Dances were held in whatever halls or gyms they could find — Judge Memorial gym, Carpenter's Hall and later the Hotel Newhouse, the Terrace and Lagoon. Money was raised by selling tamales, frijoles and chile verde, and much of it cooked by Mrs. Manzano, who also acted as ticket taker, treasurer and cleanup lady. The Diez y Seis de Septiembre (Mexican Independence Day) and el Cinco de Mayo (major battle victory) were must events to celebrate. I recall as a child being hauled out to those celebrations and falling asleep waiting for El Grito, "Viva Mexico, Viva La Revolucion," and the ringing of the bell, usually done by the Mexican consul. Saturday dances were also held at "el tonel" (the tunnel) that was the hallway of some building on 200 South between 500 and 600 West. I remember that there were folding chairs lined up against each side of the hall with one line of dancers going around in a circle. Parents sat on the sidelines to make sure there was no hanky-panky. Mexican queen contests and dances were always good fundraisers.

In 1939, with the help of the Catholic sisters at the old Guadalupe Mission, Simeon and Manuel drafted papers establishing the Centro Civico Mexicano. The first site of Centro was located on a vacant plot of land somewhere west of Redwood Road in Salt Lake City. The first building, which later burned down, was named Luz Azul. The Mexican community soon started raising funds to rebuild the Centro where it is now located at 155 S. 600 West.

Today, many of us Mexican-Americans born and raised in Salt Lake were inspired by our parents, whom we saw build their lives around "Centro." They were people who worked hard with the attitude "que no pedimos limosna" (we don't ask for charity). They helped build the city and taught their children to be proud of their heritage and proud to be an American. We were always told to work hard, get an education and learn English. Most Mexican parents, just as mine did, told us to be proud of who we are and remember we came in to this world with nothing and leave with nothing; the most important thing is what we have done to make it better. Many took their advice and became an integral part of our community, fought in wars for our country and worked to improve our world, starting with the west side and extending to our nation's capital. But we never forgot our roots.

All of us have that touchstone that reminds us who we are.

A Utah native, John Florez has founded several Hispanic civil-rights organizations; been on the staff of Sen. Orrin Hatch, served on more than 45 state, local and volunteer boards; and filled White House appointments, including deputy assistant secretary of labor and as a member of the commission on Hispanic education. E-mail: jdflorez@comcast.net.