Immokalee Guardsman's memories of Afghanistan Naples Daily News
In a presentation titled "Tribute to 9/11" at the Immokalee Career and Service Centers he shared those memories, talked about Afghanistan, Operation Enduring Freedom and the war on terrorism, and commemorated lives lost.
"It's a part of my transition back into
football boots sale American society and it's a way for me to share the moment, to bring family, friends, coworkers, community members together on this day," Aviles,
football boots uk sale 35, said. "It's been five years and I believe the wound has healed but we still have that scar. We can forgive, but we can never forget."
About 50 audience members stood, hands over their hearts, as the tribute began with the presentation of the flags and a solo, a capella voice traveling the melody line of the national anthem.
After a pause for lunch, the group quieted and gave Aviles its attention. He began with a brief timeline of Sept. 11 and showed a video with news footage.
Some audience members came to support Aviles, others came to learn about his experiences, and some just wanted to commemorate the day. Each had their own personal story to tell of how, when and where they first heard about the tragedy.
Mary Garcia, Aviles' aunt, was at the store buying shoes for her grandchildren. Gloria Garcia, 16, heard about it on the radio in the computer lab at school. Barbara Maydish, 59, was the first of her colleagues at the Collier County Health Department in Immokalee to find out.
Others were too young to remember the details.
For Adriana Nieto, 11, and Coby De Leon, 12, sixthgraders at Immokalee Community School, commemorative events like Aviles' presentation and lessons in school are some of their first experiences with the images and the stories.
"It's like nothing I've ever imagined could happen," Nieto said. "I never though a plane could knock down such a big building."
De Leon remembered going home from elementary school early on Sept. 11 and seeing the images on TV.
"There was such a great loss," De Leon said. It just got squished. Scary."
Aviles also showed personal pictures, including images of the landscape of Afghanistan, buildings, American soldiers and Afghani children and adults.
"Ever since 9/11 we've been influenced so much by what we see or hear that we think all people from the Middle East are terrorists," Aviles said. "They're not. These people are like me and you. They just happen to be in a country where the government was corrupt and alQaida was able to form. Their primary mission was to help train the Afghan army, including recruitment and basic training. He also helped carry out humanitarian missions throughout the country, bringing supplies to orphanages and refugee camps and helping to build schools.
Now, Aviles is readjusting to life at home. It takes time, he said, but the support of family, friends and the community has made it easier.
Aviles presented seven flags that used to fly over his camp in Kabul to thank people for their support. They went to Immokalee schools, the Sheriff's Office where Aviles still works as a deputy, to other community leaders and finally, to his wife of 16 years, Terrie.
"It was I guess, a day at a time," Aviles said about being away from Terrie and their two daughters, Lizi, 12, and Leti, 16.
"For me, it was always Monday. I never paid attention to the day of the week, the month. With that attitude I was just there until my obligation came to an end."
Two trumpeters from the Immokalee High School band, Luis Rodriguez, 17, and Christina Hinojosa, 16, closed the event with taps.
Rodriguez, a 12thgrader who played the lead, wasn't nervous at
football boots sale all when the presentation began, he said. But then, as it went on, he felt the butterflies kick in.
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