Del Rio News Herald

It was the perfect day for a hug.

On Friday afternoon, elected officials, civic leaders and young people from two cities in two nations gathered atop Amistad Dam under faultless blue skies to exchange the traditional abrazo - hug - signifying the friendship and cooperation between Del Rio and its sister city Ciudad Acuna, Coah., Mexico.

“We have gathered here to commemorate what has become a tradition between our two countries. This is the 49th anniversary of the ceremony. . . This 'abrazo' commemorates the ceremony that took place on Oct. 24., 1960 between our two presidents, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Adolfo Lopez Mateos,” announced Sergio Diaz, who, along with Zurivette Pulido, served as emcees for the event.

The abrazo is held each year as part of the International Good Neighbor Council's Fiesta Amistad celebration and is conducted on Amistad Dam in the shadow of the two massive bronze eagles that represent the Republic of Mexico and the United States of America.

Each year the abrazo ceremony begins with the presentation of the flags of the two nations, and each year the countries alternate as to which presents its colors first.

This year, it was the turn of the U.S. to go first.

Citizens of Mexico stood in respectful silence as the U.S. flag was posted by the Del Rio High School Air Force ROTC Honor Guard and the National Anthem was performed by the Del Rio Middle School Band and sung by Del Rioan Robert Wade

U.S. citizens, in turn, stood in quiet respect as the flag of Mexico was posted by the Escuela Secundaria Hermanos Flores Magon. The national anthem of Mexico was performed by the Municipal Band of Ciudad Acuna.

The mayors of Del Rio and Ciudad Acuna were the first of many local elected, civic and business leaders to join in the traditional embrace.

Evaristo Lenin Perez, presidente municipal of Ciudad Acuna, and his wife, Esther Talamaz de Perez greeted Del Rio Mayor Efrain Valdez and his wife, Bibi Valdez.

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the construction of Amistad Dam, Friday’s abrazo ceremony also included C.W. “Bill” Ruth and Roberto Salmon Costela, commissioners of the International Boundary and Water Commission.

Del Rioan Sue Murdoch was presented with a plaque naming her Mrs. Amistad 2009-2010.

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