44 years ago,my life changed

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - 44 years ago,my life changed (Page 1 of 3)

Posted: 1/31/2006 7:32:48 AM EDT

Today is a landmark in my life.

44 years ago,I landed at Miami's International Airport with my father,step-mother,sister and brother.
My parents did not want me to be indoctrinated in communism,or more likely,to be thrown in jail for trying to overthrow Castro's government.
Our passports,upon arrival, were clearly stamped:PAROLEE as to our legal status.A clear reminder that we were here as guests of the good and kind citizens of the US.

We had lived through the Bay of Pigs invasion in April 1961, and had long before been labeled anti-Castro.We were consequently, being watched by the "Neighborhood Committees for the Defense of the Revolution",which were nothing more than a bunch of pro-Castro neighbors who watched everyone and reported (to the government) on what went on on their block.
We had 2 of those ,one on each side of the street!.Always competing with each other for the "privilege" of turning a dissident neighbor to the authorities as proof of their loyalty to the government

I registered in school(7th grade,Citrus Grove,in the NW section of Miami) knowing no english.Every lesson had to be translated (with a dictionary) and then studied.The translation often making no sense. due to the various possible meaning of words, depending on the context of the sentence in which it was used.

I wanted to make a change in my life and to thank this great nation for giving us an opportunity to join the "melting pot" and become AMERICANS.What better way to do it that to kill some communists,our mortal enemies at that time?

Fast forward 44 yrs to today, and the best way I can put it is:

I thank God for His kindness,and to this great nation of ours:The United States of America,for opening its door in 1962 and for allowing us to be citizens of a true beacon of democracy and freedom in the world!

May we be able to bring our service men from overseas -both safe and soon- but not before we have accomplished our mission in putting down all attempts by insurgents/terrorists to impose their tyranic and sadistic will on anyone.

God Bless the USA

Posted: 1/31/2006 7:34:57 AM EDT

[#1]

The fortunes that God and this country have made available to you seem to be greatly appreciated. That is very noble

Posted: 1/31/2006 7:35:08 AM EDT

[#2]

Posted: 1/31/2006 7:36:15 AM EDT

[#3]

Good to have you here.

Posted: 1/31/2006 7:36:56 AM EDT

[#4]

Thank you for your service to OUR country Ed.

God bless you and your's.

Posted: 1/31/2006 7:37:47 AM EDT

[#5]

And we're lucky to have you and your family here, Ed.

Posted: 1/31/2006 7:37:56 AM EDT

[#6]

Posted: 1/31/2006 7:38:05 AM EDT

[#7]

Absolutely Boss!

[TEAMAmerica]AMERICA F%@& YEAH![/TeamAmerica]

Posted: 1/31/2006 7:40:13 AM EDT

[#8]

Posted: 1/31/2006 7:40:39 AM EDT

[#9]

Good folks like you are always welcome, and are what help make this country great.

Posted: 1/31/2006 7:40:50 AM EDT

[#10]

Happy Anniversary Ed.

Posted: 1/31/2006 7:41:08 AM EDT

[#11]

Cubans are more American than 70% of natural born Americans. My chest swells with pride and joy everytime I hear stories such as yours. I know another Cuban refugie whom after sailing a makeshift raft from Cuba to Miami, joined the USMC so he could serve the nation that he grew to love.

I wish more Americans were like you and my friend.

Posted: 1/31/2006 7:44:05 AM EDT

[#12]

Happy America!

Posted: 1/31/2006 7:45:15 AM EDT

[#13]

You sir, are truly a GREAT American!

Posted: 1/31/2006 7:45:17 AM EDT

[#14]

In the winter of 1962, the runway at Miami International Airport was opened, and dozens landed in the United States. They came in search of the American Dream. One of them found it on the gun-washed pages of ar15.com...wealth, power, and passion beyond his wildest dreams. He was Edward Avilia. The world will remember him by another name.....EdSr.

Great story.

Posted: 1/31/2006 7:45:39 AM EDT

[#15]

Well said.

We need more Americans like you and yours!

Posted: 1/31/2006 7:46:56 AM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:

I thank God for His kindness,and to this great country of ours:The United States of America,for opening its door in 1962 and for allowing us to be citizens of a true beacon of democracy and freedom in the world!

Eloquently said, sir.

Its our priviledge to know such good Americans as you.

Posted: 1/31/2006 7:47:10 AM EDT

[#17]

America.....F*ck yeah! (looks like wave beat me)

Now if only we could get everyone else to follow your lead and come the LEGAL way.

Posted: 1/31/2006 7:49:13 AM EDT

[#18]

I'm glad you are an AMERICAN!

I never knew about your past and am glad to have you as a "friend".

Posted: 1/31/2006 7:50:37 AM EDT

[#19]

Any success I've had can be attributed to hard work and dilligence, not fortune. There is however one bit of fortune bestowed upon me, and that was being born right here in the United States of America. By virtue of my citizenship, I've had opportunities that some only dream of.

Thanks, Ed. People like me need to hear stories like yours to remind us of how great our country really is. There are some things only an immigrant can truly appreciate, and I love hearing about them. God Bless.

Posted: 1/31/2006 7:51:27 AM EDT

[#20]

Great story Ed... You've lived history in that "been there" way...

Posted: 1/31/2006 7:54:53 AM EDT

[#21]

Ed,

Thank you sir for your service to this country and to us. I would be honored to call you friend. You are welcome in my home anytime. If we do cross paths, the first beer is on me!

Take care,

Kevin
aka Cavu

Posted: 1/31/2006 7:56:30 AM EDT

[#22]

Glad to have you here.

- CD

PS: BTW, we'll gladly trade Cuba our Marxist college professors for any more like you that got left behind.

Posted: 1/31/2006 7:57:33 AM EDT

[#23]

Thanks for the reminder.

Posted: 1/31/2006 7:57:48 AM EDT

[#24]

But I always thought you were Puerto Rican?!?!?! Oh wait, that's Wave....

Seriously, the Avila family is a perfect example of why America is great. I for one am glad as hell to have them here!!

Posted: 1/31/2006 7:58:06 AM EDT

[#25]

Glad you made it!

Posted: 1/31/2006 7:59:01 AM EDT

[#26]

God bless you, Ed Sr!

Posted: 1/31/2006 7:59:41 AM EDT

[#27]

Happy American Day Ed.

This is a great nation because it is a melting pot of people that want to become Americans. Not some xxx-American just American. IMHO

Posted: 1/31/2006 7:59:59 AM EDT

[#28]

Thanks for everything Ed and am glad you and you're family are here.

Here's to 44 more!

Posted: 1/31/2006 8:01:10 AM EDT

[#29]

We're glad to have you here Ed!

Michael

Posted: 1/31/2006 8:01:22 AM EDT

[#30]

It's people like you Ed, that make the United States of a America a great place.

Posted: 1/31/2006 8:07:10 AM EDT

[#31]

Your presence has certainly improved our country.

Now imagine how awesome things would be if everytime we imported an Ed we could export a Ted(Kennedy).

Posted: 1/31/2006 8:07:28 AM EDT

[#32]

Wow!

Thank you for that post. Thank you for your service. Congratulations on your anniversary!

Posted: 1/31/2006 8:09:06 AM EDT

[#33]

Glad you're here Ed.

You know Ed you and your Family have done more for this country than a 10,000 of those idiots at the democratic underground.

We celebrate the fact you made it here and thank you for your service.
Peace be with you and yours.

John

Posted: 1/31/2006 8:09:06 AM EDT

[#34]

One more example that our culture is Freedom.

Posted: 1/31/2006 8:10:31 AM EDT

[#35]

Not only are you a gentleman and a scholar, but you are a great American.

Posted: 1/31/2006 8:10:40 AM EDT

[#36]

Ed, bravo.
What do you think will happen when Castro dies?

Posted: 1/31/2006 8:11:29 AM EDT

[#37]

Quoted:
Good folks like you are always welcome, and are what help make this country great.

Well said.

TXL

Posted: 1/31/2006 8:12:02 AM EDT

[#38]

At the risk of sounding corny, that was touching and powerful.

God Bless.

Mark

Posted: 1/31/2006 8:13:10 AM EDT

[#39]

Been said already and I am sure not one to kiss ass but I am also glad you made it. In more ways than one.

Posted: 1/31/2006 8:13:22 AM EDT

[#40]

Thank you for everything

Posted: 1/31/2006 8:13:43 AM EDT

[#41]

Quoted:
Your presence has certainly improved our country.

Now imagine how awesome things would be if everytime we imported an Ed we could export a Ted(Kennedy).

Posted: 1/31/2006 8:13:48 AM EDT

[#42]

WE're glad you're here!

Posted: 1/31/2006 8:16:49 AM EDT

[#43]

Excellent post! Us immigrants are a fiercely partiotic bunch.

Thanks for you service to this country. Hopefully, Castro will kick the bucket soon and Cuba may be free again!

Posted: 1/31/2006 8:17:40 AM EDT

[#44]

That "kill some communists" part has more meaning than most here will know. The man paid his dues to become an American.

Ed, God bless you and your wonderful family.

Posted: 1/31/2006 8:18:16 AM EDT

[#45]

Someone find me a flag to salute.

Posted: 1/31/2006 8:19:04 AM EDT

[#46]

Quoted:
Good folks like you are always welcome, and are what help make this country great.

Couldn't have said it better myself. You're a good man, Mr. Avila.

Posted: 1/31/2006 8:21:47 AM EDT

[#47]

Welcome aboard.

And THANK YOU for all you have done to preserve our freedom.

Posted: 1/31/2006 8:22:51 AM EDT

[#48]

Occasionally, the American Dream still works.

Posted: 1/31/2006 8:23:08 AM EDT

[#49]

Ok I'm messed up....

You just had your 35th birthday but...

44 years ago you landed here.

Castros math doesn't even work for this

Posted: 1/31/2006 8:26:22 AM EDT

[#50]

Quoted:
Excellent post! Us immigrants are a fiercely partiotic bunch.

Thanks for you service to this country. Hopefully, Castro will kick the bucket soon and Cuba may be free again!

Damn, I knew there was something wrong with you.

/slow on the uptake

GBTW

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - 44 years ago,my life changed (Page 1 of 3)

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