March 24, 2017: Del Rio News-Herald * OPINION * Letter to the Editor * Amistoso and friendly
Letter
to the Editor,
Amistoso
and Friendly
Lake
Amistad Dam International Crossing is a dam that serves as an international
bridge which crosses the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo.
The
dam connects the United States-Mexico border cities of Del Rio, Texas and
Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila and is jointly owned by the United States Government and
the Mexican Government.
The
international boundary crosses the center of the dam where Amistoso El Águila and Friendly
The Eagle have majestically stood side by side atop Amistad Dam/Presa la
Amistad for 48 peaceful and pleasant years.
But
now things are different, things have changed.
Friendly: I’m sorry my government will be
building a wall across the center of the dam.
Amistoso: You mean a wall will be built
across a bridge.
Friendly: Yes, that’s what I understand; after
all these years we will be physically divided, you on one side of the wall and
me on the other side of the wall.
Amistoso: But why?
Friendly: My President thinks we need it and
so do some people.
Amistoso: But we’ve been friends forever,
standing here together, overlooking our respective country’s beautiful land and
our lovely people.
Friendly: I guess some people don’t see it
that way. You and I have seen both good and bad people come across from both
countries.
Amistoso: Mostly good people.
Friendly: Unfortunately, it is those few bad
people that have caused this problem.
Amistoso: But we’ll still be friends, right?
Friendly: Of course, we are our country’s
great and powerful symbols that have endured the test of time and we will
prevail as friends even though we will no longer stand side by side, but in our
heart and soul we will always carry the great love and respect our people have
for each other.
Amistoso: I see the construction crew, or
rather de-construction crew coming. I guess this is the end of an era.
Friendly: Change is always hard.
Amistoso: I’ll miss you. Adios amigo!
Friendly: I’ll miss you, too. Good-bye my
friend!
As
they bid farewell, a single solitary tear rolls down their faces.
Marian
Casillas, Ed.D.
Del
Rio