Our County, Our Country, Our Stories
250 Reasons to Celebrate Together
At the 234th anniversary, a young man arrived with a suitcase full of questions and a heart wide enough to hold the world. South Florida did not ask him to choose, it offered him a classroom instead. Here, the air speaks in many accents: English bending into, Creole, Spanish, and more Every party is a contest of flag, identity So many cultures in the same cup of hope, stirring dreams of a better future. He walks beneath royal palms and skyline glass, hearing stories in every rhythm. From Little Haiti “konpa night & griot” – plus pikliz to Little Havana’s domino tables, and the drums that echo through Caribbean nights. This is more than a region; it is a mosaic breathing in color, a thousand flags folded into one sky. Under this bright umbrella of humanity, difference is not division it is harmony. A global family gathered by saltwater and courage. And in this place, he feels complete. Not because he has everything, but because he belongs. The young man who once searched now understands. He has grown steadier, weathered like the coastline after a storm more mature, more resilient, rooted in purpose. He stands with pride, aware that he is part of something older and larger two hundred and fifty years of striving toward peace, freedom, liberty, and justice for all. His universal heart beats with this city’s pulse. In South Florida, he did not just find a home, he found the culture of together.
The Privilege of Service
From the vibrant, bustling streets of Barranquilla to the skyline of Downtown Miami, my journey has been defined by one word: opportunity. As an immigrant currently in the final stages of becoming a U.S. citizen, the 250th anniversary of this nation feels deeply personal. It is not just a date on a calendar; it is the finish line of a long dream and the starting line of my official belonging. Working in Internal Compliance for Miami-Dade County is how I honor this opportunity. I learned early on that true freedom requires order and integrity. Every day, I work to ensure that the systems sustaining our community are sound, fair, and efficient. For me, America represents the promise that if you have discipline and respect the law, you can build a life of dignity. To celebrate 250 years of the United States is to celebrate the very ground that allowed me to reinvent myself. I am proud to be part of Miami-Dade’s story—not just as a resident, but as a future citizen and a guardian of its public trust.
Small Actions, Lasting Impact
Working in public service has taught me that democracy is not only shaped in historic halls or at election sites—it is also built quietly, every day, in our neighborhoods. In Miami-Dade County, I see this most clearly through service to our most vulnerable populations, including animals and the people who care for them. For me, the promise of America has always been about opportunity paired with responsibility. My family came to believe in a country where effort mattered and where giving back was not optional—it was expected. That belief guides my work today. When I help a resident protect their community, access services, or care for animals humanely, I am witnessing freedom in action: the freedom to participate, to improve conditions, and to be part of something larger than oneself. As we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States, I think about the future we are building in Miami-Dade County. A future where compassion and accountability go hand in hand. Where government is not distant, but present. Where progress is measured not only by growth, but by how well we care for one another—people and animals alike. The American story is still being written. I am proud to contribute my chapter through service, empathy, and the belief that small, consistent actions can strengthen our democracy for generations to come.
A Reflection for America at 250: A Promise Tested; A Conscience Stirred
America’s 250 year story has always been shaped by immigrants who arrived with hope and courage, believing this land offered possibility, not fear. As an immigrant I know by our equally long history, now being erased, that our labor-built cities, tilled fields, and fueled innovation; our cultures enriched the national fabric. Often, our faith in America exceeded America’s faith in its own self. This spirit that endures at the Statue of Liberty, whose torch became a global symbol of welcome. Its inscription “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free” is not mere poetry. It is a declaration of identity, a promise to the world, and a reminder of who we aspired to be. Today, that promise is being tested. Policies driven by fear, rhetoric steeped in division, and actions rooted in exclusion now cast a shadow. The torch of liberty flickers under the weight of mistrust. This disappointment is not cynicism it is love: love for the ideals that shaped this country, for the belief that America is strongest when it opens its arms. Freedom loses meaning when it is not shared. We cannot honor the founding principles while turning away those seeking refuge and dignity. This is a time of reflection and renewal because the same courage that built America can restore its commitment to compassion. At 250 years, the nation stands at a crossroads: one path narrows who belongs; the other reclaims the expansive promise etched at Liberty’s feet. The choice will define the next century.
An Immigrant’s Gratitude
My American journey began at the age of six, when my parents made the life-altering decision to leave Cuba and bring my brother and me to Miami. They sacrificed everything they knew—family, comfort, and certainty — to free us from the tyranny and dictatorship that defined life in their homeland. What they gave us was far greater than material security; they gave us the opportunity to live in freedom, to dream without fear, and to shape our own future. Growing up in the United States instilled in me a deep love for this country and an appreciation for the values it stands for: liberty, opportunity, and service. That love compelled me to serve eight years in the United States Army, where I learned discipline, leadership, and the true meaning of selfless service. Wearing the uniform was my first opportunity to give back to a nation that had given my family everything. Today, I am proud to serve as the Division Director of the Water Transmission and Distribution Division for Miami-Dade County. In this role, I continue to repay my debt to this country by serving the community that welcomed my family decades ago. Every day, I work to ensure reliable and safe water service for our residents, knowing that public service is one of the highest expressions of gratitude. As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, I remain forever thankful for the freedom this nation provides my family and me. My journey is a testament to the promise of America—and to the enduring power of service, sacrifice, and opportunity.