. Today we received a note from his Dad

AZTEC WARRIOR

Jesus A. Suarez Del Solar Navarro

Jesus was born in the City of Tijuana B.C. Mexico on the 16 of November of 1982. He received his primary education at the public school Cuahutemoc and in the Secondary Federal # 44 of the same city of Tijuana. He emigrated to Escondido, CA in the year of 1997 where he attended San Pascual High School and graduated with honors from Valley High School of Escondido,, Ca.

He joined the Marines in the year of 2001. He left for Iraq on the 5 of February of 2003 and fell in combat the 27 of March, 2003.

FATHER'S MESSAGE

The death of my son, of my Aztec Guerrero, is not in vain, since thanks to his sacrifice, thousands of we Hispanics have been united in the pain and we have been able to unite to honor its memory, as one of so many Hispanics fallen in this war. This war could be illegal, unjust, or without justification, possibly is because the government of Bush needs cheap petrol. But what is true is the immense value and sacrifice that our children did by this cause, that selflessly fought with honor so that, within their ideals, to fight the terrorism that does so much damage to the world in general.

And ironically, this war could unleash more resentment, more hatred and more terrorism in the world, for that reason the sacrifice of my son and others is symbolic to world peace, to that with no need of so many deaths we can arrive at an understanding between the nations by pacifist means, without resorting to the violence, since this only engenders more violence and destruction.

Rest peacefully, my Aztec Warrior and the many other fallen heroes.

Fernando Suarez Del Solar

LETTER TO MY ABSENT SON

Jesus, my son.

I desire that you know how proud I am of you, as a son, brother, husband, father and as a Mexican. I feel so sad to know that no longer will I be able to hug you, kiss you and to listen to your voice, but at the same time I am happy knowing that you are in a place full of light, harmony, flowers, peace, next to El Senor. You always wanted to be a soldier, for that reason you were called Aztec Guerrero, and you died fighting, with valentia [valor?] by your own ideals, your own conviction that this war will serve so that your son and all the children of the world have a place more surely to live. I know that you were convinced that this war was necessary to free us of the terrorism that assassinates thousands every year, to thousands of innocents and you, by your great heart you did not want that this continued, but I ask son of mine. What is to become of us? Of your mother? Of your sisters? Of your wife? Of your son? Of me?. How do you think that we can live without your beautiful presence? Why, son? Why did you have to leave? Forgive me, son, but I cry to know you are absent, I cry for your valentia[?], I cry for the great pain of not having you.., which I am selfish, that my fatherly love makes want to have you by my side. But I cannot help it; there is a great, an immense pain here in my chest, a great emptiness in my heart because of your painful departure, Jesus, my baby.

I want to ask your forgiveness if I was not the best father, if I was hard with you, some times I was unjust, but always I was full of love towards you, everything was so that you were what you were, a great full man of virtues, plenty of nobility.

I know that you will realize from where you are the immense love and respect that you woke up in the world-wide community and especially in Escondido; it was something that touched the heart of your mother, the knowledge that everyone loves you and respects you for the great sacrifice which you did by this world.

Jesus, my Aztec Guerrero, I know of your pride of being Mexican and want to ask your forgiveness, but we had to accept the American nationality through you, to be able to protect to your son in the future; we know that you will understand it and will pardon us for this decision.

Jesus, thanks for being my son, and as I said in your funeral, we never buried to you, we only seeded you, so that you are the seed of a new generation of young lovers of Peace and the love in the world.

God has you at His side and fills us with love my son.

I do not take leave, it is only an "Hasta Luego". [Until Later]

Your father who adores to you.

Fernando Suarez Del Solar

Quedo de ustedes a sus apreciables ordenes.

We believe quite strongly that Mr. Suarez is wrong about the nature of the war that claimed his son's life, and that the cause was indeed worthy. But we mourn his loss and honor his service to our country and hope that his father and family find peace. He lived and died the words of John 15:13: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." That the friends he gave his life for were Iraqi strangers makes his devotion to the ideal all the more extraordinary. The streets of heaven today are guarded by one more U.S. Marine.

MORE:
-Guerrero Azteca
-Base mourns "Aztec Warrior" Marine (Camp Pendleton, 4/25/03)
-Fallen Marine hailed as hero (ERIN MASSEY, 4/12/03, North County Times)
-Fallen Marine honored in Escondido (ERIN MASSEY, 4/12/03, North County Times)
-Marines last seen near Euphrates (RICK McLAUGHLIN, 3/30/03, San Bernardino County Sun-News)
-Family: Marines Keep Quiet About Son's Death: Family Hears About Son's Death From Various News Reports (San Diego Channel, April 2, 2003)
-AUDIO INTERVIEW: FATHER OF FALLEN MARINE: Maria Hinojosa speaks with Fernando Suarez del Solar, father of a Marine killed in action in Iraq. (Latino USA, April 18-24, 2003) Posted by Orrin Judd at May 24, 2003 6:41 AM