Author Archive for Chris Brooks

New Mexico Volunteers – Virgil Ivan McCasland

March 22, 2020
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New Mexico Volunteers – Virgil Ivan McCasland

                  The Albuquerque Museum hosted ALBA’s Shouts from the Wall: Posters and Photographs Brought Back from the Spanish Civil War from September 8, 1996 to October 27, 1996. Four biographical sketches were prepared to highlight volunteers from New Mexico. Virgil Ivan McCasland Passport address: Tucumcari,...
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Lister, People’s Soldier, Raised to Rank of Lieut.-Col. by New Government Decree – Unattributed

March 1, 2020
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Lister, People’s Soldier, Raised to Rank of Lieut.-Col. by New Government Decree – Unattributed

The Volunteer for Liberty January 13, 1938 Enrique Lister, commander of the famous division that bears his name, has been promoted from the rank of major to that of lieutenant-colonel. His elevation is the first to take place under the new decree of the Ministry of Defense, which changes the rule that men who...
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Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Passport Project

February 16, 2020
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Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Passport Project

On Monday March 2, 2020, we will request passport files for the last set of 26 volunteers in Phase One of the Freedom of Information Act Project. The project started in May 2018 with a request to Office of Legal Affairs and Law Enforcement Liaison, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Passport Services, United States Department...
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John Ramatowski Letters From Spain

February 1, 2020
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John Ramatowski Letters From Spain

Volunteer John Augustus Ramatowski was only 21-years old when he went missing in action during The Retreats in April 1938. Six of the numerous letters he wrote home were saved and passed down through the family. His letters were addressed to his older brother Adam and his family disclose his observations about France, Spain,...
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Pledge of the International Brigade Soldier – Unattributed

January 17, 2020
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Pledge of the International Brigade Soldier – Unattributed

The Volunteer for Liberty, January 13, 1938 (This pledge was taken by the 15th Brigade Training Camp soldiers on January 1, 1938.) We promise, on this New Year’s day, to renew our Pledge: With all our hearts, we shall fight until we win our Victory over fascism. We shall carry out our duties in...
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A Disturbing Trend in Recruitment

January 10, 2020
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A Disturbing Trend in Recruitment

  Most American volunteers demonstrated a high level of commitment during their voyage to Spain. While only a few turned back voluntarily, some were sent back.  Of those who were sent back, medical conditions were the most common reason, though some were sent back for political reasons.  Only three are known to have turned...
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American Volunteers by Unattributed

January 3, 2020
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American Volunteers by Unattributed

The Volunteer for Liberty, Vo. II, No. 2, January 13, 1938 The month of January is an especially significant month for Americans in Spain. It was on January 2, 1937 – a year ago – that the first large group of American volunteers set foot on Spanish soil. Reaching Albacete four days later they...
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Christmas at the Brigade by unattributed

December 27, 2019
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Christmas at the Brigade by unattributed

The Volunteer for Liberty, v. 2, no. 2, January 13, 1938 In case any of the folks at home paused in the middle of their Christmas dinners to have a few sober thoughts about the boys in Spain, they will be glad to know that the boys had a vey good time. The Brigade...
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Ricardo Diaz of the Mac-Paps by unattributed

December 20, 2019
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Ricardo Diaz of the Mac-Paps by unattributed

The Volunteer for Liberty, V. 2, Special 15, April 9, 1938, p. 2. When I asked Capt. Diaz to give me his life story, he smiled and said it was unimportant. This time Capt. Diaz was wrong. The lives of all anti-fascists are important in these decisive days, especially those who have proved themselves...
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One Spring Day by Hilliard Edgar Bernstein

December 13, 2019
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One Spring Day by Hilliard Edgar Bernstein

Pursuit of Reason, Philadelphia: Adelante Press, 1971, pp. 21-31 The early morning weather was fine, just fine; warm and sunny, with a very slight breeze from the South. I could smell Africa, over six hundred kilometers away and four thousand feet below me. The month was April. Blue swallows flitted greetings to Spring. I...
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