THE DEVLYNS

I and Grace were in San Antonio Convention in Texas, USA. I won’t forget we could visit Fort Alamo, one of my children western memories. We had a pleasant lunch with the couple Manuel João and Ruth Madureira Pires in the house, close to the river, where the president of Mexico, General Antonio López de Santa Anna slept from February 23 to March 6, 1836, the duration of the whole struggle.

All but two of the Republic of Texas defenders were killed in Alamo, after a twenty day siege. This was the pivotal point in Texas revolution. Santa Anna's perceived cruelty during the battle inspired many Texans - both Texas settlers and adventurers from the whole United States - to join the Texan Army. Buoyed by a desire for revenge, the Texans defeated the Mexican Army at the Battle of San Jacinto, several weeks later, ending the revolution. Kids would never forget coronel Travis/John Wayne, our real youth hero.

But we won’t forget also we attended in San Antonio one of the best Conventions in this decade (together with Birmingham, in England). We’ve known some important persons like Frank Devlyn and Gloria Rita, «Sonny» Brown – he was a fabulous comedian as a charming Chairman -, Tony Serrano and Marie and Carol Bellamy, UNICEF Chairwoman at the time.

I could translate into Portuguese Devlyn’s book «Frank Talk» first edition, which I presented and offered to attendants in my International Conference at Coimbra University, in 2003, and then to Fundação Rotaria Portuguesa, as a merchandizing Solidarity Fund product.

At Barcelona Convention the Devlyns invited me to their lunch table, with Brian Giller and his lovely wife (South Africa). They usually introduce me to everybody. I worked in Avoidable Blindness Booth for several times. We met all around the world and we are good friends. They are the best example of what I appreciate too much, very outstanding people living in warmest harmony with everybody, making the best for Mankind.

Henrique Pinto

December 09

PHOTO: Season's Greetings Card from the Devlyns