Mario Ybarra, Jr. is a genuine, kindhearted and easygoing person. He always strives to put a smile on people's faces. He is quite inquisitive as he believes every person has a unique story to tell.
He lives in the southern most tip of the United States. He is happily married to a very loving and supportive wife. Her name is Mary. They have two dogs. One is a Lab mix named "Sparky" and the other is an amusing Pomeranian who goes by "Puki." They also own two lovebirds. Oddly enough, they don't have a name.
Mario lost his father eight days before his first birthday. He never had the chance to know him. As a result of his father's tragic demise, he has grown up battling various mental health issues. Depression and anxiety are but a few of the symptoms he fights everyday. One of the ways he copes with his struggles is by writing. Hence, María Misses Her Hero.
Despite his mental health challenges, he still manages to advocate for what he believes in. Many people that know him will tell you that he is very passionate about veterans and their families. That's why this particular book is very important to him. Some of the author's major military-connected child advocacy accomplishments include~
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Spearheading and organizing local military-connected child celebration events.
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Initiating Texas legislation for K-12 military-connected students to recognize, support and celebrate them.
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Responsible for statewide implementation of the "Purple Star Campus" designation school program. This initiative recognizes Texas' public and charter schools that demonstrate exceptional support for military-connected students and their families. The law was created by the passage of Senate Bill 1557 (86th Texas Legislature) and codified in agency rule 19 TAC §61.1063, effective April 9, 2020.
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Produced an award-winning documentary entitled "Operation Tin Man." The "pull on heartstrings" film brings awareness to the unique emotional struggles of Gold Star families.
Currently, on a federal level, the author has been fighting Congress to pass the "Forgotten Patriots Mental Health Crisis Act." This legislative proposal was submitted by the author and if successful, it would provide all-inclusive mental health help to immediate members of Gold Star families.
Mario wrote María Misses Her Hero with the intention of delivering a sense of belonging and connectedness to military-connected children who, like he, experience their own form of sacrifice. Most importantly, to instill understanding, empathy and patriotism in the hearts of all who read it.