Tony’s parents migrated from El Salvador to the United States in the 60s, leaving some family behind. His first trip back was in 1972 and he and his family would visit El Salvador regularly, staying for months at a time. Then civil war erupted and travel became too dangerous.

After the civil war ended, he was able to travel again regularly to El Salvador and maintained family roots. Tony joined the United States Army, and later worked for TACA Airlines (now Avianca) so was able to keep travelling regularly and had a 30 year long career in aviation management. He attended the inauguration of President Chico Flores Perez and saw the economy dive when the country transitioned to the dollar. His family suffered under the brutality of the gangs and gang wars. Tony’s wife’s family lived in one of the most gang-infested areas, Monte Blanco. Not ...