AUSTIN, Texas— Today, Texas Land Commissioner and Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D., is proud to introduce the next installment of the series highlighting the VLB's Voices of Veterans oral history program. This week, we highlight the service of Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt) Rene Avendano who served in the Marine Corps.
A native of Pharr, Texas, Rene Avendano grew up in a “strong military family,” with an uncle and grandfather serving as Marines. Although he never met his grandfather, photos of his World War II Service inspired Avendano to follow in his footsteps.
In high school, Avendano participated in ROTC and, at just 17, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1987. He began basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, describing the experience as “intense” and reminiscent of the movie Full Metal Jacket. Many of his instructors were hardened Vietnam veterans, that "broke you down", but "wanted to mold you into a Marine." He then moved on to advanced training at Camp Pendleton, California.
Avendano joined the Charlie Company reserve unit in Arlington, Texas, and was called up in 1991 for Operation Desert Storm. However, the conflict's ground operations stood down before his deployment, allowing him to return home and pursue a degree in history.
In 1994, Avendano responded to a call for Spanish-speaking Marines needed at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base during Operation Sea Signal. Deployed for four months, he served as a translator in the base’s hospital, where he connected with immigrants seeking refuge. “They just wanted someone to talk to and tell their story to,” he said, recalling how the conversations reminded him of his grandparents. The experience was profound: “It was — wow — it was eye-opening. The suffering in their country, the poverty; it was ridiculous.”
Upon returning home, Avendano joined the McAllen Police Department, where his Marine training proved invaluable. For the next 20 years, when not deployed, he served as a dedicated police officer, demonstrating the same sense of duty and service he had in uniform.
Throughout his military career, Avendano continued to volunteer for assignments, including deployments during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2001 and Operation Enduring Freedom in 2003. He had many interesting and important roles, including translator, General Michael J. Aguilar’s driver, and kennel supervisor for bomb-detecting dogs amongst others. Whatever the role, wherever the conflict, he never failed to answer the call to serve his nation with strength and integrity.
After retiring from the Marine Corps in 2012, Avendano remained deeply connected to his fellow Marines. He “made it a point to always go to their kid’s birthday parties, to be a part of their lives.” He also serves as a Veterans Service Officer with VFW Post 10712 in Pharr, Texas, where he continues to support and advocate for fellow Veterans.
GySgt Rene Avendano truly personifies the Marine Corps motto Semper Fidelis, or "always faithful." His service, both in uniform and beyond, reflects a lifelong commitment to his country, his brothers-in-arms, and community.
To listen to Gunnery Sergeant Rene Avendano tell his story, click the button below:
RELATED: Voices of Veterans: HM3 Hunter "Doc" Hayes Shares His Story of Service in the U.S. Navy
Veterans can email VoicesofVeterans@glo.texas.gov to tell their stories. Please note that the Veteran must be a resident of Texas at the time of their interview.
Voices of Veterans is a state agency's first Veteran oral history program. It records the stories of Texas Veterans through their time in service and after returning home from combat.
The VLB records interviews with Veterans over the phone or in person. Their interviews are then permanently archived in the Office of Veterans Records at the GLO, where they join the historical documents of other Texas heroes such as Sam Houston, Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, and William Barret Travis.
Veterans' interviews are also available to researchers, historians, genealogists, and the public. These precious records inspire future generations and remind us of our Veterans' sacrifices.
To listen to the over 500 archived stories of Veterans documented through the GLO's Voices of Veterans oral history program, click the button below:
# # #
Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., brings a lifetime of experience to the Texas General Land Office (GLO). In 2016, she became the first Republican elected to the Texas State Senate from Travis County and the first woman to represent Texas Senate District 24. She made history again in 2022, winning a statewide election to become our state’s first female Land Commissioner.