Memorial Day reminds us to remember service men and women who have given their lives to keep us free. Today I remember my cousin, Corporal Edward Quinones, United States Marine Corps who died June 3, 1968 in QuảNg Trị, Vietnam.

Do you have a memory that takes you back to a day you will never forget? I do. The first time I went to a packed funeral home, the first time I saw a person in a casket, the first time I saw a procession of military personal playing a powerful sound of a bugler playing “Taps”. The first time I heard women crying, or should I say wailing. This is the memory I have of my cousin, Corporal Edward Quinones.

When I started researching my Puerto Rico Ancestry I didn’t realize I would take so many emotional journeys. But as I tear up each and every time I hear “Taps”, I realize how much so many families and unsuspecting young men and women have given to make my freedoms, free. Today I will tell you what I know about my cousin, Eddie.

My sister, Melanie remembers the last visit cousin Eddie made to our home, in 1965. We were living in New York City. I’m assuming he was so excited to go to basic training and start his military career that he wanted to share his excitement with his family. I’m sure everyone was so proud of him and wished him well.

In the 1950 United States Census, in Ponce, Puerto Rico in the neighborhood of Vayas, I find my 2-year-old cousin, Eddie living with his grandparents, (my grandparents) Jose Marin and Natividad (Primitiva) Ramos, his aunt, Maria Teresa Marin Y Ramos (my mother) and his uncle, Hector M Marin Y Ramos. Why is Eddie living with his grandparents? I learned Eddie’s mother, Maria Elena Marin Y Ramos was living over an hour away with her fiancé, Rosendo Pizzaro Y Sanjurjo. They get married one week after the census was taken, May 6, 1950, in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico.

My latest close DNA cousin, Jeannine, shared photos of people she couldn’t identify because they had no names on the back. These photos quickly have become a treasure to me. Eddie, in the center was in this group of photos. Sharing a meal with a few cousins.

Posing in front of the  Jacob Wrey Mould Fountain, about 1959, Crotona New York, Eddie on the left with a yet to be identified boy.

I’m dating the next photo spring 1965 just before he leaves for basic training, with his aunt Gregoria Marin Y Ramos. I just love how she is looking at him. What dreams did she have for her nephew? I imagine she was sad to see him go, but proud.

The Marines have a website called: marines.togetherweserved.com, this is where I learned details about cousin Eddie’s military career.

2nd Recruit Training Battalion, 12 Aug 1965 – 7 Oct 1965, Boot Camp, Parris Island, SC.

M&S Co 1st Inf, 8 Oct 1965 – 20 Oct 1965.

1st Infantry Training Battalion, 20 Oct 1965 – 18 Nov 1965 – 6 Jan 1966, Camp Lejeune, NC. Marine Battalion, United States Naval Base Guantanamo, Cuba.

31 Jul 1966 – 27 Jan 1967, Guard. 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, NC, Rifleman.

14 Jul 1967 – 3 Jun 1968, Vietnam War/Counteroffensive Phase III Campaign.

Many persons and websites helped me piece together this story about my cousin Edward Quinones. I sent a note to Sel J. Wong. Mr. Wong works on finding photos of Vietnam Veterans. On January 19, 2023, for the first time, I saw Eddie’s boot camp photo from Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, Platoon 260. He earned the title “U.S. Marine” on October 7, 1965. I cried, and cried.

Edward Quinones, is just one of many who gave their lives for our country, on June 3, 1968 in Vietnam. Thank you for your service Corporal Edward Quinones, United States Marine Corps. We are very proud of you. I pray you are with your mom, Maria Elena Marin Y Ramos. May you Rest In Peace.

Hasta la vista, Until we meet again,

Lilly Resto Y Marin

Lilly Resto Gunderman