Descansos, an assignment

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EL PASO, Texas — I suspect that descansos, or roadside memorials, exist all over the United States and, for that matter, all over the world. Still, their presence here on the U.S. / Mexican border conveys a special significance for the Latino community. This is a culture intensely religious and fervent about family that does not relinquish its children, fathers, mothers, or grandparents readily. The composition of our local descansos varies widely, ranging from machined metal plaques to elaborate concoctions of garish flowers, nostalgic photos and the ubiquitous crosses. Ultimately, descanso symbolism, whether religious or secular, is implicitly heartrending: This marks the geographical location where a soul has escaped a broken human body.

Heinz Duerkop filled our neighborhood with happiness

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EL PASO, Texas — One year and five months ago—on Fathers Day—Heinz Duerkop was riding his bike on George Dieter and Pocahontas in El Paso, Texas. He was struck from behind and killed. The police conducted an investigation, but to this point no arrest has been made. According to the police report, white paint chips were recovered from the scene. One witness, Nora Hodges was about to drink her morning cup of coffee when she heard a loud thump and, out her window, saw dust swirling in the air.

Standardized Descansos

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EL PASO, Texas — On Dec. 29, it’ll be three years since Grace Talamantes last saw her daughter. However, each time she passes by the intersection of Montana and Hawkins, where a blue-tinted aluminum panel sign imprinted with a message “Please Don’t Drink and Drive In Memory of Valerie Talamantes” marks her daughter’s last moments, she is reminded of Valerie. “The timing was right,” Talamantes said. “It’s a constant reminder for me just knowing that was her last place that she was at and, at the same token, letting people know where ever they see them that it’s something that can happen to anybody everywhere.”

The sign is used to remember Valerie, who passed away after a drunk driver barreled into the back of her sitting-vehicle in 2007, and to raise awareness and deter drunk driving.

Martin Cano – Living too fast

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Martin Cano

December 1989 – March 2008

EL PASO, Texas —When driving, we often come across roadside memorials in remembrance of someone whose life was lost in a car accident. A descanso, meaning “to rest,” is a cross or other memorial left by the family or friends of the deceased marking the last place on earth where their loved one was alive. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car crashes are the leading cause of death in teens, and one out of three is alcohol-related. Such was the case of Martin Cano, a Santa Teresa High School senior who along with his friend Adrian Navarro passed away the night of March 23rd, 2008. “I didn’t think it was correct for Martin to drink at such a young age and I would tell him ‘mijo, calm down, you’re living your life too fast,’” Carolina Cano, Martin’s mother recalls.