Havana Province, Cuba. - A tradition of deep patriotic roots that summarizes Cuban people’s feelings was born 20 years ago. On December 7 1989, 2 077 Cuban soldiers that had fallen in other lands of the world were finally laid to rest in the grateful Homeland that saw them born.

As Fidel pointed out once, internationalism was a Cuban debt of gratitude with its brothers and sisters of many African countries. It was also continuity to the genuine example that Heroic Guerilla Fighter Ernesto Che Guevara bequeathed us.

On that occasion the main scenario of the homage was a place sacred for all Cubans. El Cacahual is where the bodies of Major General Antonio Maceo and his assistant Captain Francisco Gomez Toro rest forever.

But the burial ceremonies took place all over the country, in each of the municipalities where the fallen in battle were born. They were attended by relatives, friends, workmates, neighbors and all the people that honored these men’s and women’s selfless courage and sacrifice.

Operation Tribute was the name of the homage to the heroes of Cuban epic in Africa. December 7 has since become a date of remembrance. The highest local authorities of Communist Party, Government and Association of Combatants of the Cuban Revolution (ACRC) preside over the pilgrimages to the Pantheon of the Fallen in defense of the Homeland. Workers, peasants, students and all the people accompany them.

Colonel German Ferraz, vice-president of ACRC in Havana Province, indicated that tribute was paid to the 108 internationalist fighters who died in African lands. The central ceremony took place in San Nicolas. However, each municipality of Havana Province, like the rest of the country, paid tribute of admiration and respect to those fallen in the line of duty of internationalist missions.

Translated by: Pedro A. Fanego

( 03.12.2009 10:13 AM )