Nearly 98 years ago, two battalions of U.S. Marines became known as "devil dogs" to a frightened German enemy. But here in Texarkana, one Marine became a bulldog-like advocate for military veterans.
Military vets of all branches of services bid a heartfelt and sorrowful farewell to Arturo C. "Art" Candelaria, who passed away last week at a local hospice at age 87.
Candelaria, a 28-year Marine Corps veteran (serving in World War II, the Korean War and two tours in Vietnam), worked an additional 22 years in post-military life as a Miller County veteran service officer. Solidly dedicated to his job, Candelaria became a focused and prolific blessing to thousands of local and area veterans-by helping them get benefits they earned from the federal government.
"I came out of the service with some injuries and I had some trouble getting help from the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs," said John W. Williams, a local Air Force veteran. "I told Art, and Art got on the case right away. He went after the VA like a bulldog and he wouldn't let go until they got me what I needed. He was a great man. God bless him for all he did to help me."
Besides his work in veterans service, Candelaria also became a very active 40-year member of the Texarkana, Ark. -based American Legion Post 25-58. There, he served as post commander on nine separate occasions.
"I worked with Art while he was a veteran service officer for the county and I worked with him while he was post commander," said Ann Nicholas, a member of the post's women's auxiliary organization. "Art became so very important to so many veterans and their families. He was a great man who will be greatly missed."
Letha Musgrove, another American Legion Post Auxiliary member, agreed.
"Art was one of those patriots who cared so deeply about the country and about the American Legion," she said. "He was one of those very nicest of all people who will be terribly missed."
Patrick McReynolds, a local veteran and member of American Legion Post 25-58, said Candelaria left a tremendously good impression on many people.
"Art always impressed me as a man well grounded in his moral foundation," McReynolds said. "He was always wanting to do whatever he could to help you out. Art would often buy all the food for meetings and military events. He was one of the key reasons why the post remains open. He will always be basically known as Mr. American Legion."
Texarkana native Hayden Cole, a Marine and Korean War veteran, said he got to know Candelaria once he (Cole) returned home from overseas service.
"Art was very nice-just like his wife and he was a very active member of the American Legion," Cole said. "He did a lot of good for a lot of veterans and their families."
One of Candelaria's other American Legion activities included being a Department of Arkansas 12th District Legion Executive Committee member as well as being a founding member of the Texarkana Veterans Council-an organization for which he became its first president. The council would go on to buy vans to transport local veterans to the Overton-Brooks VA Medical Center in Shreveport, La.
When it came to honoring local and area public safety officers, Dan Nicholson, the post's current commander, said Candelaria developed his own personal project known as the "Guardian Angels" program. The program recognized state, county and local law enforcement officers of the year from both sides of Texarkana.
Nicholson also spoke of Candelaria's generous holiday spirit.
"For many years, Art also kept a food pantry for veterans at the American Legion office," Nicholson said. "He collected and provided both Christmas meals and presents for veterans' families."
Texarkana, Ark., resident and Marine veteran John Fooks recalls Candelaria's humor.
"Art Candelaria had a running joke with me that he mentioned at my retirement ceremony from the Texarkana Gazette in 2007," Fooks said. "Art recalled in a (television) interview (at that time) that he had sworn me in and inducted me into the United States Marine Corps in March of 1968. He then added that I had been mad at him ever since-but of course-nothing could be further from the truth: I have always been proud to be a Marine and proud to be Art's friend, both of which to me are high honors."