During the event, held in the Christopher Columbus Necropolis, Havana City Historian Eusebio Leal stated that all generations of Cubans should know and pay tribute to Máximo Gómez.

He recalled chapters of the Dominican’s participation in Cuba’s independence struggle against Spanish colonialism, noting his incomparable way of fighting, leaving his horse and fighting on foot with a machete, serving as an example for so many.

The historian referred to the merits of Máximo Gómez, who Cuba’s national hero, José Martí, recognized and appointed as head of the Liberation Army.
The historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, described the Generalissimo, as Máximo Gómez is also known, as a “Cuban by right” given his courageous role in the Mambi Liberation wars, even though he was a native of the Dominican Republic.

“A humble son of this people, he was able to become a distinguished, affectionate son of the Cuban people, a right won in Cuba’s struggle for independence, to which he contributed his arm and his machete, his military genius and courage, his remarkable political talent and deeply revolutionary thought,” as Fidel Castro said in August of 1998 upon receiving the Dominican Republic’s Duarte, Sánchez and Mella Order of Merit, in the Grand Gold Plate Cross degree.

(Grsanma)

Upon choosing this date to bury the remains of our internationalist heroes who fell in different parts of the world, mainly in Africa, from where Maceo’s ancestors and a good part of our blood come, December 7 has become as an occasion to remember all Cubans who gave their lives not only in defense of the homeland, but of humanity as well. In this way, patriotism and internationalism, two of the most beautiful values that man has been able to create, are joined forever in Cuba’s history.

There are historical events that no one can erase. There are revolutionary examples that men and women of future generations, within and beyond our country, will not be able to forget.

Cuban Communists, and millions of revolutionary combatants that make up the ranks of our heroic and combative people, will know how to fulfill the role that history assigns us, not only as the first socialist state in the Western Hemisphere, but also as unwavering defenders in the front line of the noble cause of the world’s humble and exploited.

We have never aspired to be awarded the glorious flags and principles that the revolutionary movement has defended throughout its heroic, beautiful history, but if destiny were to assign us the role, one day, of remaining among the last defenders of socialism in a world in which the Yankee empire managed to embody Hitler’s dreams of dominating the world, we would know how to defend this bulwark to the last drop of our blood.

These men and women, to whom we now give an honorable burial in the warm earth where they were born, died for the most sacred values ​​of our history and our Revolution … May we be capable of following their example!- Source: Speech delivered in the memorial service for internationalists killed during the performance of honorable military and civilian missions, held in El Cacahual, December 7, 1989.

(Granma)

For thousands, daybreak came earlier today. Cuba has had bright dawns for almost six decades.

In the Plaza de la Revolución José Martí there are already many people waiting, they have come to accompany their leader once again: Fidel, Alejandro, the man who became a people.

The ceremonial battalion awaits. They are young, very young, and they march impeccably.

At six o’clock the artillery salutes resound, as if to remind us that there is silence, because they sound louder, they move.

It’s also time to raise the flag. At half-mast, because it’s the moment of a great.

And then, the first lights. It is a calm dawn, cool as if to lull to sleep, because in the bosom of the Homeland, a good son is being sung a lullaby.

Upon leaving the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, a friendly escort awaits, compañeros: Army Corps Generals, Leopoldo Cintra Frías, Joaquín Quintas Solá and Ramón Espinosa Martín.

The silence is interrupted with the cry of “Attention!” It’s just after seven on another November 30. It seems that the pages of Cuban history like coincidences, to ensure nothing is forgotten.

Two soldiers carry the treasure, wrapped in the flag of the solitary star, contained within cedar wood, and in gold letters a name is confirmed: Fidel Castro Ruz. A glass urn is placed on top to protect the remains.

Behind them comes Raúl, the brother, the compañero, the family that arrives at the farewell before the departure toward eternity. Also there are friends in the struggle.

The gun carriage that will carry the ashes is dressed with white flowers. The soldiers, as if caressing it, place the urn. The friendly escort is already in position. The command is to mount. And they start moving.

Hundreds of kilometers await ahead, recalling in reverse the Freedom Caravan that then celebrated the triumph. And triumphantly he returns to Santiago, to be close to Martí.

The journey begins first toward the square, then a city, another, the whole of Cuba… Then begins the infinite cry of “Viva!” and “Glory!” to Fidel, to Alejandro, the man who became a people.

(Granma)