Highway to Holiness

Hermes Alonzo started his story in the small town of Bagac where he was born. Hermes was the last batch of the U.S. Navy recruited in the Philippines. He traveled for the first time in an airplane and arrived in San Diego to start his training in Navy boot camp. He served the Navy for more than four years and saw the world at an early part of the Vietnam War.

He finished his college education and received a bachelor’s degree from an American University. He was hired by the U.S. Customs Service and spent considerable time in Texas. After service in Chicago, he retired.

Hermes Alonzo spent time in a Catholic seminary in Baguio, a city in Philippines. He entered Maryheights Minor Seminary, a CICM, and later continued in Maryhurst Seminary. Although he did not become a missionary priest, he continued to be dedicated to his religious beliefs all through his life.

Hermes became a U.S. citizen while in the military. He served in the Navy and was honorably discharged. He then worked in the U.S. Customs and retired. He is the author of the book Hermes, which is about his life in the military and U.S. customs. His first book was published by Dorrance Publishing.

Hermes I. Alonzo is currently retired after more than 20 years of service in the government. He and his wife, Billie, were both in the military and have been married for over 50 years. Together they have four children, and two of them are currently working as a lawyer and a law enforcement officer in Texas. Hermes and his family are currently members of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Parish Church.