05:53 am - Landing zone (7 minutes early on schedule): The soldiers get off the helicopters.
06:03 am - Landing zone: Soldiers take positions. It’s too quiet. It doesn’t look good.
06:11 am - Landing zone: Still quiet. Something should be done.
06:14 am - Landing zone: Captain orders a move. Soldiers march carefully. It’s complete silence. Even the slightest heavy inner-breath is heard.
06:16 am - 300 feet to landing zone: Complete chaos. Bullets flying in and out. Soldiers running in all directions. Soldiers laying down. Some shot dead. Some wounded. Others praying.
06:24 am - All around: More soldiers laying down. Mothers, wives and children are remembered.
06:41 am - 200 feet to landing zone: Fire stops. Captain orders regrouping. Just a few soldiers show up. Casualties are heavy.
…
Yes. God created wars. And for that he created guns and bombs. Enemies and allies. People die and others survive. But how do they survive? Wounded. No solider makes it home unharmed.
We live in a world of violence where prides are prioritized for the sake of interests. Wins and losses arise but sadness prevails. Countries achieve but families lose. Mothers lose sons. Wives lose husbands and children lose fathers.
We are never in a position to realize that we are our enemies’ enemies. Do we realize that our enemies have some of their own? Do we realize that tears are dropped on the other end as much as tears are dropped on ours?
Until this day, prayers have not prevented wars. Have not ended killings. We have seen wars and never stopped seeing them.
Prayers should be used to forgive the people who order them. The world is a lesser place without the soldiers who dye everyday in the battle fields. Presidents claim sending peace by sending soldiers. Instead peace should be sent and taught to those presidents.
…
The captain died later during that battle. A hundred seventy one other brave soldiers died that day.
06:13 pm - Years later. Somewhere in this world: The soldiers are remembered.
Respect and affection.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Friday, July 13, 2007
Somewhere in Bolivia, 1966
My dearest Aliusha, Camilo, Celita and Tatico,
I write to you from far away and in great haste, which means I can’t tell you about my latest adventures. It’s a pity, because I’ve met some very interesting friends through Pepe Caiman. Another time …
Right now I want to tell you that I love you all very much and I remember you always, along with mama, although the younger ones I almost only know through photos, as they were very tiny when I left. In a minute I’m going to get a photo taken so that you know how I look these days – a little bit older and uglier.
This letter should arrive about the time Aliusha has her sixth birthday, so may it serve to congratulate her and hope that she has a happy birthday.
Aliusha, you should study hard and help your mother in everything you can. Remember, you are the oldest.
Camilo, you should swear less as in school you shouldn’t speak like that and you have to learn what is appropriate. Celita, help your grandmother around the house as much as you can and continue being as sweet as when we said goodbye – do you remember? How could you not. Tatico, you should grow and become a man so that later we’ll see what you make of yourself. If imperialism still exists, we’ll set out to fight it. If it is finished, you, Camilo and I will take a vacation on the moon.
Give a kiss from me to your grandparents, to Miriam and her baby, to Estela and Carmita, and here’s an elephant-sized kiss from …
Papa
Unfortunately, he never had this vacation on the moon. And imperialism still exists.
Why? Probably because he was taken away so early and not too many men like him came around.
Ernesto "Che" Guevara died on the eve of a crucial year in the second half of the twentieth century, 1968, when for the first time everything seemed possible, and for the first time the youth of a large slice of the world engaged in short-lived but far-reaching revolts that "Che", more than anyone else, would come to personify.
"Che" Guevara’s death gave meaning to his life. Without his execution at the hands of Lieutenant Mario Teran in the dark and damp schoolroom at La Higuera, he would still have achieved epic feats and lived a glorious life, but his face would not appear on millions of T-shirts decades later.
He never asked for it. All he wanted was freedom and equality.
Was it too much to ask for?
I guess back then it was too much. And today it’s even more.
Revolutionary greeting.
I write to you from far away and in great haste, which means I can’t tell you about my latest adventures. It’s a pity, because I’ve met some very interesting friends through Pepe Caiman. Another time …
Right now I want to tell you that I love you all very much and I remember you always, along with mama, although the younger ones I almost only know through photos, as they were very tiny when I left. In a minute I’m going to get a photo taken so that you know how I look these days – a little bit older and uglier.
This letter should arrive about the time Aliusha has her sixth birthday, so may it serve to congratulate her and hope that she has a happy birthday.
Aliusha, you should study hard and help your mother in everything you can. Remember, you are the oldest.
Camilo, you should swear less as in school you shouldn’t speak like that and you have to learn what is appropriate. Celita, help your grandmother around the house as much as you can and continue being as sweet as when we said goodbye – do you remember? How could you not. Tatico, you should grow and become a man so that later we’ll see what you make of yourself. If imperialism still exists, we’ll set out to fight it. If it is finished, you, Camilo and I will take a vacation on the moon.
Give a kiss from me to your grandparents, to Miriam and her baby, to Estela and Carmita, and here’s an elephant-sized kiss from …
Papa
Unfortunately, he never had this vacation on the moon. And imperialism still exists.
Why? Probably because he was taken away so early and not too many men like him came around.
Ernesto "Che" Guevara died on the eve of a crucial year in the second half of the twentieth century, 1968, when for the first time everything seemed possible, and for the first time the youth of a large slice of the world engaged in short-lived but far-reaching revolts that "Che", more than anyone else, would come to personify.
"Che" Guevara’s death gave meaning to his life. Without his execution at the hands of Lieutenant Mario Teran in the dark and damp schoolroom at La Higuera, he would still have achieved epic feats and lived a glorious life, but his face would not appear on millions of T-shirts decades later.
He never asked for it. All he wanted was freedom and equality.
Was it too much to ask for?
I guess back then it was too much. And today it’s even more.
Revolutionary greeting.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
When You Thought Forrest Was Dumb
And look at what he's achieved. What you never thought of. He's achieved what the brightest people with the highest IQ's could never achieve.
Was it just a movie? Maybe. But at least it was a good message.
A true masterpiece written by novelist Winston Groom and then adapted for the screen by screenwriter Eric Roth. Directed by Robert Zemeckis. And one of the greatest acting performances of all time by Tom Hanks. Two thumbs up.
Forrest Gump was released in 1994 for eternity. A 142 minute journey of a man who was slow in the head, who knew how to love and to whom life opened its arms wide open.
Do you want to know why I'm writing about "Forrest Gump"? No. Not because if feel like him. Sigh.
Yesterday I watched it for the 42nd time. Yeah. You heard me well. 42 times.
When I first watched it in 1994 I knew I was going to watch it many more times. Therefore I started counting. Oops. I think I am like Forrest Gump after all.
Forrest loved Jenny Curran (played by Robin Wright Penn). Remember?
"Run Forrest. Run.
They had a son together also called Forrest. One of the best scenes? When Forrest Senior knew about Forrest Junior. He had tears in his eyes and asked Jenny:
"Is he ...
He wanted to ask Jenny if Forrest Junior was quick and not slow like him. Waw.
Even more. Forrest was a Vietnam hero. A ping pong champion. A millionaire. He ran across the United States. To count just a few.
But.
He still thought Apple Inc. was a fruit supplier when he received a letter from them and their logo was on top of it.
Finally. I just want to remind you about what Mrs. Gump (played by Sally Field) always told her son Forrest:
"Life is like a box of chocolate,
You never know what you're gona get.
No. I'm not at the Kodak theatre in Hollywood presenting an academy award. I wish though.
Guys. It might be bitter today but sweet tomorrow.
Run ... Run.
Was it just a movie? Maybe. But at least it was a good message.
A true masterpiece written by novelist Winston Groom and then adapted for the screen by screenwriter Eric Roth. Directed by Robert Zemeckis. And one of the greatest acting performances of all time by Tom Hanks. Two thumbs up.
Forrest Gump was released in 1994 for eternity. A 142 minute journey of a man who was slow in the head, who knew how to love and to whom life opened its arms wide open.
Do you want to know why I'm writing about "Forrest Gump"? No. Not because if feel like him. Sigh.
Yesterday I watched it for the 42nd time. Yeah. You heard me well. 42 times.
When I first watched it in 1994 I knew I was going to watch it many more times. Therefore I started counting. Oops. I think I am like Forrest Gump after all.
Forrest loved Jenny Curran (played by Robin Wright Penn). Remember?
"Run Forrest. Run.
They had a son together also called Forrest. One of the best scenes? When Forrest Senior knew about Forrest Junior. He had tears in his eyes and asked Jenny:
"Is he ...
He wanted to ask Jenny if Forrest Junior was quick and not slow like him. Waw.
Even more. Forrest was a Vietnam hero. A ping pong champion. A millionaire. He ran across the United States. To count just a few.
But.
He still thought Apple Inc. was a fruit supplier when he received a letter from them and their logo was on top of it.
Finally. I just want to remind you about what Mrs. Gump (played by Sally Field) always told her son Forrest:
"Life is like a box of chocolate,
You never know what you're gona get.
No. I'm not at the Kodak theatre in Hollywood presenting an academy award. I wish though.
Guys. It might be bitter today but sweet tomorrow.
Run ... Run.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)