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Founders' memories
Text and picture: Maricela
Menendez
 Havana
Province, Cuba. - Avelino Gutierrez and Rodolfo
Gonzalez are fully aware, like most Cubans, of
the need to protect the Revolution against terrorism
and invasions. We must strengthen our people’s
fighting capacity after 5 decades plagued with
laws and arbitrary sanctions enforced against
the Island by US government.
They have always lived
in the municipality of Bauta, Havana Province.
Their memories go back to the last years before
January 1 1959, the date of the triumph of Cuban
Revolution.
Avelino studied in Marianao
Institute of Economy. This young man was not oblivious
of the harassment unleashed by Fulgencio Batista’s
military dictatorship. His understanding of the
situation made him join the National Revolutionary
Militia soon enough. He joined the ranks of Battalion
116.
Rodolfo used to work
at the “Ariguanabo Textile Plant”,
property of US citizen Dayton Hedges. Most Militia
Battalions in the West of the country were founded
by workers from that industry. Battalions 120,
132 and 116 were made up by inhabitants of municipalities
of the current capital city. In those days, Havana
Province and Havana City were only one province.
Others were from Guanajay, Caimito, Bauta and
San Antonio de los Baños.
Both participated in
the struggle against bandits in “Escambray”
Mountain Range; in Playa Giron battle, the first
great defeat of imperialism in Latin America;
and the October Crisis.
Five decades later,
they continue defending the Motherland. In spite
of their gray hair, they are entrusted with important
responsibilities. Rodolfo Gonzalez is the president
of the Association of Combatants of the Cuban
Revolution (ACRC) in Bauta. Avelino Gutierrez
is the secretary for ideological, political and
internationalist education.
The history of
these two Bauta citizens is the same of thousands
of countrymen. They stepped forward to defend
Cuba since the first days after the triumph of
the Revolution. Today they also participate in
the defense exercises “Bastion 2009.
Translated by:Pedro
A. Fanego
(
28.11.2009 10:01 AM
)
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