By Ana Campos
Florida Co-state Coordinator
I had a reality check this past weekend and I felt compelled to share it with others. Our group was invited by the Bryan Pata family (the University of Miami football player who was murdered 1-1/2 years ago) to have an information table and be guest speakers at their beautiful "Back to School/Stop the Gun Violence" event in his honor in Liberty City, Miami.
We spent some time planning for this event, figuring out what to say, looking for volunteers, worrying about making copies of our flyers and arranging carpools, etc.
When we arrived at the event it was about 100 degrees, Tropical Storm Fay was headed our way and we were running a little late. LOL we were distracted by some challenges - but our hearts were so filled with joy and excitement!
And the  n the Army, set up their information table right next to ours!
Our six pairs of eyes were wide open followed by 10 seconds of anxiety. They looked at us, we looked at them; they loooooked at us..... It was a little weird, a little movie-ish.
We immediately realized everything happens for a reason. Throughout the day, one by one, we walked towards the opportunity. We each spent time walking over to the Army table, talking with the soldiers, befriending them, honoring them, appreciating them and handing them Department of Peace flyers, as well as hundreds of other people.
By the end of the day, each soldier gave us positive feedback saying thank you and "YES, we KNOW, we UNDERSTAND what you are about and that you support us. Thanks!" And then we asked them to take a photo with us! Check out our TABLING photo album.
And then Robert Bozeman came over to our table. He said, "Tell me what I can do. How can I help pass this bill? I'll go to my Congressman, I'll be your spokesperson, I'll go before Congress. We need to prevent violence. Let me tell you my story."
He's 25 years old and speaks up against violence in the community. On February 28, 2005 when he was 22 years old, he was shot at 18 times in front of 32 witnesses. He's missing half of his skull and has a beautiful smile. He is also a living crime statistic that we talk about and he's a walking miracle.
Meeting him puts things and life into perspective. When I have a bad day or get bummed or we start fussing about meetings, copying flyers, walks, donations - thinking about Robert will always remind us of a living, breathing, feeling example of exactly why we're doing this and why we need this.
These are his videos - please watch one:
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