Twelve months, four days, 16 hours, and 28 seconds. Wilfredo Castaño counted down the time he spent in Vietnam until he returned home to the U.S., the day he regards as the happiest day of his life.
It has been four decades since Castaño’s return from the Vietnam War. Castaño, a Marine Corp veteran, is now a photography instructor at De Anza College.
“For many years I have blocked it out, but lately it’s starting to come back to me,” Castaño said.
He remembers the few happy memories he shared bonding with other soldiers and making friendships.
Castaño developed the love of photography in Vietnam. He bought a camera before he deployed overseas and took pictures of himself, soldiers and the daily scenery. Many of the photos he still keeps.
“It meant more to me at that time than just a hobby,” he said.
Cpl. Castaño’s transition into civilian life was a traumatic experience. He landed at the Tucson, Ariz. airport with all his belongings stuffed in a military issued green bag. While he was waiting at the airport, he watched a family escort an Army Green Beret in a wheelchair.
“He was missing limbs and half his face,” Castaño said. “Seeing that makes you grateful for all that you have, even if it’s not much.”
Castaño left Tucson and traveled to California to follow his passion for photography at the San Francisco Art Institute. He used the GI bill to earn a master’s degree in English and a B.F.A in art.
He worked graveyard shifts at night, and hacked as a photographer during the day.
He remembers the first photo he took while he was still a student.
“The Union Hotel was on fire, and there was smoke coming out of the window,” Castaño said. “I jumped off the bus and tried to go inside, but the firemen threw me out.”
Castaño took the shot, and ran three blocks to the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper building. They published his photo.
“They gave me a roll of film, and $35,” Castaño said.  “I rolled lucky 7’s that day.”
Castaño has been teaching photography at De Anza since fall 1988.
Castaño believes that the De Anza Veteran Services is beneficial to student veterans trying to adjust back to civilian life.
“Guys coming back often walk into a void or a vacuum,” he said. “The support and help De Anza gives them lets them know they are not alone.”