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LAREDO, Texas – Standstill traffic is not uncommon on the
Lincoln-Juarez International Bridge linking the United States and
Mexico. On the morning of Feb. 21, 2015 ... there were no cars ...
instead scores of people were standing.
At the middle
of the bridge, Americans and Mexicans waited together for the
ceremony to begin. National anthems were sung. Prayers were said.
Speeches were delivered. But the crowd was waiting for what came
next.
Dignitaries from both countries walked to the center of
the bridge to exchange abrazos, or embraces, with their counterparts
and to show their neighborliness during the International Bridge
Ceremony, part of the 118th George Washington Birthday Celebration
in Laredo, Texas.
Two children from each country, dressed in
historical clothes, began the ceremony by meeting in the middle of
the bridge, embracing (or abrazando), and exchanging each other's
flags.
The International Bridge Ceremony at the Lincoln-Juarez bridge in Laredo, Texas, begins with two children from the United States and two children from Mexico abrazando, or embracing, at the center of the bridge. The ceremony commemorates the bonds between the United States and Mexico and features a series of abrazos,
or embraces, between representatives of the two countries in the
center of the bridge. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt.
Michael Vanpool, 36th Infantry Division Public Affairs) |
After the children, dignitaries begin
exchanging their abrazos, including Brig. Gen. Orlando
Salinas, the deputy assistant adjutant general for the Texas
Army National Guard. At the middle of the bridge, Salinas
met and exchanged an abrazo with Mexican General de Brigada
Georges Andre Van Lissum Gomez.
“Having this
opportunity to meet the general and being that military
liaison between the two countries is always a good
opportunity to learn from each other,” Salinas said.
Following the abrazo, Salinas escorted his counterpart to
the American side. Tradition dictates that the Americans
invite the Mexicans to the city of Laredo. For the past few
decades, they have been treated to a parade that gathers
thousands of people.
“Our ability to meet with and
continue military relations with the Mexican army is of
paramount importance as we work towards the safety of not
just the nation, but also the state of Texas,” Salinas said.
The abrazo was a part of Salinas's role as the honorary
air marshal of this year's Washington's Birthday
celebration. The prior week, he oversaw the Stars and
Stripes Air Show Spectacular.
Salinas commanded the
3rd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry
Division, based in the Rio Grande Valley. Many of his
Soldiers were from Laredo, a city known for rallying around
its service members throughout the years. This was
especially true when they deployed to Afghanistan for
Operation Enduring Freedom.
“Laredo has always held
a special place in my heart,” Salinas said. “Laredo's
support of the men and women in uniform is some of the best
support I've ever seen.”
The tradition of abrazando,
or embracing, on the bridge began in 1898. It started as a
simple sign of goodwill between neighbors and now represents
the shared heritage of the sister cities of Laredo, Texas,
and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas.
“For those of us who
live on the border,” said Veronica Castillon, President of
the Washington's Birthday Celebration Association, “the
International Bridge Ceremony is a reminder that Laredo and
Nuevo Laredo share more than a river. We share family,
business and a cultural heritage that bind us as one
community.”
The cities also recognized their shared
lineage as former members of the Republic of the Rio Grande,
an independent nation that lasted 294 days in 1840. The
sisterhood of the two cities remains, as does the
short-lived country's flag. Throughout the ceremony, the
three-starred, red, white, and black flag joined the
signature six flags of Texas in honor of their unique
history.
R. Gil Kerlikowske, the commissioner of U.S.
Customs and Border Protection, delivered the keynote speech
at the event. He said that the goodwill exchanged between
the sister cities has reinforced a strong neighborly bond,
rich with patriotism.
For the city of Laredo, the
George Washington Birthday Celebration is a month of
festivities, with events ranging from parades and pageants
to air shows and fireworks.
The celebration evolved
over the years, from a patriotic memorial of America's first
president to a celebration that unites the sister cities.
The meetings between civil and military officials from both
sides of the bridge aim to honor their mutual histories.
More photos available in frame below
By U.S. Army National Guard Sgt. Michael Vanpool
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2015
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