Dead Soldier's Dad Finds No Enemy in Iraq

[Along the Red Ledge]

EXCERPT

But he needs to be checking these boxes. Like Suarez, their contents will be heading for Iraq, on a mission that memorialises his only son, Jesus, one of the first soldiers to die in the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

Sayne Suarez Del Solar mourns her husband, Jesus, who was a citizen of Mexico but a legal resident of the United States. He died in combat in Iraq. Their son Erik is 15 months old. (AP Photo/Todd Warshaw)
Jesus died Mar. 27, 2003, after stepping on an unexploded U.S. cluster bomb. An advocate for the poor in his native Mexico, his father, who departed Monday, has been an outspoken advocate and tireless campaigner against the war ever since.

"This trip is a very special one for me," Suarez tells IPS. He has been to Iraq before, last year, to visit the site where his son was killed. But this time is different.

"This year I am coming with something. I have something to give. Last time I came with my pain, my loss and my tears. This time I have medicine for the children of Iraq."

LINK
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/1230-01.htm

[Mythsaje]

1. Good for him...

That's damn decent of the guy and I applaud it whole-heartedly.

[redwitch]

2. That is truly an amazing story.

What a good man.

[deutsey]

3. Hey, as Rush said, people lose things

:sarcasm: :puke:

[Judi Lynn]

10. Rush lost his dignity a long time ago. n/t

[deutsey]

18. You mean he once had dignity? n/t

[pacalo]

4. He should join the Gold Star moms in Crawford -- & everywhere * goes

for an explanation about this war contrived on lies & deceit.

"You know," Suarez del Solar says thoughtfully, enunciating every word, "there are people who say I give aid and comfort to the enemy. I never spoke with Bush, he never sent me anything, but the people of Iraq I met, THEY comforted ME for my loss! I have yet to see the enemy."

[TheCentepedeShoes]

5. What a great story !

Here's hope that he and his much-needed supplies get through to those who need them. :patriot:

[ecoalex]

6. Many compelling stories within the story

The life of one who wishes to get ahead in a static economy opts to fight for the U.S., he dies.The wife relates to the Iraqis, they are poor too, and must place their lives in danger to make a way in this world.

She is touched by the Iraqis plight, and desires to help hands on, returning to help releve them of their pain, disease at least.

People of conscious are stepping up, and their courage and spirit shine brightly compared to the indifference , and callousness we see from bushco .

The human spirit is being awakened in America, the enemy of the corporates, and neo cons.

In trying times, the most unlikely people do extraordinary things.

The powers that be will always underestimate the power of human will.

[xchrom]

7. what an awesome man.

i don't know if i could ever have his courage.

[Maat]

8. We need to keep the spotlight on this gentleman.

He is SO courageous.

[FLSurfer]

9. This is kinda off the subject

but, Jesus died in Mar 2003? 29 months ago?
He and his wife have a 15 month old son, Eric?

Besides that I wish his family only good news, they certainly deserve it.

[stillcool]

13. if you read the article you will see.....

Published on Thursday, December 30, 2004

[Judi Lynn]

11. I remember when his son was killed. So damned sad.

He has come back strongly. God bless this man. From the article:

Suarez is part of a small band of military parents -- mostly mothers -- whose children have been killed since Washington led the invasion of Iraq in March 2003, and who are heading for the Jordan-Iraq border to hand off donated medicine and other medical supplies to doctors in the refugee camps along the border.

Suarez will be accompanied by members of three families who lost relatives in the Sep. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, as well as members of San Francisco-based human rights group Global Exchange and the Los Angeles-based peace group Code Pink, who are sponsoring the trip.

The half-million dollars in medical supplies and cash that they will deliver have been donated by humanitarian aid groups, doctors and other Americans around the country, who responded to Internet appeals. The donations are for children's hospitals, adds Suarez.
(snip)

Thanks, Along the Red Ledge.

[sintax]

12. nominated-Need More

This story needs to be circulated widely

On Edit; I just got in from holding banners out in the streets. A man was driving by and with a big thumbs up of support horn blaring stopped in traffic right in front of me and said "My cousin just got killed in Iraq, a day before he was scheduled to leave", he drove off. So damn sad.

[existentialist]

14. agreed

and I just made my first nomination to the greatest threads menu

[Hapameli]

15. An amazing, inspiring man who I had the privilege to meet &

will never forget.



Please see the website for the organization in memory of Jesus, which raises scholarship money to offer an alternative to military service to students who can't afford college -

http://www.guerreroazteca.org

[Along the Red Ledge]

16. Thank you for this link!

I will send what I can.

People like this gentleman and his family help me to not despair so greatly for the turn our nation has taken since 9/11. It is always good when people turn their grief into something positive and not into chest-thumping and blind hatred.

Mr. Suarez and Ms. Sheehan and those like them help me to believe that here is hope for the soul of this nation, yet.

[WhiteTara]

17. thanks for the post

and welcome to DU :hi:

[sintax]

19. kick

[blondeatlast]

20. Keep hope alive--and this man truly does.

What an incredible inspiration.

Wow; I'm just about beyond words. So beautiful.