Miami honors Bay of Pigs veterans. Don’t allow the story of their heroism to fade into history | Opinion
On a rain-soaked Wednesday afternoon, the city of Miami unveiled a statue commemorating the 62nd anniversary this month of the Bay of Pigs invasion, the one and last credible attempt by Cuban exiles to overthrow the communist regime of Fidel Castro on April 17-19, 1961.
It was a fittingly gloomy day for the dedication at the Bay of Pigs Memorial Park, at 200 NW 52nd Ave., attended by people who braved flooding to stand under umbrellas to remember some of the darkest days in the history of our Cuban-exile community.
This likely could be the last significant honor bestowed on the famous Brigade 2506 veterans, always considered heroes by exiles. They are a dying breed, and memory of their heroic act is fading.
Today, only 537 of the original 1,414 brigadistas are still with us. They are in their 80s and 90s, and to their children and grandchildren, and those of their generation, the story of the Bay of Pigs is a muted one.
But for “historic” Cuban exiles, these men are equal to the last survivors of the Civil War, World War I or World War II, and the invasion a historic fork in the road.
Miami would not have become home to over a million Cubans fleeing the island if the Cuban exiles had won and overthrown Castro during the invasion. How different Miami would be.
And for exiles, if President John F. Kennedy had not canceled critical air support at the last minute, the exiles feel that they would have overthrown Castro. But the United States quashed the possibility of another invasion, sealing the fate of Cuban exiles — as exiles.
We commend Miami Commissioner Manolo Reyes for championing the statue and the improvements at the park. It was a campaign promise kept, he said. There is now a piece of new outdoor fitness equipment, a children’s playground, a walking path, a drinking fountain, lighting, sidewalk improvements and new landscaping to provide an enjoyable outdoor space for the community.
Over the next decades, maybe, once in a while, children will read the engraving on the statue explaining what the Bay of Pigs veterans tried to do for their country. It’s the best we can hope for.
“This park and particularly this new monument keeps the memory of those who died alive, as well as for all those who are still part of our community,” Reyes said. “I want to express my gratitude for fighting so bravely in the Bay of Pigs to see a free Cuba.”
We wish their bravery had been rewarded.
