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63 °F Forecast | Road Cams Wednesday, May 5, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend April 28, 2004 Dead son’s memory drives dad’s anti-war convictions By PAUL FATTIG Mail Tribune Since he began speaking out against the war in Iraq, Fernando Suarez del Solar has been called an ingrate. And that was just from his in-laws and other immigrants. No doubt others have used stronger words. But the memory of his son killed in Iraq a little over a year ago spurs on the man who will be speaking at a Southern Oregon University conference beginning at 7 p.m. Friday. "When Jesus was going to Iraq, he told me, ‘I’m very proud because I’m a Marine,’" Suarez del Solar said in a telephone interview from his home in Escondido, Calif. "But he also told me something else that he said was very, very important," he added. "He told me, ‘I believe you more than Mr. Bush. But I am a Marine. I have to go. And I want to do what I can to help the Iraqi children.’" Advertisement Jesus Suarez del Solar, 20, a member of a Marine reconnaissance unit, was killed on March 23, 2003, after stepping on a cluster bomb near Baghdad. He left four sisters and his parents. His father, who had already questioned the need for the war, began voicing his concern publicly. He has joined Military Families Speak Out, a nationwide group opposed to the war. He has met with countless military families across the nation and traveled to Iraq to talk to the troops and see the war with his own eyes. He also has started an organization to provide psychological counseling for Hispanic families who have lost loved ones in Iraq or who have loved ones serving there. "I believe entering this war was wrong, a terrible mistake," he said, noting the reasons cited early on by the Bush administration for invading Iraq appeared to have faded away with few people asking questions. But Suarez del Solar, 48, who was born in Mexico but is now a U.S. citizen, is quick to observe that he supports the American troops ordered to Iraq. Although his son, also born in Mexico, had not yet become a U.S. citizen before he was killed, he was embraced by his fellow Marines, he said. "My son showed me the Marines are a big family," he said. "They are all my sons over there. I support my sons. But I don’t support the Bush administration for what it has done to my sons." Noting that 115 Americans have died in Iraq this month with more than 900 wounded, he said the Iraqi situation appears to be getting worse. More than 700 Americans, both men and women, have been killed since the war started a little over a year ago. "I feel very bad," he said. "The American boys who receive the orders to go there are dying. But innocent Iraqi people are dying, too." Although he acknowledges he has received comments and e-mails from people who oppose his views, he said most are very supportive. "For example, I have received about 20 to 25 e-mails this month from people supporting my activities," he said. "Only about four say I am wrong. Most people thank me for speaking out." Reach reporter Paul Fattig at 776-4496 or e-mail him at [email protected] Suarez will open the Act for the Earth conference at SOU ASHLAND — Fernando Suarez del Solar will kick off the Act for the Earth conference at Southern Oregon University when he begins speaking at 7 p.m. Friday in the Britt Ballroom. The event, sponsored by Peace House, the Ecology Center of the Siskiyous and the Oregon State Public Interest Research Group, will include a weekend of workshops, panels and skills training. The weekend events, which will be from 9 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Saturday and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, will be at the Stevenson Union. The Oxygen Collective, a group of local environmental activists who have been traveling the nation in a vegetable oil- powered bus, will perform its final "Fire and Forests Roadshow" beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Stevenson Union. The group is opposed to proposed salvage logging of timber burned by the 2002 Biscuit fire in the Siskiyou National Forest. Admission is free for all events but donations will be accepted. For more information, contact Peace House at 482-9625, OSPIRG at 552-8514 or ECOS at 552-8512. Reach reporter Paul Fattig at 776-4496 or e-mail him at [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times