Fernando Nandin Sr. is more than just an impressive American success story; he's an inspiration and a wonderful example to anyone who believes that circumstances have made life hopeless, and he's a "good neighbor" who goes far above and beyond the call of duty to help those less "fortunate" than himself.

Fernando grew up in Brady's "Mexican Colony," an isolated rural neighborhood just north of the railroad tracks on the west side of Brady. Separated from neighborhoods to the east by Live Oak Creek, the Mexican colony was built on land purchased from a developer named F.R. Wulff. Mexico had been in turmoil for almost 20 years, and many who had fought in the losing factions during the Mexican Revolution came to Texas around the time that the National Revolutionary Party consolidated power in 1929. Wulff sold lots on streets named Uno, Dos, Junio, Julio, Agosto and Septiembre, and donated a one-acre lot in the middle for a "Plaza." Most of the residents already had American citizenship through the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Fernando's grandfather was one of the early "refugees" (he had served with Pancho Villa) and Fernando's mother grew up in the Mexican Colony.

For the first few decades, the neighborhood flourished. Although the houses were small, neighbors helped each other, and life was good. Residents enjoyed their plaza, and after World War II, they joined together to build a pavilion for community events such as weddings and celebration of holidays.

In 1955, the Mexican Colony was struck by a devastating tornado. Many of the homes were destroyed, and the roof was ripped off the pavilion. For many, that disaster was a signal to look for greener pastures elsewhere. Most of those who remained did not have the ability or the inclination to rebuild their neighborhood; debris littered the Mexican Colony for decades, and the quality of life deteriorated sharply for the people who remained.

Fernando Nandin was four years old ...

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