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I met a remarkable man in the fall of 2004. His name is Fernando Suarez, and he came to Santa Fe as a guest of the local Veterans for Peace chapter. Here the Day of the Dead is celebrated November 1st and 2nd and Fernando came to participate in a traditional celebration honoring those who have passed on. He stayed at our house, and when he left I was determined to do something constructive to counter the message and acts of war coming from our government. Here is his story.

Fernando is an immigrant from Mexico, who crossed the border several years ago with his wife and two small children. They settled in San Diego, where Fernando did whatever work he could. Gradually he learned enough English to get a job in a convenience store as a night clerk. As his older child Jesus grew up he saw the disastrous impact of drugs on many of his peers on both sides of the border. Jesus' dream was to become a law enforcement officer and help young people stay off drugs. When the military recruiter came to his high school, Jesus listened carefully. Joining the military seemed to offer the promise of a college education. He knew his parents could not help with those expenses, and the recruiter told him they would send him to school to be a policeman and his dream could come true, IF he would join the Marines. So Jesus signed up, went to basic training, was sent to Iraq, and was killed in April 2003, the first Marine to die in Iraq in the current conflict.

Since his son's death, Fernando has turned into a fierce activist on behalf of young people, urging them to pursue an education rather than joining the military. He makes it clear that he is very proud of his son and his patriotism. But he believes that those who want to be soldiers should be soldiers, and those who want to pursue an education and a peaceful career should be able to do so without a stint in the military.

He started Guerreroazteca in honor of his son, and travels constantly, speaking at schools, to groups, to leaders. From behind the counter of the convenience store, he has emerged a strong, charismatic, inspiring force – in both English and in Spanish – urging us to do something, whatever we chose. He traveled to Iraq to see where and how his son died. He brought back some soil from there, so his wife could plant a tree in their front yard with the soil. He has made several trips since then to Iraq, forming bonds with Iraqi parents who have also lost children. On his last trip he took medical supplies.

I was lucky to spend time with this remarkable man, and was captivated by his commitment, energy and heart. I asked him what I could do to help. "Find ways for kids to get an education without having to join the military," he said. He described programs where non-profits give "peace scholarships" to students who choose education over military. I helped start such a program in Santa Fe, through the Joan Duffy Chapter of Veterans for Peace, which awards scholarships to financially needy young people who demonstrate a commitment to a peaceful world.

Joan Duffy Chapter of Veterans for Peace (Santa Fe) awards college scholarships, 2006

Joan Duffy Chapter of Veterans for Peace (Santa Fe) awards college scholarships, 2006

The first two years the scholarships are being awarded to Navajo students. I lived 7 years (1968-1975) on the Navajo Reservation and have deep attachments there. I also saw how patriotic young Navajos are, going to Vietnam, and I admired that. I didn't want to diminish the sacrifices and the patriotism of those who have chosen over the decades to fight for this country, but I wanted to offer an alternative for young people who only joined up to get the education money.

The chapter awarded 4 scholarships for the fall 2006 semester, and 2 more for the spring 2007 semester. The scholarships are administered through the Navajo Nation Scholarship Office in Window Rock, Arizona. 928-871-7424

DONATIONS TO THE JOAN DUFFY CHAPTER, VFP, SANTA FE, NM, ARE WELCOME!! AND TAX DEDUCTIBLE.