Armando Garcia: A Story of the American Spirit

By Daniel R. Bustamante

As Congress struggles to pass historic immigration legislation providing 11 million undocumented residents with a path to citizenship, this is a story of tolerance and empathy for the millions of people who desperately seek legal status, and a tribute to one man’s quest to become an American.

The American dream has spurred millions of brave souls to abandon their lands of origin and embark into a hopeful future. Every family in America is a descendant of immigrants, and there is one common denominator shared by all who ventured unto this land of freedom. They all dreamt of a better life and the hope that the children who would follow would have a higher quality life than that of their parents.

My friend Armando Garcia was one of these brave adventurers, who 20 years ago risked much to enter this country undocumented. This meant that he lived his life on the fringes of society for the hope of a bright future. He was accompanied daily with the threat of deportation and lived each day under the weight of terror and the harsh reality, that at any moment, he could be separated from his family.

Like my ancestors a century ago, the immigrants of today do the thankless, tedious work, which we who are more fortunate don’t have to consider, and take for granted. They do the tough, dirty work. They cook, clean, maintain and beautify our homes and help raise our children. They are part of the cycle of our American dream, to have others do the work so we don’t have to.

As the generations pass from one to the next, our family histories obscure, and few of us know the details that impelled our ancestors to leave their country of origin, their homes and loved ones. Like most Americans, I was insensitive toward the plight faced by the immigrants of today, even though my great-grandfather, Caspar Von Nessman, arrived here from Austria over a hundred years ago with no prospects, speaking little or no English. He had to contend with the prejudices confronted by the immigrants of his generation, which I’m sure are similar to the obstacles the new want-to-be Americans of today face.

With all the challenges Armando encountered, he endured, worked hard, learned English, and secured his future here. He married his sweetheart, Maribel, and together, they had two beautiful children, Fabian (8) and Andrea (1). Armando’s children are Americans, and their legal status fulfills his dream, sacrifices, and proves his success. They would have what he didn’t - citizenship - and all the opportunities and responsibilities that come with it.

He happily endured the physical toll of his employment and was determined to provide a better life for them. More than anything, it was important to him that his children be well educated. This goal and the hope that his children would one day attend college sustained him.

Armando was on track for his own citizenship. I knew this was important to him when we became friends while he worked on a landscaping project at my home eight years ago. Armando distinguished himself from the other nameless men who worked on my home by thanking me at the end of the job. He told me that he was appreciative of the work and the help it afforded his family. I liked him from that moment, and had no idea that over the following eight years, we would become great friends. Our children played together, our families socialized, and as I became increasingly aware of how my friend handled immigrant life, I came to admire deeply his grit, determination and spirit. He opened my eyes and heart to the plight of his people, of immigrants, and through our friendship, he improved me as a human by creating empathy in me for those who yearn to be Americans.

Armando’s character was clearly evident when I became ill several years ago. During a lengthy course of chemotherapy, I hadn’t spoke with him for some time, and one morning I heard a commotion in my backyard only to see him enthusiastically taking care of my yard work, work that I used to enjoy doing, but was now unable to do.

I went outside and asked Armando what he was doing, and he replied that he was there to help me, to do the chores I couldn’t. He checked in on me frequently and would bring me tasty meals that his wife Maribel cooked for my pleasure. With all that he was responsible for in his own life, he still found the time to assist me in my time of trouble.

Armando was truly my friend, selfless and caring, a good man. Our friendship ended on April 2, when at age 38, he was the innocent victim of a head-on collision on his morning commute to work. He died tragically on Laguna Canyon Road when another car careened into his lane, killing him instantly. In a moment, his dreams lay mangled on a street in picturesque Laguna Beach, California. Sadly, just days after his death, he received the Department of Immigration’s approval to apply for legal status.

I read about the accident in the newspaper, but had no idea Armando was a victim until the following day, when Maribel sent his brother to my house informing me of the painful news. Even through her suffering, she had to share her loss with me, that her husband and my friend was gone. I didn’t know until that moment that I had meant as much to Armando as he did to me. Armando impacted many in his life, and the hundreds who attended his funeral attest to his goodness. He embodied the true American spirit, and the loss of this one man diminishes us all.

His children will never know the man who was my friend, and it is my fate and privilege to write this story to inspire them to fulfill his dream of pursuing higher education and earning a share of the American dream. Until we meet again Armando, mi amigo.

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The Armando Garcia Contribution Trust has been established to support the higher educational goals he so desired for his children. Donations can be made to:

The Armando Garcia Contribution Trust – Acct. #325015578299
Bank of America
30162 Crown Valley Parkway
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Direct deposits, bank transfers, online donations and mail-in donations are accepted.

PayPal donation link below. Clink link or cut/paste or enter into your browser:

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=3GRHK3BFQG838