Leonel Morejon Almagro. February 26, 2002.
The Miami Herald.
Pablo Morales, who was killed at 29, was representative of the new
generation of Cubans. He was born within the ''Castro revolution,'' but wasn't
happy in Cuba though communism named him a ''new man''. In his first struggles,
he found a way out via the sea. There on a raft, he was rescued in l992 and
brought to South Florida. He was killed just four years later -- six years ago
today -- while working with his savior: Brothers to the Rescue. He was a geodesy
technician and he loved the land left behind.
Carlos Alberto Acosta was born in Florida, the second home to Cubans. He
graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He climbed the corporate
ladder at one of the nation's largest and busiest airports. He was a freedom
lover and confessed to his parents his dreams of a democratic and free Cuban.
Carlos could have had anything, but choose sacrifice and spent his time
saving lives. When the people met him they had little choice but to love him and
his honest smile. He was killed at age 29.
''I can't conceive life without freedom of expression; I've always thought
of it as something natural and now I realize how important and fundamental it is
in life and how terrible it is to live without it,'' said Mario de la Peña.
Mario was born in New Jersey, home to the second biggest Cuban city in America,
where he learned the poems of Marti and heard his first Cuban song in his mom's
tenderness.
Mario graduated with honors from Miami-Dade Community College. Mario the
seraphim wished to fly before he could walk. His eyes were always full of dreams
and blues. When he was killed, he was a senior at Embry-Riddle, just 24.
Armando Alejandre, born in Havana of Cuban parents, arrived in the United
States when he was 10 years old. Eight years later, he enlisted in the U.S.
Marine Corps and volunteered to fight in Vietnam, without even being a citizen
yet.
Armando graduated from Florida International University. He brought flowers
to his wife during 21 years and left to his daughter his infinite love.
A week before two lieutenant colonels of the Cuban Air Forces killed him and
his three friends, he wrote in an article entitled Dreamers of the Day: "The
gathering proposed for Feb. 24 through 27 presents a defiance to the regime as
it encounters organized dissidence at a time of economic difficulties and
forecasts of economic crisis: the type of dissidence that has attracted the
attention and support of world personalities like former British Prime Minister
Thatcher, Czech President Havel and renowned dissident Elena Bonner (widow of
Andre Sakharov), the Spanish presidential candidate Jose Maria Aznar.
"Just this past week an open letter of support to Concilio was signed
by over 200 international personalities, including politicians and 11 Nobel
Prize winners. Also supporting this effort are our two local federal
representatives Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Lincoln Díaz-Balart. The European
Parliament has mirrored Concilio's demands as condition for a dialogue with
Castro. The pressure increases.''
The assassins longed to take these four lives precisely on Feb. 24, 1996;
but they couldn't. They killed their civilian Cessna planes with their powerful
MiG 29 war guns. But they didn't touch their faces. The faces of heroes and
martyrs live on in the memory of the people.
They are the angels of a sacred cause even when awaiting a just end. Pablo,
Carlos Alberto, Mario and Armando are the symbols of the natural concilio --
council -- that endures regardless of the wishes of Castro. Pablo is of the
Cuban generations born within the revolution who want freedom and new
opportunities. Carlos Alberto and Mario are paradigms of Cuban Americans who
have grown up in America, helping to build this nation without forgetting the
commitment to the land of their fathers.
I must confess my admiration before so many examples of young professionals
who have conquered the American Dream, but keep their Cuban dreams, too. I have
met these sons of Cubans born under the American flag, who at the same time have
the word Patria chiseled by fire, with palms, sones and verses of the master
Marti in their souls.
Armando, 45, was a model of the first emigration. He gave his best for this
country and didn't stop struggling for Cuban freedom. They must be honored as
hope keepers and patriots.
Castro gave the command to kill these four excellent people and Castro
enclosed behind bars hundreds of Cubans who had asked and wanted to have a
peaceful meeting in Cuba on Feb. 24, 1996 -- including me. These Cubans came
under the banner Concilio Cubano. The regime's goal also was to kill Concilio
Cubano. But it, too, lives on in spirit.
Castro has shown his cowardice. We know his weakness. What are we Cubans
waiting for? We have four angels to point to the goal.
We must forget forever our failures and mistakes. No one is perfect. But who
do we want to be? By unifying, those brave dissidents inside Cuba would deal the
regime a mortal blow. And exiles could come meet with them, as well. This time,
all must to go to the appointment without excuses. The Patria is waiting.
Leonel Morejón Almagro was a founder of Concilio Cubano, a
coalition of dissident groups that were to meet on the day of Brothers to the
Rescue shoot-down. He now lives in Michigan. |