Monument honoring Bay of Pigs veterans unveiled in improved Miami park
The city of Miami debuted a renovated Bay of Pigs Memorial Park, including a new monument honoring the Cuban veterans who fought in the invasion to overthrow the island’s communist regime.
A ceremony to unveil the monument was held Wednesday, days before the 62nd anniversary of the failed invasion, which took place April 17-20, 1961. The park, located at 5665 SW 3rd St., also received several improvements in a $1.5 million upgrade that included a new playground, improved drainage and new sidewalks.
“One of my favorite José Martí phrases is, ‘In honoring, we are honored.’ The reconstruction of this park was one of my main promises made to those who left everything behind for their country,” said Miami City Commissioner Manolo Reyes, in a statement. The park is in his district.
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“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. I want to express my gratitude for fighting so bravely in Bay of Pigs to see a free Cuba,” he said.
The city combined funds from the Miami Forever Bond with dollars from the Miami Parking Authority and Miami-Dade County to complete the work.
Sculptor Nilda Comas created the monument, which includes a soldier and a Cuban flag, with a scene from the invasion etched into the flag. The soldier is a depiction of the first Cuban killed accidentally in Guatemala during training for the invasion. He wears the number 2506, which became the number of the brigade that led the invasion, and the name of the veterans’ association that exists today.
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Leaders in the Cuban exile community, including veterans of the invasion, attended Wednesday afternoon’s rain-soaked ribbon-cutting ceremony. Former county commissioner Rebeca Sosa sent a message thanking the city for spearheading the project and honoring those who lost their lives in the invasion.
“Those who are still here continue to be a testament to the major sacrifice and good example they set,” Sosa said. “Those who died, from heaven, are still fighting for a free Cuba.”
