The articles may wear on a few of you, I read to attempt to understand events. There are others newpapers online easily available, try those. If in some way these articles prevent another horrible tradegy, I will read another 10 years worth.

Memorial Day 2009
Joe Moya
Casi Rodriquez
SFC Clarence Brown
Benito Canchola

I walked with heroes once.

This is post number 4 after I have had 3 deleted now...my comments have been within the parameters but for some reason, they are not welcome.

My final comment is this, Advocate--we are tired of hearing of the loss of the immigrants from 6 years ago. Victoria is a proud town and doesn't need to rehash such a tragedy. Yes, there is not a lot to write about that is truly positive but at least keep with the times and leave the past in the past.

I usually find it very interesting how folks criticize the Advocate for not printing what they think needs to be printed, then 'threaten' to expose whatever they think is so 'bombshell', and then NEVER DO IT!

You folks are no different than the Advocate.

Yeah, Oldraider they deleted two of mine also. I figure that the management of VicAd does not like it when we question why a story is regurgitated over and over and over and over and over again.

There are a lot more things going on in the city that need lights shown on them. The good ole boy system in the city management? Is it still alive and well? What if it had been a woman?

Why is garbage pickup in the county higher than that of Harris County or the City of Houston? Who is getting the kick backs on that arrangement?

I won't toss another stink bomb right now, the feds may already be looking into it anyway. Victoria's bubble may be busted.

Did you realize land and real estate values are going down and may be going down further...

All of you who are being FORCED to read this series, let the rest of us know who is making you do that, and maybe we'll rescue you.

I continue to be interested in this series, and I must say, the video was first rate.

Excellent work, Advocate.

mikespace: If you truly feel that way then I highly encourage you and others that feel the same way to work to make something positive happen to give the Advocate something to report on.

This still? I wish something would happen in this city so the paper could have more to write about

Thanks for the comments, everyone. I appreciate the compliments and the criticisms. I should note that while I did the research and wrote the stories, much-deserved kudos on the video go to Robert Zavala, Bill Clough, Julie Zavala, Bob Zavala, Nick Rogers and Katrina Morris, a Victoria woman kind enough to play the voice of Maria Elena Castro-Reyes. I think their work to bring the written story to life in this fashion is a prime example of how Web technology can supplement and even trump print work in some cases. Seeing and hearing the story in that fashion is moving, like you said Handyman. -- Gabe Semenza

Gabe is a hell of a reporter.. but you need to stop..Come on Gabe stop patting your self on the back for the sake of this story..If you dont someone else will.. thats my point!! Now please STOP..

Gabe needs to be commended for his hard work on this story. I know that some of us are tired of hearing about this story but, this is something that will never go away.

Gabe, you and Mr. Cobbler have done a fine job here. The people who worked on the video also should be commended. The music was really moving. Mr. Bighorn is wrong about you being cowards. you all bravely put your names and phone numbers on everything you do so you can be reached at any time. Mr. Bighorn does not put hil name up or his picture. Like my papa told me one time, "it is easy to sit high in the trees where no one can see you and throw stones at the people on the ground working"

Gabe I just have to commend the Advocate for this well made video!

In reading this post, don't you think the survivors are hard to find because maybe they DON"T WANT TO BE FOUND? AND MAYBE THEY, TOO, WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS FADE INTO THE PAST?

AS FAR AS THE SMUGGLER WANTING BLOOD MONEY: I wouldn't give that scumdog SOB the time of day! KUDOS TO YOU VICAD!

Again, what purpose does it serve to remind us of this tragic day on a weekly basis? Annually, yes. LET US NOT FORGET!

I won't repeat myself as to my previous comments on this article, but, let's close the book and open it annually. I have no problem with that.

rg201508, there is a reason to look at this again and that reason is in the video. Very moving. Good job Gabe.

A well written article and an extremely poignant video, I thought. The Advocate has done a great job, thus far, and I would like to see where this series will lead to.

I am personally NOT TIRED of the Advocate writing on the subject, despite so many people saying that they are. When I see the Advocate in the machines outside businesses and on someone's table, I look at the front page, and I can honestly say that this matter is not written about as often as the other things that have been printed on the front page.

Honestly, if you are really that tired of reading about it, then as soon as you realize what the article is about, quit reading the article and move on to the next one!

allfiredup put it best, I feel: "Evil flourishes when good men do nothing." Is the Crossroads area tired of hearing about 9/11 every year as well? I sometimes wonder. If we ignore what is going on so close to home, not only will it continue to happen, but it will get WORSE.

lucycou: I agree that people don't care enough about other people in the world. What's ironic is that I've been told so many times in the past (and I'm sure I will be told more in the future) to "worry about [myself] and not others" so that I'll do better in life, and the people that have told me that I also hear complaining about how there's not enough people that care about others in the world. I've tried the "worry about myself" thing and have been called "callous" because of it. If I show compassion to others, I'm a "bleeding heart." I think I'd rather have a bleeding heart than a stone one!

once again, i understand tht it was horrible event tht scarred history. but there is absolutely no reason for this to take up the front page anymore, write a nice little article in the crossroads section to keep everyone posted and lets leave it at that.

I don't think it wise to just move on- especially from something that still happens. Hundreds of immigrants die every year. If you just move on from history, you risk it happening again. People who move on from this are the reason it still happens.

Gabe this is a great story!

oh, and as for the people who made this video - brillant. absolutely brilliant. i loved it. robert zavala - you are so incredibly talented. i'm proud every time.

referring to the previous comments... this is exactly why the world is in the shape it is in right now. the lack of caring of other people is incredible. how is it that so many people care so little about other people? regardless of who they are, where they come from? we need a little more caring in the world, a little more compassion. look at us, we live in a world where some people can live a good life while others die right next door and we don't even care. and as for "yes, we get it, let's move on" ... why can't we "just move on" from 9/11 or disasters of that nature that ONLY affect america? come on, people, let us widen our compassion to everyone, not just what affects this country.

Yes, it was a tragic day in the crossroads area. It was unfortunate that this had to happen to so many people, God Bless them and their families. BUT ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! Let these people rest in peace already.I am so tired of looking at the Sunday paper and having to see the articles about this again. Let's move on to something else. I'd like to see something in the paper that's positive, especially on Sunday morning. Let's move on and leave these people to rest.

Lest we forget...

Very, very well done. A fresh approach to the event. A glimpse into what must be one of many personal stories arising from that horrible tragedy.

I disagree with other posters who are tired of being reminded that 19 human beings perished at the hands of greedy cowards. Evil flourishes when good men do nothing. Avoiding the subject of human trafficking and all its dirty secrets and sad stories will not make it go away.

I think it is important for the event to remain in the forefront of our thoughts. I wonder if those same posters would say the same about the endless stories of September 11 or the Holocaust? I think not.

yeh, im starting to get a little tired of having to read about this myself. i understand tht it was a big thing tht happened and a horrible thing at tht, but i cant see the point of having to rehash it over and over. we'd be better off talking about ratcliff and tyler and again.