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Students' DARE letters, part 1
Published November 24, 2005
ANDREW CLOETER — Rasco Middle School
Drugs are bad. Smoking is bad. Alcohol is bad. All of these bad things can kill you and the people you love. If you get caught, you can go to jail for a really long time. We celebrate Red Ribbon Week because of Enrique Camerena. He loved our country and would do anything to help. When he was kidnapped and murdered after four years as a Drug Enforcement Agent, his wife and kids made red ribbons in order to remember him. President Ronald Reagan found out about the red ribbons and made Red Ribbon Week a national week of drug awareness in order to honor Enrique Camerena.
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CHRISTIAN COIN — Polk Elementary
Red Ribbon Week. The history of the blood spilled ribbon.
Enrique Camarena, Kiki, was his nickname. Many of his family and friends pronounced his historic name that way. He was born in 1948. He was born to a very poor but loving and caring family. They had neither money nor wants — just think thriving to stay alive. No microwaves, TVs or any of these modern-day appliances that we have today. After Kiki graduated high school he served four years in the Marine Corps. After those four years Kiki served his nation by being a policeman. He went on to serve his country in a bigger, more dangerous way. He then joined the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency). He worked undercover for 41/2 years in the Mexico city of Guadalajara. He had an office in the U.S. Embassy. By the time he was ready to leave back to the U.S. Kiki had a wife named Maleeka that was 34 years old. Three kids Enrique, Daniel and Erik whose ages were 11, 6 and 4. On the day of Feb. 17, 1985, Kiki called his wife to schedule a date at their favorite restaurant to celebrate. As he left his office he was met by five men who shoved him into a tan van. Kiki was never to be seen alive again. The Camerena family and parents mourned for their loved one. A month later he was found dead in a shallow grave just 70 miles outside of a town called Michana. He was found beaten, tortured and murdered. His family decided to wear a red flag to remember their beloved Kiki. In 1988 President Reagan heard about this tragic murder and researched it and then declared Oct. 18 through Oct. 31 Red Ribbon. So those of you who have read this, please take this letter into consideration and take the holiday more than just some old ordinary holiday.
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MARY FREY — Stephen F. Austin Elementary
Hi. I’m Mary Frey. I am a fifth-grader at Stephen F. Austin. And I am here to tell you that: Red Ribbon Week is not just a day to wear crazy socks or sunglasses to school. It is a day to honor a brave man who gave his life for kids all over the United States of America. Enrique Kiki Camarino was born in 1948. He would be 57 years of age if he was not kidnapped, beaten and murdered. Kiki Camarino was not just another officer. He was a brave, honest, smart and caring man. Kiki left three kids dadless, one wife husbandless and one mother sonless. So next time someone calls him some Mexican man or Spanish guy, you’ll know that Kiki Camarino was not just some Mexican guy. But a friend, a dad, a husband, and most importantly, a hero.
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MICHELLE GARCIA — Stephen F. Austin Elementary
Hi. My name is Michelle Garcia. I’m 10 years old, and I’m from Stephen F. Austin Elementary School in the fifth grade. I’m in the DARE Club, and I am writing to tell all the people in my town to inform them about Red Ribbon Week. I think that we should have a Perfect day for Enrique Kiki and celebrate. We should respect Red Ribbon Week for him because he had done so well for all of us and saved lives. I am “warning” the people who take drugs and of the bad stuff because they are bad for you. One more thing to inform you about Enrique Kiki: He worked for a police department. He called his wife and told his wife to meet him in a restaurant and he did not show up and his wife left. A few months later he had been discovered that he had been murdered, destroyed and beaten up. That’s the way Red Ribbon Week was made up.
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DANYEL LESTER — Polk Elementary
My name is Danyel, I am a fifth grade DARE member at Polk Elementary. Do you know why we have Red Ribbon Week. We have it because of an American hero whose name is Kiki. He was born in 1948 in Baja, Mexico. He came to America when he was 9 years old. In his house they didn’t have a regular floor. They had a dirt floor. He died in 1985 at 37 years old. When he was older he went to the Marine Corps for four years. Then he became a policeman for a few years. Then he became a DEA — Drug Enforcement Agency for 41/2 years in Mexico. He was married. He came home in 1985. His wife Mika was 34 years old, Enrique was 11, Daniel was 6, Erik was 4 years old. In 1985 he lived in Guadalajara. On Feb. 7, 1985, he was working in his office and he called Mika to go eat lunch. She said “Yes.” As Kiki walked out the door of the U.S. Embassy, five men were standing in the front. They grabbed him and put him in the back of a tan van. He was never seen again. One month later 70 miles from Michicano, they found his dead body in a shallow grave. He had been beaten, tortured and murdered. The men never got caught. President Reagan in 1988 found out about Kiki and said, “Every week will be Red Ribbon Week.” If he was alive now, he would be 57 years old. His children would be 31, 26 and 24.
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McCLAINE ROY — Polk Elementary
Hi. My name is McClaine Roy and I am a fifth-grade DARE student from Polk. The following story will be true to every word. If you cry, I don’t blame you because that is how I feel about this story myself. Now let me begin from the top. About 57 years ago a young man named Enrique Cama-rena grew up as a poor young boy who had no wood but a dirt floor. Years later Enrique became a Marine for four years. After that he joined DEA — Drug Enforcement Agency. His mom says it is too dangerous, but instead he joins in. He worked with the DEA for 41/2 years. Then he became a secret agent and pretended to be on the bad side to gain information. He learned all of their names. Because he had done such a good job America called him back to his real home. He was married to a woman named Mika. They had three kids, Erik 4, Daniel 6, Enrique 11. He had called his wife to have dinner together. When he was walking out of his office five men grabbed him, threw him in a tan van and took off. He had been kidnapped right in front of the U.S. Embassy. One month later they found him in a shallow grave. He had been beaten, tortured and murdered. The thieves have never been caught. In honor of Enrique we have Red Ribbon Week from Oct. 18 through Oct. 31. This was started by Ronald Reagan in 1988.
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KIRSTIN VAN FLEET — Rasco Middle School
As you know, there is a drug resistance program called Red Ribbon. Children all over the U.S. wear red ribbons pinned to their shirts. But the Red Ribbon program isn’t just for kids, it’s for adults, too. Where did it come from? How did it start? Many of us don’t even think about these questions. This story is the answer. Enrique Camarena was born in 1948 as a poor American. His parents were good people, but didn’t make enough money on their jobs. Kiki (Enrique) respected his parents, elders and even those who hated him and his family. When Kiki graduated, he joined the Marine Corps and stayed there for four years. One day he came to his mother and said, “Mother, being in the Army is a great honor, but I want to do more for the people of America. I want to become a police officer.” And so he did. Later, he came to his mother and said, “Mother, I am happy with my job, but I still want to do more for the people. I want to become a member of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).” After he became a member of the DEA, he went to Mexico for them and found drug dealers. He contacted them and told them of his discovery. They said, “Good job, Kiki. Now you can go home to your family and return to America.” Kiki called his wife and said, “Will you join me at our favorite restaurant for lunch?” “Yes, of course,” she answered. Kiki was getting into his car when five men came and kidnapped him. Kiki was beaten, tortured and murdered. His body was found in a shallow grave one month later about 70 miles from Michicano, Mexico. His wife and mother wore red ribbons in honor of Kiki. Soon more and more people started wearing red ribbons in honor of Kiki. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan found out about the red ribbons and made it a national holiday. Red Ribbon Week officially runs from Oct. 18 through Oct. 31. You can remember Kiki, too. Wear your red ribbons in honor of this true American hero.
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ALEX AZLIN — Polk Elementary
To Facts readers,
I am Alex Azlin at the DARE Program at Polk Elementary in the fifth grade and here is a story about Red Ribbon Week.
There was a man named Enrique Camerena. He was born in 1948 but everybody called him Kiki. His family was poor but honest. After Kiki graduated from high school he became a Marine for 41/2 years. Then he became an officer after four long years. He saw all the drugs coming in from different places. After that he became one of the DEA’s Drug Enforcement Agency officers. Kiki went to Mexico for 41/2 years to learn who all the bad officers, army soldiers and government were. He got so much information they let him stay there. He got married. His wife was named Mika; she was 34 years old. They had three kids: Enrique Jr. 11 years old, Daniel 6 years old and Erik 4 years old. They lived in a city called Guadalajara, Mexico. On Feb. 7, 1985, Kiki was in his office. He was not a DEA anymore. Kiki called his wife to have lunch. She said yes. As he walked to his car, five men grabbed Kiki in front of the U.S. Embassy. They kidnapped Kiki and ran off with him in a tan van. One month later 70 miles from the city of Michicano, they found Kiki’s body in a shallow grave. He had been beaten, tortured and murdered. Kiki’s kidnappers never were caught. Kiki’s wife and mom wore a red ribbon because of the blood he gave to his country. President Reagan — 1988 he heard about what Kiki had done. He made it a celebration all over the state of Texas. Now they celebrate from Oct. 23 through Oct. 31. Just think, he was murdered 20 years ago. When you wear your red ribbon remember that Kiki gave his life so we would not do drugs.
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MELISSA BAILEY — Rasco Middle School
Hi, have you ever wondered where Red Ribbon Week came from? Well, I’ll tell you. It all started one day when a new child was born. His name was Enrique Camerena. He had a great family, but they were very poor. One year when he was older, he joined the Marine Corps. Three to four years later, when he came home, he said he wanted to join the police department. His mom didn’t want him to do it because she was glad he didn’t die in the war. She didn’t want him to be killed by speeding or be shot by the person he would be catching. He knew he would have to be careful, but he wanted to do more for his country. He did become a police officer, but about two years later, he noticed that many people were smoking and drinking. He wondered why the United States of America was getting so many drugs. He wanted to stop it, so he told his mom he was going to join the DEA, which stands for Drug Enforcement Association. His mother disagreed about that. She told him that they were the ones who sent the drugs to America. He realized that, but he was willing to face the danger. I think he was a very brave and caring man about his country. He went to the DEA place to see what he needed to do. They told him to go to Mexico because they were the ones who sent the products. He stayed with the bad people and acted bad to hang out with them so he could find the problem. Four and a half years later, he could go see his family. During these four and a half years, he married a girl, Mika, and they had three children. Enrique was 11, Daniel was 6, and Erik was 4. They all lived in Guadalajara, Mexico, for four and a half years. At the end of that week, they were going to move to the United States of America. Well, one day, the kids were in school or daycare when Mika was packing. That day, Enrique called Mika to see if she wanted to go eat lunch together at their favorite place one last time. She said, “Sure,” so she got there, and she waited and waited and waited there until the restaurant closed. He never came because when he was going to his car from his office, five men kidnapped him in front of the U.S. Embassy and took him in what they think today is a tan van. They never found who took him, but about one month later, they found him in a town about 70 miles from Guadalajara called Michicano, Mexico. They found him in a shallow grave. He was all beaten, tortured and murdered. They told Mika he was dead, and she told her kids. A few days later, she called his mother and told her. They decided that they needed to do something to remember him. They decided to wear a red ribbon. People asked them why they were wearing it, and they told them how he became dead. Those people decided that they were going to wear a red ribbon for other people to ask them. Someone told the President, Ronald Reagan. He had them come to the White House. They told him the story, and he decided to make a special holiday for us to remember to not do drugs and for remembrance of Enrique Camarena. If he wasn’t kidnapped and dead, today he would be 57 years old. He wants all of us to stop smoking and drinking because it ruins your lives. As I say, “Stomp out drugs, stomp out drugs! Just say no to drugs!”
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REDFORD BASSETT — Rasco Middle School
My name is Redford Bassett, and I go to Rasco Middle School. I want to write this story to help everyone to know about what Red Ribbon Week is really about.
In 1948, a boy named Enrique Camerena lived in a family that was not very rich, he didn’t even have a floor. When he grew up, he joined the Marine Corps. When he came home, he looked so nice. Then he was a police, and he was seeing a lot of people taking drugs so he wanted to join the DEA so he could go undercover to Mexico. He did for 41/2 years. He found all the bad people in his department. When he came back, they assigned him a safer mission. When he got back, he married a girl named Mika. He had three children, and their names were Enrique, Daniel, Erik. Then when they went to the city named Guadalajara, his wife called him and said, “We should go to lunch,” since they were going back to the United States. He said yes. When he was walking out to his car, he was grabbed by five men, who took him away. His wife and children were looking, but couldn’t find him. One month later, they found his body in a shallow grave, all scraped up and tortured to death. So his wife had to tell her children. And so his wife said that he can’t die just like that. So she said that we should wear a red ribbon to remember him. So that’s how they started Red Ribbon Week.
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JOSHUA BRIGHAM — Rasco Middle School
Dear citizens of Brazoria County,
I am here to tell you about how Red Ribbon Week began. Enrique Camerena, also known as Kiki, was born in 1948 to a poor but very honest and respectful family. Enrique joined the United States Marine Corps at age 18, and served for four years. After leaving the military, he became a police officer. While serving as a police officer, he got tired of seeing young kids die from drugs — drugs that were coming into the United States of America through Mexico. This led Kiki to make another change in his career, and he joined the Drug Enforcement Agency. Under an assignment by the DEA, he was sent to Mexico for undercover work. After four and half years, he found out information on who and how the drugs were coming into America. Due to a job well done, he was notified that he would be returning home soon. However, one month later, 70 miles from Michicano, Mexico, plans changed for Kiki. That day Kiki was in his office and called his wife, and said, “ Let’s go have lunch.” As he got outside of the office, plans changed again for Kiki, but this time it was different. Five men in a tan van kidnapped him. A few days later his body was found in a shallow grave, beaten, tortured and murdered. A great man was lost that day. Enrique died in 1985 at the age of 37. Enrique leaves behind a wife named Mica, who is 34 years old, three boys: Enrique, 11; Daniel, 6; and Erik, 4. ’Til this day the kidnappers have never been caught. After President Ronald Reagan heard the story, he declared Oct. 18 through Oct. 31 Red Ribbon Week: The war against drug week.
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KIRI BULLARD — Polk Elementary
Hi. I am Kiri Bullard. If you’re wondering what Red Ribbon Week is about I’m going to tell the story.
About 56 years ago there was a little boy and his poor family. This little boy’s name was Enrique Camarena. He was born in 1948 and his friends called him Kiki. When he was 9 years old he moved to America. When he went to school in California his friends were taking drugs. After he graduated he became a Marine. His mom was really happy. After four years he became a police. He started seeing people dying from drugs. So he decided to be a DEA officer. The people who worked for that company said that he could go under cover in Mexico. So Kiki said “OK!” Four and a half years later the people told him he could come back to Texas in 1985. Kiki got married to a lady named Mikia in Mexico. She was 34 and had three children: Enrique was 11, Daniel 6 and Erik was 4. They all lived in Guadalajara. One day while Kiki was in his office he called his wife out to lunch. When he walked out to his car he was kidnapped by five men and thrown into a tan van and never seen alive again. One month later they found Kiki’s body in a shallow grave. He was beaten, tortured and murdered. So that’s why we have Red Ribbon Week to remember Enrique Camarena our Brave Hero or our saver to keep off drugs!
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JENNA BUTCHER — Rasco Middle School
I am Jenna Butcher, a fifth-grader at Grady B. Rasco Middle School. I live in Lake Jackson. I am also in the DARE program at my school. I am writing about Enrique Camerena’s life and the impact he had on the United States of America. Enrique was born into a poor but honest family. Enrique had a nickname “Kiki” — almost everyone called him that. Kiki wanted to support the United States of America so he joined the Marines. Kiki was a Marine for four years.
After the Marines he joined the Police Department. When Kiki heard that the kids were taking drugs he wanted to do something about it. So after a few years in the police department he decided to go enter the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) to encourage kids to stop doing drugs. The DEA was a very dangerous job. The DEA heard Kiki speaking Spanish; he spoke it so well that the DEA sent him to Mexico under cover. Kiki spent four years in Mexico under cover finding who was sending the tobacco to America. Some of the people sending drugs were police and soldiers.
When the DEA told Kiki he could come back to the United States of America he, his wife Mika and three sons Enrique, Daniel and Erik started to pack. On February 7, 1985, Kiki called Mika to lunch, she agreed. When Kiki was going to his car, give men grabbed him and threw him in a light brown van. His wife and family never saw him alive again. In March of 1985 Enrique was found 70 miles away in the town of Micheano, Mexico, where he had been beaten and tortured and murdered. Kiki’s wife and mother thought of a way to remember Enrique by wearing red ribbons; soon most of the city was wearing them, then most of the U.S. This spread until it got to President Ronald Reagan. In 1988 Reagan declared a new national holiday, Red Ribbon Week (Oct. 18-27).
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MIRANDA CHARLEZ — Polk Elementary
Dear Facts readers,
Hi. My name is Miranda Charlez. I am a DARE student at Polk. I am here to inform you about Enrique Camarena. Enrique Camarena was born in 1948. His parents called him (Kiki). His parents were so very poor that they had a dirt floor. After high school Kiki went to the Marine Corps. When his four years were done he became a police officer after four years. He decided to join the DEA Drug Enforcement Agency. Kiki went under cover to Mexico as a Drug Dealer. He went to Mexico for 41/2 years. He learned who all the bad officers were. He got married; his wife was named Mika, who was 34 years old. They had three kids: Enrique, 11, Daniel, 6, Erik, 4. They lived in the city Guadalajara, Mexico. On Feb. 7, 1985, Kiki was in his office. He was not in the DEA anymore. Kiki called his wife Mika to have lunch with him. Five men kidnapped him in front of the U.S. Embassy. The men shoved Kiki in a tan van. One month later 70 miles from the city Michicano they found Kiki’s body in a shallow grave. He had been beaten, tortured, murdered. The kidnappers were never caught. In memory of Kiki the family wanted to do something special to remember him by. His wife and mother started wearing red ribbons. They picked red because of his blood that he gave of to everybody. President Reagan in 1988 — this got President Reagan’s attention. In memory of Kiki President Reagan made Oct. 18 through Oct. 31 a national celebration, Red Ribbon Week. They celebrate this all over the state of Texas. He was murdered 20 years ago. He gave his life to make sure we didn’t do drugs.
In memory of Enrique Camarena 1948-1985.
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CORIN COOLEY — Rasco Middle School
My name is Corin Cooley. I am in fifth grade and from Rasco Middle School. I’m going to tell you about a guy that should be known all around the country. He is why we celebrate Red Ribbon Week. His name is Enrique Camerena. Enrique Camarena was born in 1948. Kiki was his nickname. He lived in a poor family. His family was honest and good. When Kiki got older, he joined the Marine Corps. He worked in the Corps for four years. Then he became a police officer. Since people were doing drugs and alcohol, Kiki wanted to help stop it. So he decided to join the DEA. DEA stands for Drug Enforcement Agency. His mom didn’t want Kiki to do it because it is a dangerous job. But Kiki joined the DEA. Since Kiki spoke Spanish, he was sent to Mexico. He worked 41/2 years under cover. In those years, he found out who was taking the drugs and who was letting them take drugs into the U.S. Kiki did a very good job. In 1985, he was 37 years old. He married a lady called Mika. Mika was 34 years old. Together they had three boys, Enrique, Daniel and Eric. They lived in Guadalajara, Mexico. Feb. 7, 1985, Kiki was working in his office in Guadalajara. He asked Mika to eat lunch with him. When he got to his car, five men grabbed him. The men threw Kiki in the back of a light brown Volks Wagon. Mika and children never saw him again. One month later in March, 70 miles away from the town of Michicano, they found Kiki. Kiki had been beaten, tortured and murdered. Once they found Kiki, they told Mika. Mika cried. Mika and Kiki’s mom thought of a way to remind people of Kiki. Their idea was to wear red ribbons. Once they wore the ribbons, other people started wearing ribbons. In 1988, Ronald Reagan heard the story of Kiki and gave the name Red Ribbon Week.
I think a lot of people should know about Enrique Camarena, but only a few people do. I wrote this letter because my DARE officer told me the story of Enrique, and so everybody could learn about Enrique Camerena.
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ELIZABETH DAESCHNER — Rasco Middle School
Dear Brazoria County citizens,
My name is Elizabeth Daeschner. I’m a student at Rasco Middle School. In DARE, we are learning about Red Ribbon Week. We are learning the reason we have it. Not many people understand why. So I would like to share the reason with you. In 1948, Enrique Camarena was born. His parents called him Kiki. He was a true American hero. His family was poor. After he graduated high school, he wanted to serve his country. He was in the Marine Corps. He still really wanted to serve his country. He noticed how many drugs were coming into the United States and wanted to stop it. He became a policeman. He then decided to join the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency). He was sent to Mexico under cover to find information on the drugs coming in. He was a druggie and had druggie buddies. Undercover policemen aren’t allowed to take drugs, so he found a way to trick them. While he was acting, he found out the corrupt officers, army men and officials. After 41/2 years, he came back. The court was so impressed they let him take a safer job in the United States. By that time, he had a wife named Mika who was 34 years old, a son named Enrique who was 11 and named after his father, a son named Daniel who was 6 years old, and a son named Erik who was 4 years old. At that time it was 1985. They lived in Guadalajara, Mexico. On Feb. 7, 1985, Enrique called up Mika and asked her if she wanted to go to lunch. She was packing when he called because they were moving to the United States. She stopped packing and thought it was a great idea. She said she would meet him at their favorite restaurant. As he was walking out of the office, he was kidnapped by five men and taken away in a tan van; Kiki never made it to lunch. One month later they found Kiki’s body in a shallow grave 70 miles out of a small town. He was tortured and murdered. His kidnappers were never caught. In remembrance, Kiki’s family wore a red ribbon in honor for the blood he sacrificed. In 1988, President Reagan found out about Kiki and made Red Ribbon Week a national holiday Oct. 18-31. I ask that not only the kids wear red ribbons, but adults, too, in honor of Kiki.
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DYLAN DEMITROFF — Rasco Middle School
I am Dylan Dimitroff. I am in the DARE program at Rasco. Our DARE officer is P.J. Trotta. I am writing this letter to tell about Red Ribbon Week. This letter is about a man that started Red Ribbon Week. A young boy and Enrique Camerena was born in 1948. He was poor when he was little. When he grew up, he was in the Marine Court for four years. After that, he wanted to be a cop because he saw kids getting hurt. Than he saw bad things happen with drugs, so he went to the DEA. He went to Mexico under cover so he didn’t get caught. When he got the evidence, they brought him home. He got married to Mika, who was 34 years old. Also, Enrique was 37 years old. He also had three kids: Enrique that was 11 years old and Daniel was 6 years old and Erik was 4 years old. His office was in Guadalajara, Mexico. On Feb. 7, 1985, five guys took him and tortured and murdered. He was about to go and eat lunch with his wife and kids. One month later, about 70 miles from Michino, Mexico, they found him in a shallow grave, and he was dead. They told Mika that Enrique was dead. It was hard for the kids and Mika. When President Reagan heard about this, he wanted everybody to wear a red ribbon and that reminds us about him. Also, that was how Red Ribbon Week started. Red Ribbon Week is about Enrique and losing Enrique trying to save us. He would be 75 years old if he was still alive. I would like everybody to wear a red ribbon and think about Enrique Camarena.
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HALEY HEATHCOCK — Rasco Middle School
I believe one person can make a difference. Enrique “Kiki” Camerena’s short life is one example of a person doing his small part to make a difference in the world we live in today.
Enrique Camerena was born in Mexico in 1948. Kiki was his nickname. When Kiki was young his family was very poor. The floor in their home was dirt, and the home did not have any appliances. Kiki once said to his mom, “Momma, I want to do more.” When Kiki was older, his family moved to America. In America, he became a policeman. After that, he joined the Marine Corps, then eventually joined the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Since Kiki could speak Spanish very well, the DEA sent him undercover to Mexico to find out who was selling drugs illegally to Americans. On February 7, 1985, Kiki called his wife and asked her to meet him for lunch. When Kiki walked out of his office, five men came out of a van and shoved him into it. As his wife waited at the restaurant, Kiki was beaten, tortured and then murdered. One month later, they found a shallow grave with Enrique Camerena’s body in it. One day after his murder, Kiki’s wife said, “We need to do something to honor Kiki.” His mom agreed. From then on his mom, wife and sister started wearing red ribbons. At church, people asked them what the red ribbons meant, and they explained that the ribbons were in honor of Kiki’s life. As the news spread about wearing red ribbons, President Ronald Reagan heard about it and honored Kiki by making one week every year from Oct. 18 to Oct. 31 Red Ribbon Week. The way Kiki’s family and the U.S. government honored his life with Red Ribbon Week is a good example of how one person can make a very positive difference in our world today.
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MORGAN HEMBLING — Rasco Middle School
My name is Morgan Hembling. I’m a fifth grader at Rasco Middle School involved in the DARE program. Red Ribbon Week was been celebrated for years by students, but why do we celebrate this week? How did it start? It all started a long time ago in a tiny house. A baby boy was born Enrique Camerena. Little did his poor parents know that their son would one day be a man known all over the United States of America. The little boy was well raised. He always tried to help somebody. When he was older, he joined the Marines and served for four whole years. After that, he wanted to join the local police department. A few years later, he decided he wanted to join the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency). His mother was reluctant of this. But her son said, “I want to help.” The DEA sent him to Mexico. There he was undercover for 41/2 years. Finally, the DEA said Kiki (nickname) and his family could go home. Kiki called his wife and asked her if she thought that they should meet for lunch since they were leaving Mexico. She thought that was a good idea. When Kiki stepped out of his office, five men grabbed him and put him in a brown Volkswagen. His wife Mika and their three children never saw him again. One month later, they found his body in a shallow grave. He had been beaten, tortured and murdered. Imagine how his wife tried to explain this to their children. Mika and Kiki’s mother got together to think of a way to remember him. They started wearing red ribbons. Soon other people around them started wearing red ribbons too. When President Ronald Reagan found out about this, he was very proud. He declared Red Ribbon Week, a national holiday that encourages kids not to get involved with drugs.
I think we should all wear red ribbons. Maybe we could even put them on our cars. There is no reason not to wear a red ribbon. You can find them at a good price at stores or make them yourself. This is not only a holiday for kids, it is also a national holiday.
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