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'U' students to attend service

Eleven students participating in Alternative Spring Break plan to attend a memorial service in Miami for the four American pilots downed by Cuban military fighter planes last weekend.

LSA junior Roberto Pando, a leader of the Alternative Spring Break Miami site, said the Cuban American National Federation is encouraging students from around the country to attend the public tribute Saturday at 5 p.m. in Orange Bowl Stadium.

"Everybody in the group is excited," Pando said. "What surprised me is the way they are bringing everybody together."

Alternative Spring Break is a campus organization that allows students to travel to different parts of the country and perform community service during spring break.

Pando's site is scheduled to go to Miami where they will aid Cuban refugees in conjunction with Casa del Balsero, a group that takes donations of food and clothes for Cuban rafters.

Cuban exile organizations invite the general public to the memorial service, that will honor the pilots who were members of Brothers to the Rescue, also an exile organization.

This is the second year Miami will host an Alternative Spring Break site specifically to aid Cuban refugees. Last year's site members flew with Brothers to the Rescue pilots.

The group of University students plans to begin the 24-hour drive to Miami this afternoon. Pando said the group will hurry to arrive in time for the service. He said the participants are excited to attend what looks to be a huge event.

"We've been working on this issue since last semester and this event just makes it more alive," Pando said.

Rackham student Tanus Saad, who is also a site leader for Miami said he is impressed by the Cuban exile groups' efforts to coordinate the service.

"It's amazing that they could organize this event in just a week," Saad said. "I think it says a lot about the Cuban American community."

Site participants said that they feel privileged to be involved. "I am excited to be with all these other organizations," Saad said.

One participant, LSA sophomore Rita Gonzalez, agreed that the event is important to the Cuban community.

"I feel like I'm actually a part of something," Gonzalez said.

Students also see the trip as an important learning experience.

"I'm more curious than anything else," said Alberto Cano, who is a graduate student in the School of Public Policy. "I think this will give me a better idea about what's going on."