Everyone at Simaxis remembers that day: Donald Patrick Murray (Don Murray) visited the country at the end of May 2013 to receive honorary citizenship amidst a huge crowd. A tribute that the country had wanted to reserve for him for the humanitarian project in favor of political refugees. This is why so many are crying over his death now.
The American actor, who became famous for the 1965 film "Bus Stop", in which he starred alongside Marilyn Monroe, died last Friday at the age of 94. In Simaxis he was considered one of the country. More than sixty years ago he set up an agricultural company aimed at social reintegration through the Help project. Together with his wife Hope Lange and his friend Belden Paulson, he bought over fifty hectares of land to create an agricultural company that could provide work to political refugees, but also to the inhabitants themselves. The company hosted people who came from different European countries. Some married local women, where relatives still live today.
«I am excited and surprised - the actor said in front of the crowd during the ceremony - I didn't think that after so many years people would still remember our project. I really thank everyone, for me it's a very beautiful moment, I didn't expect this welcome." But not only. The actor drew lots of applause when he stated that upon his death part of his ashes would be taken to Simaxis to grow a tree. And who knows if this will really happen.
