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Thank you for the flag Freedom, and for writing this great tribute to Luis. You did a great job! Thank you too Billie for creating this wonderful tribute page and for naming Luis as one of FR’s Finest. He is all that and much more.

To say he is the best writer on a forum blessed with many gifted writers is the simple truth, but only part of the story. To say he was and is the heart and soul of the gallant band of freedom warriors for Elian is an understatement. (Don’t take my word for it, ask our adversaries and former adversaries.) To say he is as passionate about liberty as my Scottish namesake is to restate the obvious. To say Luis loves his adopted country as much as Ronald Reagan and for the same reasons is to hear his canto libre, his freedom song. To say he is my best friend is my great honor and privilege.

I first “met” Luis here on FR on the threads about Elian Gonzalez. Having grown up under the same Communist tyranny that Elian’s mother and countless others died trying to flee, Luis understood better than anyone the obscenity being perpetrated on this small helpless child by a corrupt administration eagerly doing the dirty work for a brutal Communist dictator. When some conservatives vacillated or misunderstood the issues at stake (If this was a case about parental rights, would the Clinton Administration have sided with parents -- and fathers no less?) Luis always stood -- with the boy and the fisherman -- on the side of freedom.

As many FReepers can attest, Luis doesn’t shy away from expressing his views even when he knows they will be misrepresented or met with scorn and derision. He is not here to promote any agenda other than the truth or plead the case of any special interest except our precious God-given rights and to remind us of our duty as Americans and patriots to rebuild that shining city on a hill. As another great American hero said, “Let’s roll.”

It’s rarely the case we get a chance to commemorate our heroes before they’re no longer around to hear us sing their praises. I’m so glad you did this tribute now because it gave me a chance to tell Luis that his friendship means the world to me and that I love him like a brother.

Thanks Billie and Freedom.