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Changing Plans, Changing Lives

Updated on September 20, 2012
Chiricahua mountains
Chiricahua mountains | Source
A
2174 west oak ave, douglas az:
2174 W Oak Ave, Douglas, AZ 85607, USA

get directions

The United States Border Patrol is the single most dangerous job in U.S. federal law enforcement anywhere in the world.

Certainly, each Border Patrol Agent in the field must have the ability to protect himself and others. Most Agents are on duty alone and often in remote and dark border country far from any backup or support.

The Immigrant

Why do these people cross the border knowing that they may die, get caught or simply bump into the wrong crowd at the wrong moment? This is the story of Martin Suarez, the guy who helped Juan Garcia from our, "Either you or me" story. The research has taken 3 days and the events and accounts could've happenned to so many lost souls... that never made it into what they called Liberty.


Cochise County

Arizona

Mexico/US Border

Ravaged vultures were about to eat away the hopes of a dead or dehydrated immigrant. A Border patrol on a shift turn arrives at 9:45 a.m to the scene, warned by those birds of prey. Is already hot and they, the forecasters, were expecting a 116 degrees of pure hell. Michael Polonis, 37, knew of these incidents and was ready for the worse. Immediately, he chased away these vultures by shooting into the air his Berretta 96D "Brigadier" pistol , and tried to cover the dry body with a thick blanket for cold nights. Thinking to himself and checking this immigrant's vital signs, he feels heart activity. "Wow! he is almost death or just succumbed to this muggy weather, Agent Polinis mumbled. "God, and he was so young!"

Without delay, he got hold of his two-way transmitter and reached the Douglas City Border headquarters dispatch. He noticed that this kid's book bag contained a small notebook. "F***! This kid kept a record of his journey, but is in freaking Spanish! Gotta be kiding me!"


Naco AZ, U.S. Border entry point
Naco AZ, U.S. Border entry point | Source

Few minutes later...

Walt Thomson arrived a few minutes later, he was one of Michael's comrades who came as fast as he could. "found another car near Naco, with 3 bodies inside this Chevrolet Impala's trunk. All died due to suffocation and asphyxia."

Seems that these Coyote smugglers left this cargo to die. But someone shot bullets on the car; this reminds me of a vendetta. Michael responds, "and this kid was just 3 miles north. I would love to find out what really happened. Three lives that were not spared. But I think we can save this one..."


Douglas City AZ

Border Detention Center

4 hours later

Mike was thinking of an idea, and took the notebook dairy with him. He did pay a visit to this kid at the South East Medical Center. Mike was still in shock. Even though it was his job, he felt empathy for this souls. What really broke his heart was this sacred medal that this kid had around his neck. It was stained with purple seeds from prickly tuna pear cactus. What was the story behind all this?

His wife was waiting home for him and she was the one chosen to help him. Her name was Martha, Chicano descendant who knew Spanish. Her great grandparents fought with legendary 'Pancho Villa.' For some reason Michael Polonis was linked to that 'South of the Border.'


A
Naco AZ:
Naco, AZ, USA

get directions

B
Douglas City AZ:
Douglas, AZ, USA

get directions

C
Tucson AZ:
Tucson, AZ, USA

get directions

Santa Ana

Sonora Mexico

Local Cathedral

Martin Suarez is finally spotted with his mom going to church at "Nuestra Señora de Santa Ana." Doña Maria Suarez, his mom, made sure her son was ready to assist to mass every Sunday morning. His father was a cattleman who died when he was just four. Martin inherited his dad's height and his mom's eyes and smile. They were Pima tribe descendants and their slanted eyes could not hide that indigenous past. Ever since the Cartels wanted to recruit Martin who was already 19, he wanted to leave all and hit the Border. His mom was not happy with his decision, but it was a matter of life as an informant for the big shot drug dealers, or dead at any corner at any minute.

One morning Martin's mom asked priest Padre Pinto to bless a very well crafted religious necklace with the face of the City's 'Patrona Santa Ana.' after virgin Mary's mom. She felt as though that would keep her 'little' Martin safe at all times.

Sonoran desert sunset
Sonoran desert sunset | Source

Naco Arizona

The Polonis Home

That evening

Martha Gonzalez, wasn't too happy for him to bring this dairy home. "You could've been spotted by gang members, border bandits, or drug smugglers. I cannot believe you did this," said Martha showing her concerns and kind of upset. She was fixing their dinner. "Please Martha, just give a shot. We all have families, and he must've been married, or who knows...."

Martha put her guard down and sat next to her hubby, just to read this mysterious notebook. "This kid could've been a reporter. His writing is phenomenal..."

Suddenly her reading takes her back, 2 months before the incident...


Cochise County Border U.S.-Mexico
Cochise County Border U.S.-Mexico | Source

Cochise County Border

10 miles east from Naco AZ

The night before ...

Martin and his three friends are heading to the border as prompted, and jumped a wired fence, On the other side a black Chevy Impala was waiting. It was 2 a.m. The coyotes made signs with their cells as flash lights. Nervousness and panicking took invaded the four young men, who were ordered to get into the trunk immediately. "This is not a game 'gueys!' Get in the trunk now!" says one of the smuggling drivers. They were on American soil for the first time.

All seemed normal when Martin asked for a 'bathroom.' The fetid odour made them stop on the side of the Border highway and the smugglers cursed Martin off. "I swear I wanted to take a shit..!" That was all Martin had to say while running into the bushes. Suddenly, a dark blue Ford f 150 raptor approached to them from the opposite side with relentless speed.

They were highway bandits and the Coyotes knew it. They decided to abort the enterprise and abandon 'the human cargo of three' and run for their lives hiding down a hill on the side of the road. Suddenly, the Ford truck madmen started firing 'drive shooting style' on Chevy's driver's side, and on two of the closest tires. Martin fled as soon as he heard the impact of the bullets. He knew he had no other choice. It was 3:15 a.m.

During The Night

Martin has been running for three hours north west. His lips were already sore, and his body was already claiming for some precious water. He was about to give up....

St. Anne, Mary's mom
St. Anne, Mary's mom | Source
Prickly Tuna Pear Cactus
Prickly Tuna Pear Cactus | Source

In Memoriam: Brian Terry, August 11,1970 - Dec 15, 2010

Brian Terry
Brian Terry | Source

Like witnessing ourselves Martin's ordeal into undeserved purgatory, we saw him fall on his kneed and grab his necklace between his shaking hands. Reddish eyes and dusty eyelids, made us realise that he was in big trouble. "Santa Madre mia No me Abandone..." (Oh Mother of God, do not forsaken me now...)

It was about 5:36 a.m. and the sun was showing up on the eastern mountains. He was able to notice a few prickly tuna pear cactus some feet in front of him. He used to eat them as a child, and knew in his heart that this time his real mom was with him. He was almost dragging just to get to them. He was wise enough to use the sharper edge of the necklace and peel the fruit with dexterity. It was 6:15 a.m. and Martin was lost between hills and the desert of the most arid part of U.S. Territory. He eventually laid himself facing up from this unfair world that wanted to swallow his own hopes.

Fast forward >>>

South East Medical Center,

Douglas, Arizona

Martin responded to the medical care, and woke up at 3:16 p.m. Doctors were surprised by his positive reaction and congratulated him for his strength. "Why did you do this young man?" asked a nurse. "At least you didn't die like the others..." Martin closed his eyes and some tears rolled down his cheeks.

ON THE NEWS:

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we are developing a story. This is called the 'Douglas Miracle.'.... The Douglas area was first settled by the Spanish in the 18th century, becoming a smelter town, to treat the copper ores of nearby Bisbee, Arizona....

Even though this young man is going to be deported in the next two weeks, we were leaked of a diary he wrote narrating his Calvary... A publisher in D.F. Mexico City is securing the rights to publish his amazing story. Martin Suarez talked to our reporter and he was very concerned about his mom, Doña Maria Suarez. And we don't blame him..! This kid was brave enough, and now he worries about his Mother. What a life! Incredible to say the least. The forecast for today is still breath taking: Partly cloudy in the morning then becoming mostly sunny. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Highs 102 to 106.



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