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Messages from Gerardo, Tony and Ramón
to their brother Fernando
FROM
VICTORVILLE
Fernando the giant
IN
each of the Five there is something more or less
unique about us. For example Ramon is the tallest
one, closely followed by René, Fernando happens to
be the one who is the least in physical stature,
while I took away second place in that category by
beating out Tony by a hair. Fernando’s “title” in
this category is based partly on affection, but also
for our deeply rooted professional custom of
avoiding names, so sometimes we would call him “the
small one”.
What
I have said here may seem odd and flippant, but in
these days of joy and anxiety, with only a few hours
separating Fernando from his freedom, (and hopefully
also for his quick return) I am remembering so many
signs of greatness inherent in our brother. I am
reflecting on the irony of first calling him “small”
to now refer to him as a giant of a person.
When
we were arrested, Fernando had several extra reasons
to feel anguish, pain, frustration…In baseball
terms, something Fernando likes a lot, he often
threw complete games, but this time his mission in
Miami was that of a short reliever. He was scheduled
to return to Cuba soon. His wedding was rapidly
approaching. His bride, the warrior Rosa who
sacrificed everything in her life for him, almost
had her wedding dress on. Even with all this we
never heard any lamenting from the giant.
I
witnessed when his lawyer from the trial, Joaquin
Mendez, told him, with all his best professional
advice, that given the lesser seriousness of the
charges against him, any lawyer would suggest that
he opt out and be tried separately from the others
as the best legal strategy. The response from
Fernando, as well as René who received a similar
suggestion, was emphatic and unequivocal.
Fifteen and a half years later, Fernando, like René,
will come out of prison with his head held high.
They gave him nothing. His sentence was the maximum
possible, and the time discounted for good behavior
he earned, and by law they had to give it to him.
Today those who love him and admire him will
celebrate. We are convinced that our struggle will
be strengthened and reinforced with another standard
bearer. We send Fernando a big embrace and say:
Congratulations Giant!
Thanks for your example!
Gerardo Hernández Nordelo
Victorville
Penitentiary California
February 25, 2014
•
FERNANDO: 100%
CUBAN
Tony Guerrero,
February 28, 2014
Dear
friends,
Everything indicated that our brother Fernando would
be in the homeland today, but I have become
accustomed to taking things objectively and calmly.
I therefore decided to be optimistic, but not
excessively.
Around 11 here, I called my mother’s cell phone. My
sister answered. They were on their way to the
airport. Mom was working on her visa paperwork. I
talked with Rene, who’s always tremendously happy. I
told him to give Fernando a hug for me.
But,
forget it, before leaving for work, 12:25 pm here, I
couldn’t wait and called again.
As
soon as I heard the voices behind my mother’s, I
said to myself, “The man’s there!” And, in fact, I
heard my mother say, “He’s talking with Alarcón.”
I
said to her, “Tell Alarcón to give me a chance.”
There is no way to describe what I felt hearing the
voice of our brother and knowing he was on Cuban
soil. I had only a few minutes to talk, because at
12:30 pm they cut communications until 4:30 pm.
Nevertheless, we talked about many things. I
commented on the lines I had written yesterday,
recalling our re-encounter in Miami and he agreed
that I couldn’t literally write what he had said to
me that day, as we reflected on the years we still
had to serve. He only said, “You see, I kept my
word.”
What
a surprise when he asked me how the flowers project
was going. I told him, “Wind in the sails, I have 10
more to do. I added that I had sketches for another
15 watercolors about the seven months of the trial
and explained that I was going to need his and
René’s help. He answered quickly, “Send it this
way.”
As
we were finishing, I chided him, “Listen up, did
René give you the hug I sent?” And he answered,
“Well, he gave me a kiss and a hug, and he said the
hug was his.”
That’s Fernando, 100% Cuban and forever faithful.
Today there is happiness in the air and more
freedom.
Five strong
embraces!
¡Venceremos!
Tony Guerrero
Rodríguez
February 28, 2014
2:40 pm •
FERNANDO RETURNS WITH HIS HEAD HELD HIGH
My
brother Fernando,
Today our brother Fernando González has achieved his
freedom. What joy and jubilation we feel for him!
For
the Five of us, we each lived this experience as our
own. And it truly is so.
One
good day we decided to join together to never allow
ourselves to be defeated, which is, and will be, the
case forever.
I
remember Fernando in that difficult hole in Miami.
What most impacted me was his furrowed face and his
firmness despite efforts to break us and make us
cooperate. Others, on the contrary, taller (but not
larger) and stronger (but not in value) weakened and
sold out.
This
life experience is a treasure I will remember
eternally.
With
Fernando, we all, in some way, return. In him, as in
René, is the essence of all of us, our energy, our
way of fighting and winning.
It
is a half joy, since the truth is he served an
unjust sentence to the last second, a sentence he
should never have had to serve.
We
cannot allow anyone to continue serving this unjust
sentence. We owe it to Gerardo and to the beautiful
history of our people.
The
struggle has been reinforced, victory is certain!
Today Fernando returns to our beloved homeland with
his head held high and his conscience clean. We will
follow.
Along with the embrace and affection of your people
and family, accept ours as well, dear brother.
¡Hasta la
victoria siempre! Ramón
FCI Ashland,
Kentucky
February 28, 2014
11:38 am •
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