Dead Soldier's Dad Finds No Enemy in Iraq

[Tinoire]

December 30, 2004
Dead Soldier's Dad Finds No Enemy in Iraq

by Rebecca Romani

(snip)

"The last time I went to Iraq," he adds, "the Pentagon called up another California Senator, Sen. Javier Vincera, who was supporting me, to tell him to tell me that I would not be welcome in Iraq," and if he did go, they would not assure his safety.

In response, Suarez called a press conference to question the Pentagon's motives. "I said, 'Whatever happens, Bush is responsible,'" he recalls. The Pentagon backed down and declared him welcome.

(snip)

And then Suarez's voice gets hard.

"They say Saddam had illegal weapons. Jesus died because of an illegal weapon. Cluster bombs are illegal under the Geneva Conventions."

(snip)

But Suarez found out this part of the story only much later. At first, he and his family were told Jesus had been shot in the head, an image that horrified his parents. Later, he was told his son had stepped on an Iraqi mine and there was an investigation pending.

(snip)

It took two weeks for the military to return his son's body for burial, and they refused to let the father see it until the remains were at the mortuary.

(snip)

The day of the funeral, Suarez asked to spend time alone with his son. Armed with university training in forensic medicine, he examined the corpse and found that, indeed, something had ripped through the right side, removing pieces of hand, foot, upper thigh, and groin.

"At that point," says Suarez, "I knew."

(snip)

http://www.antiwar.com/ips/romani.php?articleid=4236

[leftchick]

1. Sad Stories like this need to be heard!

Hopefully AmeriKans will Get a Clue as to WTF the USA is doing
IN THEIR NAMES!!
:puke:

[WebeBlue]

11. I agree the stories need to be heard...BUT

unfortunately often they are not read or heard. It takes a lot to get the stories out into mainstream, and once there, it seems to take a lot to "stir" the American public. In fact, until I found DU, I have rarely heard so many express much concern about war in Iraq, loss of our young (and now our old as back-door draft activates the old guys). As member family of MFSO (Military Families Speak Out, http://www.mfso.org/ a grass-roots organization formed 2 yrs ago w/ membership now of 2000 families) I am in company of many other military families that speak out against the war in support of the troops. I am constantly surprised and taken aback when I'm in the company of the average American that knows little about the realities of the war and toll, or supports it with a strange passion that I have yet to understand or comprehend.

But then election fraud doesn't make the mainstream news either, so what kind of artificial reality are we living in these days??

[tk2kewl]

2. Fernando Suarez is a true American!

I think it takes real guts to take on the Pentagon as an immigrant

[Tinoire]

3. Doesn't it though! And he's being a real thorn in their side.

He's constantly touring with Vets for Peace and Military Families Speak Out.

A true hero.

[WebeBlue]

7. He is a powerful Voice of Truth for MFSO..glad to see someone here knows

of him and his unwavering courage. I am a member family of MFSO, and their collective voice has been nothing but valiant these past 2 years, and while hasn't had much swaying impact on changing the course of the war the message still remains, support the troops, bring them home now.

[Tinoire]

8. Do you know Mike McPherson?

And thrilled to meet you! Those are activist friends of mine and I always feel honored to work with them. I'm VFP.

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[WebeBlue]

10. Hi, tx for the welcome, VfP are good folks to work with

they have been very supportive of MFSO activities across the nation and often VfP and MFSO activities are paired. No I don't know Mike McPherson, though.

[Tinoire]

14. MFSO deserves the support

They do amazing work! McPherson is more VfP but he works very closely with MFSO- at least he used to. Takd care and welcome again!

[Solly Mack]

4. They're not afraid to lie about how soldiers die

not in the least bit

They will CYA at all cost

[Laurab]

6. How very sad

That is one very special man. Taking on the pentagon would likely pale in comparison to losing a child, but what's truly amazing is his kindess to the people * would have us hate. Wait, no, I forgot - we're "freeing" them. How * sleeps at night I'll never know.

[GetTheRightVote]

5. Oh my God and they say these people are of God, not the one I know/pray to

:kick:

It is so terrible yet the price of this horrible war !!

[LiberalVoice]

9. This is an absolutly amazing article.

Amazing.

[DinahMoeHum]

12. The Iraqis showed him sympathy, Bush sure as shit didn't.

(snip)
"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."
(snip)

WOW!

[Eloriel]

13. Albert Einstein -- there's a quote that fits I think

paraphrased ('cause I can't remember it exactly):

War will not end because of those who hate war but because of those who love peace more.