Colombia's Heroes on Independence Day

Yesterday I attended an Independence Day celebration in Minneapolis. It was a gorgeous day with plenty of friendly people plus good food, good music, good dancing (not mine) and so-so beer.

I also had the honor of meeting seven Colombian soldiers. Four of them were very seriously injured and are receiving complex reconstruction surgeries and undergoing rehabilitation at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Three of them are active duty but serving for a year in MN as caretakers and treatment coordinators.

A couple of comments and then I will let their stories speak for them. First, the United for Colombia organization assists victims of conflict violence from all walks of life, not just the military. Second, the soldiers I met are receiving world-class care, some of it experimental, but only six at a time can be treated at the Mayo. There are many more wounded soldiers and civilians in need, so if you're looking for a charity that does important work, you might want to research this one. And finally, let's hope that in a few more years, charities like this are no longer needed in Colombia.

-----------------------------------------

HOME PAGE (choose your language)
www.unitedforcolombia.org/

SPANISH - soldiers treated at Baylor College of Medicine, Texas
www.unitedforcolombia.org/Espa%c3%b1ol/Cambiando_Vidas/Solidaridad_Americana/Baylor_Center

SPANISH - soldiers treated at the Mayo Clinic, Minnesota
www.unitedforcolombia.org/Espa%c3%b1ol/Cambiando_Vidas/Solidaridad_Americana/Mayo_Clinic

SPANISH - TV news clip about a soldier being treated at the Mayo Clinic, Minnesota
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WxgegzSVsY

ENGLISH - story written by a high school student about the soldier in the YouTube video
www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=19&a=...

By Tinto (Moderator) (Trustee board) on Jul 21, 2008, 13:28 in Friendly Talkzone.

Tinto (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Jul 21, 2008, 13:33: Note: The long links will work, but you may have to copy and paste them into your browser I wanted access to health care, housing and education, but, no, I get potholes, trash and silicone tits instead. -Desi. 0 funny, 0 helpful.

Monpirri says on Jul 21, 2008, 13:49: Thank you for letting us know about this great medical facility, Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. "Anyone who still thinks that Colombia is not a gastronomical paradise needs to have their head examined." Darloup 0 funny, 0 helpful.

webmanco says on Jul 21, 2008, 13:51: ...A yo, déjenme queto y no me jodan má! ... 0 funny, 0 helpful.

Monpirri says on Jul 21, 2008, 14:00: Desfile militar desde Leticia Colombia's Heroes on Independence Day "Anyone who still thinks that Colombia is not a gastronomical paradise needs to have their head examined." Darloup 0 funny, 0 helpful.

More posts by the same author:

A mission for Simon 5

Another attempt to criminalize personal drug use (and maybe chicharrones) 37

Sofia Viagra to make Broadway debut this Spring 36

$43 million USD (and counting) trophy wife 14

In Chicago and have $45 burning a hole in your pocket? 2

Uribe makes the front page of the WSJ (again) 10

Anyone in Bogota seen one of these books in Panamericana (or elsewhere) recently? 2

Get your frankenfood (and milk) here 31

A Gringo in Bogota 10

Colombia Positiva - front page of the NY Times 7

In Colombia the Holy Spirit sets interest rates 2

Biblio Burro in Colombia 2

Crazy market in Colombia (and elsewhere of course) 2

Anyone familar with Avianca from BOG to FLL (Ft. Lauderdale)? 5

Calling all Houstonians - Question about Hurricane Ike and IAH 2

Carpe Diem, Dying Young and Irony 0

Colombia: Laboratory of Witches, Democracy and State Terror (book review) 3

"This Day in History" news item 12

The Red Cross Vest, Part II 52

USAID Announces New Mission Director to Colombia 1