to the present time, more than 100 residents of Hero St. have put their lives on the line serving in the U.S. armed forces. During World War II, six of the men from Hero Street lost their lives, and two more men perished during the Korean War, according to Sonny. In the 1960s, Second Street was renamed in honor of the many soldiers who resided there, according to the Hero Street USA Web site, www.herostreetusa.org.

"Because of the contributions of these young Americans the street was renamed Hero Street USA in May 1967 by former Mayor of Silvis, William Tatmen," the Web site said.

Both Sonny and Tony are members of Hero Street Monument Committee. According to the Web site, Sonny designed a nearly 18-foot-tall monument, made of thousands of pounds of granite, bronze and concrete. The monument built in honor of the Hero Street Soldiers features the names of the men and women from Hero Street who served in the military. In addition, the monument displays honorary plaques and biographies of the eight soldiers from Hero Street who were killed in action. One of these fallen men is Claro Soliz, an uncle to Sonny and Tony. The monument was dedicated on Oct. 6, 2007, according to the Web site.

FSCH student Allie Reeves said she is glad the Hero Street Soldiers will be remembered because of the monument.

"What impressed me," Reeves said, "was that they carried on the legend of the Hero Street Soldiers; they didn't let it die down. It was a good idea to build the monument to remember the soldiers."

The sacrifice of the first people who lived on Hero Street has helped bring equality to the lives of those who have followed them into this world, according to Sonny.

"Today, Mexican-Americans of first, second and third generations from Hero Street have graduated from colleges and universities of higher learning, earning degrees of BAs, MAs and PhDs and many fields of study; placing them in prominent jobs of opportunity not imagined by their fathers, mothers and grandparents," Sonny said. "These generations have placed scientists, teachers, engineers, machinists, clergy, nurses, barbers, businessmen, athletics and homemakers. There is truth in saying, 'No one group of people, race, color or creed have a monopoly on human attributes, yet ... the underprivileged will excel.'"

Learning about the Hero Street residents' fight for civil rights was the highlight of the presentation for FSCH students Ashleigh Page and Melissa Wray.

"It was interesting to hear how their (Hero Street Soldiers) patriotism helped them gain civil rights," Page said.

Wray said, "It was really cool. I would like to hear them talk more about civil rights and Mexican-Americans because they have a lot to say. I enjoyed it."

Along with the watercolor paintings, Sonny and Tony also brought Hero Street Soldier memorabilia to share with the students, according to FSCH student Jared Bahr.

"The World War II rifle was really cool to see," Bahr said.

Because of their first place District History Day documentary about the Hero Street Soldiers, the visit from the Soliz brothers was extra special for FSCH students Ashleigh Page, Ashley Goodwin and Jake Stevenson. The group of students will be competing at the Kansas State History Day competition on April 25.