Tag Archives: veterans

We Must Remember Them: WWII Veteran Regina Bastida, 104, Reflects on Memory and Service

by Sancho de Beurko Association A centenarian World War II veteran reflects on memory, sacrifice, and the effort to build the National Basque WWII Veterans Memorial in Gardnerville, Nevada. At 104 years old, Regina “Reggie” Bastida is among the last living World War II veterans of Basque origin — and one of the few remaining voices of the […]

A Historic Announcement for the Basque American Community: February 13-14 in South San Francisco

by Sancho de Beurko Association On Friday, February 13, and Saturday, February 14, the Basque American community and guests will gather at the Basque Cultural Center of South San Francisco for a deeply meaningful occasion: the official announcement of the city and architectural design of the National Basque World War II Veterans Memorial.  These events take place within a very special […]

Fighting Basques: The Story of Major General Eugene Salet Irigaray: Faith, Courage, Patriotism, and Sacrifice

by Sancho de Beurko Association At barely 19 years old, Marie Irigaray Inchauspe arrived in the United States to start a new life. The year was 1904. She was accompanied by her older brother Jean who was 20 at the time. Years later, at least three more siblings—Marie, Jeanne, and Grace—joined them in pursuit of the “American […]

Fighting Basques; Agustín Guisasola, Basque Jai-Alai Player and World War II Veteran

by Sancho de Beurko Association In celebration of Basque Diaspora Day 2025, which on Monday, September 8 in Markina, Bizkaia, will recognize the contribution of pelota to the Diaspora, the authors of this blog publish the previously untold story of the jai-alai player from Eibar, Agustín Guisasola, a World War II veteran with the United States Army. […]

Traveling Through the Basque-American West: The Future Memorial to Basque World War II Veterans

by Sancho de Beurko Association Below we publish the chronicle of the latest trip of Dr. Pedro J. Oiarzabal – co-author of this blog and co-principal investigator of “Fighting Basques: Memory of World War II” – to the United States. His trip’s goals were two-fold: to disseminate the nearly-final results of the research, on the […]

Open Call for Finding a “Home” for the National Basque WWII Memorial

by Sancho de Beurko Association Would you like your Basque club or town to be the “home” of the National (U.S.) Basque WWII Veterans Memorial?  The North American Basque Organizations’ (N.A.B.O.) Basques in World War II Special Committee has opened a call for proposals among its member clubs to host the future memorial intended to permanently remember and […]