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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The life of an esteemed World War II veteran drew to |
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a close with the passing of Audon Sanchez Cardenas of San Antonio on |
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January 31, 2025, at the age of 105; and |
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WHEREAS, A first-generation American, Odón Cardenas was born |
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to Donaciano and Cecilia Cardenas in Devine on July 30, 1919, and he |
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grew up with six siblings, Damiana, Dionicio, Erasmo, Guadalupe, |
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Ernesto, and Sophia; and |
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WHEREAS, Answering his nation's call to duty, Mr. Cardenas |
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enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II; following his |
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promotions to staff sergeant and squad leader, he was deployed with |
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his battalion to the European Theater in 1944; he was captured by |
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German forces and held as a prisoner of war before being liberated |
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in the Battle of the Bulge; in recognition of the great resilience |
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and bravery he demonstrated during his service and captivity, he |
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was awarded the American Defense Service Medal and the |
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European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and on August 13, |
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2019, he was honored as the Veteran of the Day in VA News by the U.S. |
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Department of Veterans Affairs; after the war, he was a longtime |
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barber at Lackland Air Force Base, and he became certified in auto |
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mechanics; and |
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WHEREAS, Deeply dedicated to his family, his faith, and his |
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country, Odón Cardenas earned the lasting respect and admiration of |
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all who were privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Audon Sanchez |
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Cardenas and extend heartfelt condolences to the members of his |
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family: to his sister, Sophia Sauceda; to his children, Cecilia C. |
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Gutierrez, Rachel C. Luna, Arthur V. Cardenas and his wife, Lydia, |
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Raul V. Cardenas and his wife, Doris, Dolores Kotilaidze and her |
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husband, Demna, and MaryAnn Ayala and her husband, Daniel; to his 22 |
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grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and 11 |
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great-great-grandchildren; and to his many other relatives and |
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friends; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Odón |
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Cardenas. |