Letters to the Editor

Joan Duran — fallen angel not forgotten

Have you ever met someone who was larger than life? Someone who could fill a room with his smile and energy simply by being there? We have. His name was Joan Duran, and he was our friend, our teammate, and our fellow Alumnus of Boston Latin School.

Following his graduation in 2002, Duran enlisted in the U. S. He served four years and earned the respect of his army colleagues. Following his second tour of duty in Iraq, Duran planned to continue his service to the public by becoming a math teacher. Unfortunately, his promising life came to a sudden end when he was killed on August 10, 2007 in Baquba, Iraq.

While death is never easy, it becomes even crueler when a young life full of potential, vitality, and hope is so abruptly taken away. Duran’s character and his quintessential “can-do” attitude were truly of the highest quality of our generation and his death has been a loss not only to his family and friends, but to the entire Boston community.

However, from tragedy comes hope. Our group of young Boston Latin School Alumni came together to find a way to commemorate the life of our friend and formed the Joan Duran Remembrance Committee.  

Two years after his death, Duran’s legacy has been revitalized. We seek to ensure that future generations are aware of Duran. Our goal is the creation of a permanent Joan Duran Boston Latin School Prize Night Scholarship, to be awarded annually to one graduating member of the senior class.

Our task is by no means easy. In order for the scholarship to be permanently endowed, a minimum of $50,000 is needed. We are kicking off our fundraising efforts at the Boston Teachers Union Hall this Saturday, November 7th, from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. The event is open to the public. For more information please email: BLSRemembersJoanDuran@gmail.com

Church leadership

It is sad that ministers think they should tell their congregation how to vote, rather than educating them on the facts regarding each candidate.

Could it be that Mayor Thomas Menino has certain black ministers in his pocket? Are we to assume that ministers are not in conflict with the interests of their members? Isn’t it wiser to have an educated congregation? And people wonder what is wrong with the Boston black community. Let’s start with leadership. What a shame if the mayor is reelected and the voters can’t say why they voted for him besides reiterating what their pastor says.

Before the pastors present this “united” front they need to unite themselves and allow some new blood to flow in their “leadership.

D. Weeks
Via email