Fernando Suarez del Solar
He was born in a small town called "Tenango del Aire" in the state of Mexico, Mexico on December 8, 1955.
Fernando Suarez Del Solar.
Natural father of Jesús Alberto Suarez del Solar Navarro, died in Iraq on March 27, 2003, being the first soldier of Mexican origin and the 5 Hispanic soldier killed in the invasion of Iraq.
He studied his primary studies at the Lasallista "Benavente" school in the city of Puebla, Mexico. Later he entered the "Latin American Military University" where he studied in a military environment his secondary studies. He enters the High School "Colegio de Bachilleres" in Mexico City.
On the death of his father, he moved to the city of Tijuana, Mexico, where he received the nomination for "The medal of civic merit" as the "Man of the year" in 1995 for his work on behalf of poor communities, as well as other recognitions. in the field of social justice work.
In 1995 he moved to San Diego CA. For his son Jesús Alberto to enter High School and thus be able to enter the body of the US Marines. Thus supporting her son's dream of joining the DEA and fighting drug trafficking.
Following the death of his son in Iraq on March 27, 2003, Fernando undertook an awareness campaign among young people to educate them against violence and militarism.
He travels to Iraq in December 2003, where he visits the exact place where his son dies from an American “Cluster Bomb”, he collects dirt covered in his blood, and in February 2004 he plants a tree in the Kit Karson park of the city from Escondido, using that land from Iraq, Mexico and the USA, as a symbol of new life and brotherhood, it was called the "Tree of Peace"
He returns to Iraq / Jordan in December 2004 carrying more than $ 650,000.00 dollars, thanks to the collaboration of various organizations and the general public, to buy medicines for Iraq's children's hospitals.
In March 2006, in commemoration of the anniversary of the death of his son, he made the "Walk for Peace" from Tijuana to San Francisco CA, walking more than 240 miles, inspired by Gandi.
And in 2007, for the same reasons, he performs the 48-hour "Fast for Peace" sitting at the gates of the Federal Building in San Diego, this being a call for Peace and for the Troops to return home.
He has received several recognitions for his activity in favor of peace and education among them:
Annual Peace Award from War Resisters League in March 2003.
"Peace and justice Award" From "The Office of the Americas in June 2004.
Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition by Barbara Lee Member of Congress in 2004
"Certificate of Recognition" Awarded by Fabian Nuñez Speaker of Assembly December 2004
California Legislative Assembly Certificate of Recognition by Cindy Montanez in March 2006.
"Gandhi Nonviolence Award" By Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence October 2005.
Commendation from Lieutenant Governor Cruz M. Bustamante Oct. 2006 "Activist of the Year" By Activist San Diego January 2005.
International Peace and Justice Advocate by NCCPJ May 2005
Certificate of Recognition By American Friends Service Committee Oct 2006
Local Hero of the Year awarded by Union Bank of California and KPBS Television Sep 2007
Among others.
Likewise, Mr. Suarez del Solar, has traveled through various countries such as Japan, Germany, Rome, Spain, Mexico, Coilombia Venezuela, Jordan, Iraq, speaking in schools and public forums carrying a message of brotherhood among peoples and inviting youths not to take the path of violence as a solution to conflicts.
Within the United States, he has visited more than 500 schools, where he speaks in assemblies or in small groups of students, about his experiences with his son and his trips to Iraq, inviting them to make more efforts to continue their higher education outside of any type of violence.
He has also participated in international anti-war tribunals in Italy, Spain, Venezuela, and within the United States.
Currently Mr. Suarez del Solar spends his time going to schools, either inside or outside of them to talk to young people and their families, about the importance of continuing education and the different options outside of militarism.
References
External links
- http://www.latinola.com/story.php?story=1242
- https://web.archive.org/web/20080517010431/http://www.hispanicvista.com/HVC/Opinion/Guest_Columns/022805mariscal.htm
- http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/37487/