Final:How the War in Iraq Has Affected San Antonio

A Tragedy in the U.S.
Terrorism has been going on for years throughout the nation. Although 9/11 is one of the most crucial, darkest days for Americans, the War on Terrorism did not begin on this day. Our nation's most popular and most tragic war yet to this day is still ongoing. What happened on September 11, 2001 in New York was a devastating act of terrorism from the most notorious Islam, Osama Bin Laden, and his Al-Qaeda crew. Those horrible actions literally marked a day in our calendars. Thousands of Americans lost their lives on that tragic day, and many families lost their loved ones. Many Americans think that the war that is still going on in Iraq should end now. Many soldiers are dying everyday and families are enduring the pain of their tragic loss. Many children have to now live life without ever knowing their dads, or live life without their moms, or simply without a loved one.
In 1998 the Afghans, Sudan, and associates of Osama Bin Laden bombed the U. S. embassies in Kenya, and Tanzania which killed 224 people including 12 Americans, and injured 5, 000 others. This then led at the time President Bill Clinton to launch Operation Infinite Reach, a bombing campaign in Afghanistan that targeted against associations with Al-Qaeda and their affiliates. There were threats and controversy that the Afghans were making nuclear gas missiles to use against the United States. When the bombing in Afghanistan took place and the U.S. found no nuclear threats, and killed several Afghans, Osama Bin Laden later threatened that he would retaliate in 2001. His threat then became a reality. Then, the attack in New York City took place. Terrorist hijacked four airliners, two which intentionally crashed into the twin towers of The World Trade Center, The third crashed into the Pentagon, and the fourth crashed into an open area in Pennsylvania. Then, the war in Iraq was on its way. According to Eric Draper of the Washington Post, “On the night of Sept. 11, President Bush met with his war cabinet and started America on the road to war. Nine days later, the president would address the nation before a joint session of Congress. Those 10 days -- Sept. 11 to Sept. 20 -- marked a crucial turning point in the country's history as the U.S. confronted the threat of international terrorism.” President Bush then orders thousands of troops to head to Iraq to look for Saddam Huessein, Osama Bin Ladin, nuclear threats, and all terrorist threats they encounter. After the terrorist attacks,thousands of people around the world enlist to be part of the United States military to be able to represent and defend our country and freedom. The war has been active for six years, and many people still disapprove.
Although the whole world has been affected, I know some people here in San Antonio that were hit very hard by the War in Iraq. I work at an elementary school and one of my co-workers(Yolanda) husband was just recently sent to Iraq in October of 2007. He is in the Air Force and has been for twenty three years. This would be his first time he was actually sent out to operation Iraq or any other operation. I talk to Yolanda on a daily basis and she worries about her husband every single day. I had the opportunity to ask her how has the war in Iraq affected her. Yolanda replied, “Well, not only was my husband sent out to Iraq, but I also have a nephew out there so it has affected my entire family. Since, my husband has been gone, things have been tough around the house. He was the cook in the house. He cooked everything from scratch and that is only one thing we miss about him not being here. I have two young girls that miss their dad tremendously and we worry about him every single day. It is sometimes hard for me to concentrate at work, and then there’s times when I’m at work and it’s so busy that’s the only time I can get my mind off of worrying about David(Yolanda’s husband).” Her eyes got really watery while she was talking to me. I had to change the subject and tell her that was enough information I needed. Then, I chose a random teacher there at the school which I thought I could also ask how has the war in Iraq affected her. Surprisingly, Mrs. Garcia said, “The war has affected my whole family. My nephew was killed in Iraq three years ago. He was so close to my son and daughter they admired him. When they heard the news they were just devastated. My sister took it so hard I thought she was never get back on her feet. There is a in the SouthSide named after him in his honor.
Then, I have a friend Isabel a fellow classmate in my Spanish class. When I asked her how has the war affected her she replied, “It has had a dramatic affect on my family. My son-in-law just committed suicide two weeks ago. We had his burial last week. He served a year in Iraq and when he got home he was lost. He was not himself. He was diagnosed with post traumatic stress, and had to take depression pills. He heavily relied on them. He would tell us that we do not understand what he’s going through he needs to have the pills. So we told him to try to go without them because we thought he was addicted to the pills. Well, then he committed suicide.” I did not ask how? I really wanted to know at the time, but I did not think it was appropriate. It still lingers in my mind, because he was a young man, only twenty eight years old. He left behind a wife and two kids. These were only a few stories told. Imagine how many more war stories around San Antonio there are to tell. San Antonians show their support by hanging up yellow ribbons on their trees, porches and doors. Many people also contribute and show support by donating items and money to send care packages to the soldiers in Iraq. People in San Antonio have come together since the war in Iraq has began. It is imperative that we show our support for our troops that put their lives on the line to ensure our safety and freedom, also support the families who have loved ones deployed, and to those who have lost loved ones during this time of tragedy.

Lydia Mendoza was an American guitarist who sang tejano music. She was once known as the QUEEN of TEJANO music back in the 1930’s. She was born on May 21, 1996, into a musical family from Houston, Texas. Her mother and grandmother were also singers, she obviously took after them. Lydia and her family once entered a musical contest and won first place. With those earnings her family and her made a life in San Antonio. They did several shows around San Antonio expressing her god given talent. During the big Depression she and her family would travel and she would sing for the poor people and bring a little joy in their lives. Not many people would do that especially for nothing in return. This just goes to show how caring Lydia was and how she loved doing what she does. Her family struggled for two years, making their living by playing at the open air market for some cash. After singing, traveling, and putting on shows she was finally discovered by a major recording label who decided to take her in and record her music. She would be one of the very first tejano female recordist. She became big and popular by all. People everywhere wanted to hear her music. She had a popular song that was dedicated to her husband and personally wrote by her, it was called “Amor Bonito”. This song is very touching. It expresses her deep love and devotion for him and how much she appreciates. When her husband died, she was very, very sadly depressed as would anyone after losing a loved one. But then she met a new love who would help renew her spirits and help her resume her singing career. Although, she had arthritis in her hands, she continued to perform until the late 1980’s, when a stroke left her somewhat paralyzed. Lydia Mendoza earned herself many honorary recognitions throughout her music career. She died at a mere ninety-one years old on December 20 2007.

HAPPY RIO HOLIDAYS

In the halls of Palo Alto Elementary lies an admirable piece of artwork by an artist named Ismael Pena. Ismael is an artistic fifth grader who attends the elementary school. He was the winner of the Fiesta River Parade art contest held last month. Every year the Texas Cavaliers organization ask local elementary schools to submit students’ artwork depicting the theme of the annual Fiesta River Parade. Hundreds maybe even thousands of drawings are entered, however, only 10 finalists are chosen. Each finalist represents one of the 10 City Council Districts. Out of the 10 finalists only one piece of art is chosen to be the triumphant grand winner. Ismael Pena excelled in his art drawing and surpassed the other 9 finalists. He is now the Honorary Grand Marshal of the River Parade and will get to travel on the float. Ismael’s artwork will be on the cover of the River Parade program which is distributed to all ticket holders throughout San Antonio. He also earned a $1,000 worth of art supplies for his school. His artwork theme is HAPPY RIO HOLIDAYS, which is absolutely bold and colorful. I think his purpose was to not only incorporate the holidays in his work by drawing seasonal figures on the float, but also to display the downtown area by adding the Tower of Americus and the surrounding buildings in the background. The focal point of this art is the King Antonio right in the center. This is an asymmetrical piece with motion going on in the fireworks display and also in the river. Ismael’s talent was highly recognized and truly appreciated by all. He is a young boy with a great talent that will inspire and bring him success for the future.