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This is a letter posted at MFSO written by the father of a soldier who died in Iraq. I did not have the heart to just post snippets here so the following is the entire text. No copyright as far as I can tell.It is on the home page, scroll down to "Families Speaking Out"
Open letter:
12/31/03 09:04:51 p.m
Another year ends today, a year full of important events in the lives of the American people and especially many Latino families like mine. Exactly one year ago my entire family was gathered together, ready to enjoy a meal prepared by my wife and daughters. My son, Jesus, was so happy with his wife and their son Erick. Everyone sat around the table and we counted the 12 tollings of the bell and ate the traditional 12 grapes, hoping that the new year 2003 would be full of joy, peace, love, and prosperity for all. We embraced and wished each other much happiness for 2003. I recall that my daughter Olivia told me, "Dad, you will have many opportunities this year," and Jesus told me "Father, Thank you for educating me. I am a Marine now and I hope to do well so that you will be proud of me." I answered him that I was already proud of him, that I had always been proud, and that I hoped he would achieve his goals together with his wife and son. And so that terrible year began with much hope for the entire family, for the American people, and especially for all Californians. And February arrived with its rumors of war and with the stubborness and inflexibility of Mr Bush who insisted on attacking Iraq. The UN could not use its authority nor the rule of law to stop him and so the world waited with fear as Bush declared that according to intelligence the regime in Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction. On the fifth of February, Jesus bid us farewell and headed towards his destiny in the faraway lands of Iraq. As he said goodbye we embraced alone outside in the driveway of our home. It was diffcult for me to hold back my tears but he was optimistic and with great clarity he told me, "Father, do not fear, nothing will happen to me, we are well trained and well prepared. But if something does happen please take care of my son and educate him as you did me." He climbed in the car with his wife and son at 9 p.m.
March arrived, the nineteenth to be exact, when American troops began their offensive against Iraq. The war begain without the support of the UN, without the support of the American people, without the support of the world community--a war started by Mr Bush who lied to the American people and to the world community. Mr Bush insisted that Iraq was a threat to the US and the whole world and unfortunately many believed him and so the deaths began. And on March 27 a young Mexican boy fell, full of hopes and dreams, deceived by the government, a good boy who had more important work ahead, a son to love, raise and educate. Yes, Jesus Alberto Suarez del Solar Navarro, the Aztec Warrior, died because of the negligience of the US military command in Iraq. A US cluster bomb had been dropped the night before but Delta Comapany was not advised and so the tragedy took place and two hours passed before helicopters could evacuate him. He did not die alone but rather he died with his friends, his brothers, and their love surrounding him. He died free of hate and in peace.
April 11 arrived--the day the Aztec Warrior was sowed, yes sowed because he is a seed for peace for future generations. We all wept because of his loss and his absence but his mother, my wife, suffers the most, she who bore him, took care of him when he was ill, who taught him to respect me and to love me. She is the one who has suffered the most.
And the rest of 2003 passed by and many more brave American youth have died and with them their dreams until we have almost reached 500 dead American troops and thousands and thousands of innocent Iraqis.
And December 4 arrived, my grandson's birthday, and I found myself in the exact place where my Aztec Warrior fell. And I placed a crucifix, said a prayer, and gathered the earth where his blood ran. I fulfilled my promise to my wife that I would find that sacred spot, and during my time in Iraq I could see and witness that my son was right to say that the children of Iraq were the ones who really needed our help. And I could witness as I visited the hospitals and shortages of medicine the lack of economic assistance provided by the Bush administration. And in the schools I could see that the children are eager to learn but do not have what they need to get ahead and the Bush administration offers them nothing. I could feel it in the streets of Baghdad where shoeless children whose parents died in the war offered me a smile in exchange for a friendly word, a kiss in exchange for letters from American children. In short, I could see that the liberation of the Iraqi people has cost them a great deal and it has cost the US as well.
And December 14 arrived, the day the dictator and murderer Sadaam Hussein was captured. And Mr Bush tells us that at last we have him, that peace has arrived for the Iraqi people, but in the ensuing days the deaths of young Americans increase and Mr Bush continues to lie to us, continues violating international law, claiming that Sadaam will be treated as a prisoner of war and tried under international law only to tell us days later that the Iraqi people must try and sentence him. What about international law? Why does Bush fear an international tribunal?
And so we arrive to the present, the 31st of December, the end of this terrible and unhappy year 2003 and what do we find? That everywhere, in every city and in every family, there is joy, optimism, and the usual New Year's Eve custom of conveying our best wishes. This is why I have taken the liberty to write this letter in order to tell you that it is imperative that in this coming year of 2004 we be cautious and very focused in our actions, for this is the beginning of a presidential election year in this great nation. And we must do everything in our power to make sure that Mr Bush is not reelected and to ensure that he does not steal the election. I invite everyone to reflect on recent events that have cost so many lives, jobs, broken families, economic ruin, and do all we can to defeat Bush, a defeat that is in the best interest of the American people and world peace.
The hope of my entire family is that God will grant you the health and strength to continue this struggle.
In peace.
P.S. I wish to thank all those who have offered their support, friendship, and warmth. I cannot name everyone and do not want to forget anyone. But you know who you are.
I would also like to thank the representatives of the media who have covered my activities in the service of peace.
POR UNA GENERACION LLENA DE PAZ Y AMOR!!
EL GUERRERO AZTECA
May God Bless all of you.
Sincerely:
Fernando Suarez del Solar
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