Starting later this week, Tampa has the honor of hosting the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. for its 89th National Convention.
For those who may not know, a Gold Star mother is one who lost a child who served in our Armed Forces.
We — a Republican and a Democrat — wanted to formally welcome these women to Tampa.
Despite our differing political affiliations, we have ties that bind. We are both from Cuban-American families, and are very proud of that. Both of our families fled Communist Cuba to seek American liberty. Both of us love our country. We are both fathers of wonderful children. And we are both grateful for these Gold Star women.
We recognize and salute them.
We recognize their journey and painful memories. We can not imagine the daily loss they carry — memories of having a child and being a fighter who raises that child. We recognize the daily struggle to become strong in the most broken of all places. We can only imagine the painful dreams and everyday life occurrences that remind them of what they have lost. The journey never ends.
We recognize the honor that exists in their sacrifice and journey. From the fallen at Lexington and Concord to the fallen in places like Pearl Harbor, Iwo Jima, Inchon, Khe Sanh, Fallujah, Sangin and Kabul at Abbey Gate — American Honor exists in the names of these heroes and their Gold Star families who carry on. The mourning these women endure represents American honor at its best.
We recognize the duty this sacrifice places on us all. We have a duty to lead lives that honor this sacrifice. We honor it by seeing the good in one another, despite our differences. We honor it by blessing those Gold Star families who mourn, in the spirit of the Beatitudes. We honor it by loving our country in word, deed and heart.
And we honor that sacrifice by remembering the fallen. That means going to the holy lands where these heroes rest, and where families weep. Next time you go to Arlington National Cemetery, take a walk to find the fallen. See local heroes like Corporal Frank Gross, Sgt. Wilbert Davis, Sgt. Ryan Knauss and Chief Warrant Officer Scott Dyer in Section 60; find Private Felix Longoria in Section 34. Pay respects to the Tampa-area Medal of Honor recipient, Sgt. First Class Paul Ray Smith in Section 67.
In Tampa, go to Memorial Park Cemetery, home to so many African-American fallen heroes or Centro Asturiano Memorial Park, where Medal of Honor recipient Baldemero Lopez and his Gold Star parents rest. Know their names and see where their families wept for their loss.
Know that these families come from different faiths, cultures and beliefs, but are united by their greatest grief and the most honorable sacrifice.
We are thankful that the president of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. is from the Tampa area: Annette Kirk. Mrs. Kirk is a proud Army veteran. Her late son and hero is Private First Class Paul Orazio Cuzzupe II. Private Cuzzupe was a young man who did the most idealistic thing a young person can do: He enlisted in our military in a post-9/11 world. And on Aug. 8, 2010, in Afghanistan, this Armwood High School graduate and 23-year-old gave his all. We honor Annette Kirk and all of the women — and associated families — coming to Tampa.
To all of the patriotic women of the American Gold Star Mothers, we welcome you. We honor you and recognize the pain you carry every day. And we hope you have a memorable time here in our patriotic Tampa area.
Luis Viera, a Democrat, is a member of the Tampa City Council. Danny Alvarez, a Republican, is a member of the Florida House of Representatives.