No, this isn't me. I left as an E-4 (this soldier is a private). But I salute you still the same.
Posted on 05/20/2002 3:03:50 PM PDT by walrus954
Today was an amazing day for I finally got to see President Bush speak in Miami. My day started at 9 am when my father and I set out for the office of Rep. Lincoln Diaz Balarat. I got tickets from the congressman on Friday and had to pick them up. Then, it was off to the Orange Bowl where were boarded a shuttle bus to the James Knight Center. For someone who's Spanish is very shaky (I am only partially Cuban), this was a baptism by fire. I am 15, and I was the youngest on the bus by fire. Not only that, but my 45 year old father was the youngest on the bus by far. The people with us on the bus consisted of old Cuban-Americans who, like all Cuban Americans, had a strong love for Cuba and a passionate hate for Castro. After about a half hour of singing the Cuban National Anthem and reciting poems about Cuba, we made it to the James Knight Center, where we had to wait for two hours in line to get through security.
After this two hours of waiting, we had another hour and a half of waiting. It was interesting, however, because we got to hear the stories of the man who sat next to us who was a political prisoner in Cuba for 26 years. Then, at three o'clock, it started. Our senators and congress men (Graham, Nelson, Ros Lehithn and Diaz Balarat) entered, and Gloria Estefan and John Secada sang the national anthems of Cuba and the US. Governor Jeb Bush came to the podium and spoke in flawless Spanish. Then, he introduced the President of the United States. It felt like a volcano erupting inside the auditorium. All 3,000 jumped to their feet clapping and waving flags and screaming "Libertad" (Liberty!) and "Viva Cuba Libre!" (Long Live a Free Cuba). The feeling of goosebumps doesn't even begin to describe it. The president began to speak in Spanish, but then said he didn't want to destroy a beautiful language and reverted to English. The President gave a great speech spelling out his Cuba policy. After every few sentences, the crowd would leap to their feet, waving their flags, and shouting "Libertad!" and "U-S-A."
It truly was an amazing experience. He challenged Castro to allow free elections and introduced a Cuban refugee kid who came here 6 years ago speaking no English. Now, he will be going to Harvard. It proves what can happen to capable people when they are allowed to prosper in freedom. He then discussed his conditions for lifting the embargo (freeing political prisoners, allowing elections, etc), which I agree with. The President really gave me strength to continue to believe that someday, Cuba will be free again. I hope that this day is soon.
Viva Cuba Libre y Presidente Bush!
Andrew
I second, third, and fourth Summers nomination! So well written I actually cried and felt the cheers of the crowd, as well as their hope! They know how to appreciate this country!
Congratulations on being there!!
But can somebody explain to me why we have sanctions against Cuba but not China?
My boys at the time were 9 and 4 when we went to a rally for GW when he ran for govenor the 2nd time here in Texas. I assured my sons we were going because this man was going to be the President one day. We were right up front and he shook their hands and spoke to them. Asked about their games because they were in uniform. Before we left eldest son had the camera and yelled, GOVENOR BUSH, he turned and when he saw who it was he waved to him. My son is soooo proud of that picture, we have blown it up framed it and put it in our loft where the tv, computer, playstation etc... In fact he loaned it to a boy in one of his classes for his year end reasearch project. The boy is doing it on GW. I am sooo worried that I won't get it back.
We are all proud of you here on freerepublic and keep up the good work. VIVA BUSH VIVA CUBA LIBRE
My boys at the time were 9 and 4 when we went to a rally for GW when he ran for govenor the 2nd time here in Texas. I assured my sons we were going because this man was going to be the President one day. We were right up front and he shook their hands and spoke to them. Asked about their games because they were in uniform. Before we left eldest son had the camera and yelled, GOVENOR BUSH, he turned and when he saw who it was he waved to him. My son is soooo proud of that picture, we have blown it up framed it and put it in our loft where the tv, computer, playstation etc... In fact he loaned it to a boy in one of his classes for his year end reasearch project. The boy is doing it on GW. I am sooo worried that I won't get it back.
We are all proud of you here on freerepublic and keep up the good work. VIVA BUSH VIVA CUBA LIBRE
May I ask how you are setting up this project etc? Maybe it could help me get some ideas. I am just curious because one thing I have been toying with is a project to deliver Bibles to every home in my town. There have been similar projects in other states (I think even Texas) where a group banded together to do this for the entire state. Well, I think that is a bit ambitious, but I would really love to do something like this....send a Bible and evangelistic tract to every home in my town. It would be expensive and that is my concern. Sure, most people will toss it in the garbage, but if one person comes to Christ it is worth it. (As a sidenote, I wonder if the people that say Calvinists like myself are lazy evangelists are reading this post).
With his mangling of English, Bush is going to be out of languages soon.;^)
YES INDEED! Y mil gracias por..... increasing my Spanish vocabulary!
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