By Noe Dorestant, E.E.

Statue of Haitian President Alexandre Petion, immortalized on the Champ de Mars of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where he is revered as the father of the Panamerican movement, who helped Simon Bolivar to liberate South American countries such as Venezuela and Colombia.

Historical bay of Jacmel, Haiti, birth place of the Venezuelan and Columbian flags. The red and blue in either of these two flags symbolize Haiti's contribution to the independence of these neighboring sisters countries joined by the eternal vast sea/ocean that connects all of humanity fluidly on planet earth.

Haitians of all colors freely coexisting while pusuing the universal human search for: Liberty, Equality, Justice, Security, Fraternity and human hapiness on a beach in the vincinity Jacmel, Haiti W.I. region made famous by the past historical encounter and negociation between Alexandre Petion and Simon Bolivar in their search for the liberation of their brothers and sisters in South America who were still under the yoke of Colonial powers.

Statue of Simon Bolivar the Liberator of Columbia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru and Bolivia immortalized near the Torch of Friendship at Bayside, Miami, a reflection of the cultural, historical and international diversities of this community.

A bird eye view of the Port of Miami and Miami Beach afar at dusk.

A view of the city of Miami as seen from the top of the tallest building in downtown Miami at 200 South Biscayne Boulevard, 55th floor.

It was a special event and a historical moment to be present as the Chairman of the Haitian-American Association of Engineers and Scientists (H.A.E.S), when the announcement was made by Jaime Davila, one of the leader of the Board of Directors of C.A.S.A. (Colombian American Service Association)in recognition of Haiti's well known contribution to the struggle of Simon Bolivar to help Columbia gain its Independence. He stated that eligibility to the Simon Bolivar's scholarship will be extended to qualified Haitian applicants for the first time in the year 2001. It was truly a time to reflect on Haiti's historical past and its accomplishment in the struggle for freedom and Independence for what was known once upon a time as the family of nations of "Gran Colombia". .

International Esquire, Jaime Davila member of the Board of Directors of C.A.S.A. (Colombian American Service Association) announcing to the public, that qualified Haitian students will be eligible to apply for the Simon's Bolivar Scholarship starting in the year 2000. This gesture is a token of Colombian's gratitude in recognition of Haitian contribution to the Independence of Colombia.

"Simon Bolivar a native of Venezuela, also known as the Liberator, proclaimed his country independent around 1812, but was later defeated by the troops of Ferdinand VII of Spain and was forced to flee to Jamaica with his companion of arms at the end of 1815. From there he went to the southern city of Cayes, Haiti, where he and his peers were well received by the Haitian General Marion and the population. He later made his way to the Capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince, where he met with Haitian President, Alexandre Petion who supported his noble causes for independence and nicknamed him "the author for independence in South America". In the city of Cayes, Bolivar received weapons and ammunitions and was even granted the permission to enroll Haitian freedom fighters who wanted to devote their life for this noble cause of liberty. President Petion only ask one thing of Bolivar: to liberate the slaves in all the countries that he would have liberated. Bolivar returned to his country ready to put his pledge to Petion into action and began by liberating his own slaves on his plantation of San-Mateo. However when he proclaimed general freedom for all slaves, all slave-owners and even his own lieutenants turned against him and was forced again to seek exile in Haiti, this time in the city of Jacmel where he spent six months, it was in the Bay of Jacmel (Southeast city of Haiti) that the design of the flags of both Venezuela and Colombia were conceived. He later returned to South America after many struggles and fierce battles, Bolivar and his army made in part of Haitian freedom fighters defeated the Spanish Imperial army in Colombia and won that country independence in 1819. He liberated his country Venezuela, this time for good in 1821 and Ecuador in 1822. As President, he helped the unification of Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador into the Gran Colombia. He also helped with the liberation of Peru and Bolivia (Upper Peru) which was named after Simon Bolivar, one of South America's greatest liberator."

An all women Caribbean band animating the event with Colombian music.

HAES Chairman, Noe Dorestant dancing to Colombian music with a Leader of the South Florida Consular Cup Organization, Charlene Thomas of Surinam.

As a Haitian, I must acknowledge that the Board of Directors of CASA, which professed aims is to: " improve the community by promoting self-reliance and strengthening the immigrant families and serving those in need", have by this simple gesture of gratitude paid recognition in their own way publicly to our Haitian ancestors who had fought for their freedom and have included us, the descendents of our Haitian brave ancestors in their celebration as distinguished guests.

We truly hope that: as we reflect on Colombia Independence Day, that we will again realized that freedom cannot be bought, but must be earned by those who devote their life to struggle, cherish and preserve it day in and day out, so that tyranny and human exploitation by other fellow human ceases on the face of this God made Earth that no one shall inherit. Let us not forget the lesson of the past and take for granted what our ancestors have done. We must with the use of education wise up to become more enlightened as positive citizens of our country of origin and better residents of whatever community we have chosen to live in. So that future generation can continue to look truly in us, as those and the descents of those who have contributed to freedom and liberty not just for ourselves but also for our neighbors, regardless of the pigmentation of our skins and/or our nationalities.

Happy Independence day and long live the Independent nation of Colombia!

Written by: Noe Dorestant on July 30th, 2000.

Note: All pictures were provided by Noe Dorestant as a token of his civic contribution to help promote Haitians and the community in which they reside. If you copy and plan to reuse any of these picture. PS give credit to the originator. All rights reserved 2000. Web page designed by Noe Dorestant, updated on February 13th, 2001 to complete with Haiti's pictures of Alexandre Petion and Historical Bay of Jacmel.