This is the one year mark. Yesterday, Mrs. Carmen Hernandez, Paquito's mom, took part in an ati-war march that took place in Puerto Rico.
Maria, Monica and I, have been talking this over for a long time now, and have decided that one of the best remembrance rituals that we can do would be to be at the lobby of the Embassy Suites in Salt Lake City at 8:00 PM mountain time. At that time, we will begin our 10 to 15 minute car ride through S State St. (89) to the same hotel where we are staying, the same one where I was a year ago. We want to be together as opposed to separated by 1,400 miles as we were a year ago.
Once at the hotel, we will spend our evening going over our favorite Paquito's poetry, music and art works.
Twenty one years ago I was in my first tour in college doing a History degree with a concentration in Latin American Studies. I was also undergoing courses to become a Commissioned Officer with the United States Army through the ROTC program in the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus. I used to read books like On War and the Pursuit of Power. I still believe that all civilized nations should have a defense force, the same way that everyone of us could see a need for a police force to keep the weaker safe and the strong from their own abuses. Breaks my heart how time and time again we resort to employing our military might before exhausting all diplomatic means.
Would I let my child join the military knowing they could die? I knew that then, it was also present in my mind though my own years of military service.
I want to take this opportunity to thank the hundreds of people that supported us the Martinez, after Paquito's passing. I also want to thank all the new messages of support and condolences expressed unsolicited by my many friends, specially the great expressions by Kevin Shockey and his family.
Posted by martinf at March 20, 2006 03:00 PMHello
My name is Bernardo, I was an exchange student in Eastern Hills back in 2001, and had art class with Frankie for one semester. Only yesterday I learned from a friend of Frankie's death. The last time I spoke with him, he was still in Korea, so I didn't even know he had gone to Iraq.
I actually spoke to you on the phone once, probably in 2003 or 2004. I called all the way from Brazil to talk to Frank, and you gave me his email address because he no longer lived there '=)
I am deeply and awfully sorry to learn about his death, and I am praying for you and your family.
Tomorrow afternoon I will try to find some time and scan some pictures I have of him; if I can't, I'll do that on Monday. If you'd like, I can send them to you.
Big hugs and Goid bless!
Bernardo
Hello Mr. Martinez,
this is thasanee I Hope you still remember me! Well I wanted to let you know I've not forgotten about Frank, Francisco, Paquito. no matter what one calls him he is the same person and that person is someone I'll never forget. I hope to finally make it to Texas so that I can meet the man responsible for raising such a wonderful man.
Love,
Thasanee