Luna-Parga Reunion 2026

In Memoriam of Grandpa Pedro “Pete” Luna: In search of a man’s existence

“Ni de aquí, ni de allá. Neither from here nor from there.”

Let me set the story straight. Grandpa Pete’s actual place of birth was Juan Eugenio in Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico. It still exists and is a human settlement in the middle of the desert, and adjacent to the railroad running through the mountains. He was not born in Peñon Blanco, Durango, Mexico, and his actual date of birth is different than his legal documents state in America. I went out in search of the truth, to make him whole and piece together the fragments of the diaspora. Special thanks to Uncle Pete and my Dad Leo for helping figure this out and providing direction on the memories they had of their father.

Juan Eugenio, Torreon, Mexico - https://youtu.be/U8RAX20-f4g?si=X5tlQi8rO157CXZv

Grandpa pete’s baptismal certificate

Retrieved from Parroquía de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe in Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico (May 2026)

Original baptism entry - 1907

This is when I found out Grandpa Pete’s claimed birthdate was incorrect.

Grandpa Pete’s immigration manifest, 1923

Entry into El Paso, Texas (America) from Mexico at 16 years old

Trip to Torreon, Coahuila Mexico Goal

After a three hour drive from Torreon to Saltillo (Capital of State of Coahuila), I retrieved the document that will allow me to finally start the process to have a birth certificate made for Grandpa Pete. It must go through a legal process in Mexico before a judge.