Forrest Whitman - Unofficial Goodwill Ambassador
Written by Luz Stella Diaz
Longtime resident of Salida, Forrest Whitman, is an unofficial goodwill ambassador. A familiar figure in downtown, greeting everyone in English or Spanish, and knowing almost everything that is happening.
His story begins in the Midwest. Born and raised in Chicago, he “grew up with a rail yard behind his house”. Watching the trains led to a long-term love of the rails.
This love helped him during his early adult years. He attended college in Chicago, and as he says, “he was hanging out at universities for 8 years” trying to get different degrees (Philosophy was his major), making some money working on the railroads while supporting his family.
He ended up moving to Colorado where he started to write, helped people less fortunate, became interested in politics, worked as county commissioner in another county, learned Spanish, and got involved with the Democratic Party because “He was born a Democrat”. Forrest likes to write. “Writing is fun and I like to write important stuff”. Colorado Central Magazine and local newspapers have been recipients of his railroad and life knowledge.
As part of his passion for helping people, Forrest got involved with a Colorado church as an employee and as a member. He is no longer with the church but says “He liked it and still likes the church. It is a peace church, working towards peaceful solutions to conflicts”.
Forrest and the church helped refugees, asylum seekers, and people looking for sanctuary. This “life passion” took place in the USA but also took him to several countries in Central America where one of the “dirty wars” was raging. It was a challenging time and he found himself in opposition to various law enforcement agencies.
“That sounds over the top heroic. I don’t think anybody felt heroic, we were just helping out”.
He is not as active as he used to be, due to health issues, but he still writes, is married to his wonderful wife Frances, volunteers, keeps in touch with his family, has a radio show, reads in English and Spanish, gets his daily morning coffee at his favorite coffee shop and adores the mountains surrounding beautiful Salida.
In addition, Forrest continues to be part of many different organizations such as those with interest in reform to the prison system, in alternatives to justice and to traditional punishment, in sanctuary movements, and in assistance to refugees.
Although he is aware of the challenges of a tourist town such as housing and stable jobs, he is proud of his Salida community. Forrest believes that “in Salida, we open our hearts to different groups”.
Forrest Whitman, residente de Salida desde hace mucho tiempo, es un embajador no oficial de buena voluntad. Es una figura familiar en el centro, saludando en inglés o español, y al tanto de casi todo lo que está pasando en Salida.
Su historia comienza en el medio oeste. Nacido y criado en Chicago, "creció con ferrocarriles detrás de su casa". Ver los trenes resultó en un amor a largo plazo por los rieles.
Este amor lo ayudó durante sus primeros años como adulto. Asistió a la universidad en Chicago y como él dice, "estuvo pasando el rato en universidades durante 8 años", tratando de obtener diferentes títulos (Filosofía era su especialidad), ganando algo de dinero trabajando en los ferrocarriles mientras mantenía a su familia.
Terminó mudándose a Colorado donde comenzó a escribir, ayudó a personas menos afortunadas, se interesó en la política, trabajó como comisionado del condado, aprendió español y se involucró con el Partido Demócrata porque “El nació demócrata”.
A Forrest le gusta escribir. “Escribir es divertido y me gusta escribir cosas importantes”. Colorado Central Magazine y periódicos locales han recibido su conocimiento sobre los ferrocarriles y la vida.
Como parte de su pasión por ayudar, Forrest se involucró con una iglesia de Colorado como empleado y como miembro. Ya no está con la iglesia, pero dice: “Le gustó y todavía le gusta la iglesia. Es una iglesia de paz que trabaja en soluciones pacíficas a conflictos”.
Forrest y la iglesia ayudaron a refugiados, solicitantes de asilo y personas que buscaban santuario. Esta “pasión de vida” tuvo lugar en Estados Unidos, pero también en varios países de América Central donde se estaba librando una de las “guerras sucias”. Fueron momentos difíciles, donde él se encontró en oposición a organizaciones del orden público.
“Eso suena exageradamente heroico. No creo que nadie se sintiera un héroe, solo estábamos ayudando”.
Ya no es tan activo como solía ser, por problemas de salud, pero todavía escribe, está casado con su maravillosa esposa Frances, es voluntario, se mantiene en contacto con su familia, tiene un programa de radio, lee en inglés y español, toma su café diariamente en su cafetería favorita y adora las montañas que rodean a Salida.
Adicionalmente, Forrest continúa siendo parte de diferentes organizaciones interesadas en reformas al sistema penitenciario, en alternativas a la justicia y al castigo tradicional, en movimientos santuario y en asistencia a refugiados.
Aunque es consciente de los retos que hay en un pueblo turístico, como vivienda y trabajos estables, está orgulloso de la comunidad de Salida. Forrest cree que “en Salida abrimos el corazón a diferentes grupos”.