Father continues discussion against war

The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) will hold their annual celebration of a wonderful community of people working for justice and peace. The celebration will be held on May 16th at 7pm at the West High School (951 Elati St., Denver) auditorium, and will feature a discussion by Fernando Suárez del Solar of the Guerrero Azteca Peace Project, entertainment and more.

Suárez del Solar will talk about his work to help young people understand the price of enlisting in the armed forces. On March 27, 2003, Fernando lost his son Jesús when he stepped on a US cluster bomb while fighting in Iraq. Since then, Fernando has been traveling around the country speaking out against the invasion and occupation of Iraq. In December he traveled to Iraq with Global Exchange and a group of military families to listen to the needs and desires of the Iraqi people, and returned home to meet with Congress, UN officials and the media to call for the withdrawal of US troops. Fernando is also an active member of Military Families Speak Out (www.mfso.org).

"My heart goes out to the soldiers, many of whom come from poor communities and joined the military as a way to get an education," said Fernando. "Then they find themselves sent off to a faraway land where they are exposed to death every day, with their families suffering back home—all for the whims and lies of President Bush. I support the troops, but I don't support the commander-in-chief who sent them into this unnecessary war."

Fernando has received criticism for his outspoken anti-war stance from all corners, from his in-laws to other immigrants who call him an "ingrate" to military families who support the war. But he refuses to be silenced. He set up a group to provide psychological counseling for Hispanic families who have loved ones serving in the military or have suffered the loss of a family member. He joined the organization Military Families Speak Out and makes powerful speeches at peace rallies.

But his greatest passion is working with young people, particularly Hispanic youth. He is deeply troubled by the military's heavy recruitment of Hispanic youth in low-income communities. He has created a foundation in his son's name to teach young people about the harsh reality of military service and to provide them with modest scholarships that will help ...