Latinos
La historia del bombero colombiano en el 9-11: “No se pudo hacer más”
El pereirano encontró la caja negra de uno de los aviones que se estrellaron contra las torres gemelas hace 20 años, asegura que su principal tristeza es que no pudo rescatar a nadie
Este año se cumplen 20 años de una de las tragedias que marcaron la historia de Estados Unidos y la humanidad. La caída de las torres gemelas se convirtió es un hito que, hasta el día de hoy, es conmemorado con profunda tristeza pero, además, recuerda las razones por las que tropas americanas se instauraron en territorio afgano para derrotar a los Talibanes, en un operativo que el gobierno de George W. Bush, y sus aliados de la política, denominaron la ‘guerra contra el terrorismo’, con el que obtuvieron una victoria que se desvaneció hasta hace unas pocas semanas.
En estos hechos, que causaron la muerte de 2.996 personas, incluidos 19 que hicieron parte del atentado, la desaparición de 24 víctimas, y más de 25 mil heridos, estuvo presente el colombiano, experto en rescates, Luis Eduardo Marulanda, que durante 40 horas sin parar, estuvo buscando salvar la mayor cantidad de vidas posibles. El hombre, que reside en Bogotá, pese a su gran labor y ayuda a muchas personas que lograron sobrevivir y a muchas familias que pudieron despedir a sus seres queridos, se pregunta, pese al tiempo, si hubiera podido hacer más.
Cuando los miembros de la red yihadista Al Qaeda secuestraron y estrellaron los dos aviones contra las Torres Gemelas, el rescatista colombiano se hallaba en Nueva York por casualidad; su trabajo como bombero lo había llevado al país norteamericano a hacer un curso por unos días y ha comprar unas ambulancias para la Cruz Roja colombiana.
“Se me pone la piel de gallina. Sabíamos que había mucha gente atrapada ahí”, dijo, con muchas emociones a flor de piel, Marulanda, a la agencia AFP, al recordar esa noche que para muchas personas se convirtió en un hecho eterno que les cambio la vida.
En el momento que la tragedia comenzó a eso de las 9 de la mañana, el colombiano se dirigía al sur de Manhattan y al ver lo que estaba sucediendo con el primer impacto de avión, el hombre, que hoy tiene 57 años, se ofreció como bombero voluntario para enfrentar la tragedia.
“Querían que subiéramos a hacer una inspección si quiera hasta el veinteavo piso, pues los sistemas contra incendios funcionaron del piso 80 para arriba, así que la primera asignación que me hacen es entrar para tratar de verificar si había fuego en esa zona”, recordó Marulanda y aseguró que pese a la meta que tenían “alcanzamos a subir cinco escalones, nada más. El caos era tremendo, la gente se lanzaba una encima de la otra. Era imposible subir, había una turba humana”.
El rescatista posee una gran experiencia en terremotos, avalanchas y otras catástrofes; pues ha trabajado no solo en Colombia, sino ayudando en países como Ecuador, Perú, México, Haití y Nueva Zelanda. Además, de la experiencia que ganó en Estados Unidos, pues su visita, que iba ha ser por unos días, se extendió por tres meses, donde permaneció en la zona cero, buscando sobrevivientes y recolectando evidencias de la sucedido.
“Vi miembros sueltos, troncos sueltos (…) Vi muchos, muchos cuerpos calcinados que quedaron muy pequeños, reducidos, imposibles de identificar”, aseguró y en su relató se le vino a la mente un caso que marco su vida “Vi a una familia mexicana a la cual le entregaron un par de zapatos para enterrar, recuerdo su cara, el traductor les hablaba y la mujer decía: ‘¿Y usted quiere que me lleve esto?’”.
Además, entre los escombros, encontraban partes de cuerpos, hasta partes de cabello con las que tuvieron que hacer reconocimiento para darle respuesta a las miles de familias que fueron victimas de una guerra en la que no habían participado. Sumado a personas que nunca tuvieron las respuestas que necesitaban, pues al ser migrantes ilegales tenían miedo que a su perdida de un ser querido se le sumara la deportación.
“Sentía un dolor de patria, aunque no era mi patria. Pero uno no necesita ser ciudadano americano para sentir ese dolor. Y eso persiste”, reflexionó el colombiano que luego de prestar su servicio fue deportado y vetado en Estados Unidos por siete años.
El sujeto que tuvo que pedir ayuda psicológica durante un largo tiempo en Colombia, pues los hechos afectaron su vida en general, aseguró que esas “jornadas maratónicas” fueron posibles, pues estuvieron acompañadas de ayuda a los psicólogos ubicados en carpas del otro lado del río Hudson, en Nueva Jersey y también de quiroprácticos “que lo desbarataban a uno, pero lo dejaban como nuevo”.
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Latinos
From a small room in Tampa to her own campus! Lucy Puentes Stewart turns her dream into a success story
CENTRAL FLORIDA. Before the new facilities, before the ceremonies, and before seeing her dream become an established educational institution, there was a small room in a Tampa home, some used furniture, recycled materials, and a woman willing to do whatever it took to get ahead.
That woman was Lucila «Lucy» Puentes Stewart.
In that small space, a dream began to take shape that is now living one of its most important chapters: the inauguration of the new campus of Águilas International Technical Institute, the institution she founded and leads as CEO.
Her story did not begin with large facilities or all the resources she needed. It began with work, creativity, sacrifice, and the determination to believe in an idea even when there was still a long way to go.
And perhaps that is precisely where the value of this story lies: in remembering that, before reaching a goal that looks big, someone had to dare to take a first step when everything was still small.
When the dream depended on her own hands
During the inauguration ceremony, Lucy shared an emotional account with guests about the beginnings of her project. Recalling that first stage, she put into perspective the road traveled and the challenges she had to face to turn a modest initiative into an institution dedicated to technical training.
In its early days, she was not only leading the project: she was also operator, instructor, and responsible for practically every task needed to keep it running.
Every detail mattered. Resources had to be used to the fullest, used furniture and recycled materials found new purpose, and each day was an opportunity to keep building what she believed in.
There was no large structure behind her to lean on. Much of the work depended on her own ability to solve problems, take on responsibilities, and keep moving forward.
Those who have started a business from scratch know that the beginnings can be a true test of character. There are days of uncertainty, difficult decisions, and moments when the effort seems to outweigh the results. Yet there is also a special strength in working for something that has a purpose.
Lucy pressed on.
What was then a small educational project would begin to grow into an institution with a much broader mission: preparing people to develop their professional skills and find new opportunities in the job market.
A dream that began to grow and open doors
Over time, Águilas International Technical Institute consolidated its presence in Central Florida, with technical training programs geared toward various healthcare careers.
Its work connects to a fundamental need in society: having people prepared to perform professional roles in a sector essential to the well-being of the community.
Behind every training program lies the possibility that a person gains knowledge, prepares to work, strengthens their economic independence, and builds a future with new prospects.
That is one of the most significant aspects of an educational institution’s path: its impact is not limited to its facilities, but can extend to students, their families, and the communities where they build their professional lives.
The growth of Águilas International Technical Institute thus represents a story of entrepreneurship tied to education, workforce preparation, and community development.
And for its founder, each step forward is also a reminder of those early days when everything depended on starting with whatever she had at hand.
The day a ribbon symbolized years of effort
The inauguration of the new campus marked a special moment in the institution’s history.
Business owners, representatives of various associations, and members of the media were invited to the event, accompanying Lucy Puentes Stewart in a celebration full of emotion and satisfaction.
The ribbon cutting was much more than a formal act. For those who knew the project’s beginnings, the ceremony was a chance to see how much an initiative can change when it is sustained by work, perseverance, and a vision for the future.
For Lucy, the moment had a personal meaning: remembering the small room where it all began and looking at the new chapter her institution is now undertaking.
It is easy to look at the final result and admire a new campus. But behind that achievement is a story worth knowing: that of an entrepreneur who had to take on multiple roles, make the most of limited resources, and work so her idea could grow.
That is why the day was so special. It was not only a new physical space being celebrated, but also the road that made it possible to get there.
The true value of a success story
Success stories are usually told from their big moments: an inauguration, an expansion, or the achievement of an important goal.
But Lucy’s story invites us to look beyond the ribbon-cutting photo.
It leads us to think about that woman who started with modest resources and had to play different roles to keep her project alive. About the importance of perseverance when results are not yet visible. And about the satisfaction that can come from looking back and discovering that years of effort have helped build something that goes beyond oneself.
Her path also sends a message to those who have a business idea, want to start a venture, or dream of creating opportunities for others: it is not always necessary to start with everything you need. Sometimes the first step is making responsible use of available resources, learning as you go, and staying committed to a goal.
That does not mean the road is easy, or that every project has the same outcome. It means that stories like Lucy’s remind us of the value of initiative, adaptability, and sustained work.
A new campus, new chapters to write
The opening of Águilas International Technical Institute’s own campus represents a new chapter for the institution and for the woman who drove its creation.
After starting in a small room in Tampa, Lucy Puentes Stewart today celebrates an achievement reflecting years of dedication to her educational project.
Her story is tied to training professionals in healthcare and creating opportunities for those seeking to prepare themselves and advance at work. It also reflects the contribution educational ventures can make to the development of their communities.
In Central Florida, where so many people work to build a better future for their families, stories like this have special meaning. They remind us that behind institutions there are people, decisions, sacrifices, and dreams that began long before public recognition arrived.
From that small room to her own campus, the distance is not measured only in walls or square footage. It is measured in years of work, challenges overcome, and the will to keep believing in an idea.
Today, Lucy celebrates a goal achieved. And the story of Águilas International Technical Institute continues to be written, with new challenges and opportunities ahead.
A story worth telling
At EnfoqueNow, we believe stories of entrepreneurship, perseverance, and commitment to community deserve a place in our pages. Not only for the achievements they represent, but for the human experiences that can inspire others.
The path of Lucy Puentes Stewart reminds us that, behind many projects we admire today, there was once a simple beginning and someone willing to work to turn an idea into reality.
Because, in the end, success is not only about ending up with your own campus. It is also about looking back, recognizing the road traveled, and understanding that what began as a dream can become an opportunity for many other people.
Jimmy Pizarro | EnfoqueNow – DigitalNews
Stories that inspire, transform, and build community.
#JimmyPizarro #EnfoqueNow #DigitalNews #AguilasInternationalTechnicalInstitute #LucyPuentesStewart #SuccessStories #HispanicEntrepreneurship #WomenEntrepreneurs #TechnicalEducation #HealthcareProfessionals #CentralFlorida
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