Peter Griego Flores

Flores, his high school sweet heart for more than 72 years! He had five children, nine grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. Pete graduated from Bowie High School, Class of 1950. He was the

recipient of the Bowie Outstanding Alumnus in 2006. Their year book was named after him as “Outstanding Ex–Korean War Veteran, Award Winning Graphic Designer and Writer.” His pre–military experience as a Commercial Artist led to his military specialty as an Arial Photographer. In 1953, he served in the U. S. Air Force and flew with the 376 Bomb Wing, a unit of the 96 Air Force Group, during the Korean War. Pete was honorably discharged as a Staff Sargent on March 2, 1955.

Pete served as the President of the El Paso Korean War Veterans Association, The Chairman of Legacy of Valor, a veteran and family organization, member of the El Paso County Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and The American GI Forum. He contributed to founding and establishing these veteran organizations in El Paso. He assisted and participated in veteran observance events at The El Paso Flags Across

America, VFWs, and Ft. Bliss National Cemetery. Pete continued to serve his community and his country to keep the memory of all veterans in the public’s view in his hometown of El Paso, Texas.

Among his many recognitions Pete was bestowed the Ambassador for Peace,

proclamation in 2014 from the Republic of Korea. He was especially proud of his

work to have State Highway 54 in El Paso renamed “Korean War Veterans

Memorial Highway”.

Pete was the author of the following books:

• “On The Wings of An Angel – A World War II Story of Life, Death and

Resurrection”. A true story about the survivor of a B17 bomber that crashed

in France during the war. This book was translated in French.

• “Guardians of the Gate” - A story of the El Paso/Juarez Border - in honor of

the Border Patrol, El Paso, Texas.

• “And Then There Were Seven”, The story about Bowie High School Bears

who won the 1949 Texas State Baseball Championship.

• “Harness the Mule” and “River of Hope” historical stories about life on the

US-Mexico border.

Pete was also an accomplished pen and ink artist. He produced award-winning

original works of art portraying the southwest, arroyos, and people. Many of his

pieces hang in homes, businesses, and institutions across the nation, including the

El Paso International Airport.

Pete used to quote Joseph Addison, an English poet: “He who would pass his

declining years with honor and comfort, should, when young, consider that he may

one day become old, and remember when he is old that he has once been young."