Vol. 79/No. 9      March 16, 2015

“The homeland can count on these five soldiers,” Hernández said. We will “always be loyal to the ideas of Martí, of Che, of Fidel and of Raúl.”

Hernández was speaking on behalf of the men known around the world as the Cuban Five, who were reunited on Cuban soil Dec. 17, more than 16 years after they were arrested and railroaded to prison by the U.S. government. The trumped-up charges against them included conspiracy to engage in espionage and, in the case of Hernández, conspiracy to commit murder. Their real “crime” was their commitment to defense of Cuba’s socialist revolution.

Bowing to worldwide demands to free the Cuban Five was part of a broader shift in tactics by the U.S. capitalist rulers, who remain committed to their historic aim of erasing the example of the property and social relations conquered by workers and farmers in Cuba over more than 55 years.

The distinction “Hero of the Republic” had been bestowed many years earlier on Hernández, Labañino, Guerrero, Fernando González and René González by Cuba’s National Assembly of People’s Power — on Dec. 29, 2001, just days after a U.S. federal court had sentenced each of them to draconian prison terms, three to life without parole. But the occasion to present each of them medals corresponding to that recognition was the ceremony here in Havana marking the 120th anniversary of the reinitiation of Cuba’s war for independence in 1895.

Broadcast live on Cuban TV, the Feb. 24 event was both a solemn tribute to the Five Heroes and a moment of celebration and joy for the Cuban people. By decision of the Council of State, the Order of Playa Girón was also bestowed on each of them for their “decisive defense of the homeland.”

“Our first thought is one of gratitude and loyalty to those who throughout history, with their sacrifice, have made possible that we live in a socialist, revolutionary, victorious Cuba,” Hernández said, “conscious that it is up to our generation, and those which are to come, to defend the continuity of this work, the dreams and ideals of our liberators.”

Following Hernández’s remarks, Eusebio Leal, historian of the city of Havana, spoke about Cuba’s independence struggle against Spanish colonial rule. The program concluded with a performance by La Colmenita, Cuba’s world-renowned children’s theater group.

Speaking a few days later on Cuba’s Radio Rebelde, René González said what touched him most about the ceremony was the emotion in Raúl’s face as he awarded the medals. “I think he was seeing his sons receiving from his generation the results of the struggle that generation has waged for so many years.”

Several days later Hernández, Labañino, Guerrero, Fernando González and René González spent five hours with Fidel Castro discussing their experiences. “None of the Five Heroes carried out their work in search of applause, awards, or glory,” Fidel wrote in his account of that meeting. “They received their honorific titles because they didn’t seek them out.”

Below is the full text of the Feb. 24 remarks by Gerardo Hernández, released in English by Cuba’s Council of State. The transcript in Spanish will be run in the next issue.

Dear compañero Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, President of the Councils of State and Ministers; Compañeras and compañeros:

Honoring the Cuban men and women who on a day such as this, 120 years ago, decided to return to arms to struggle for the homeland’s independence, is the best way to accept the “Hero of the Republic” honorific title, which has generously been awarded to five Cubans of these times whose achievement was none other than that of having fulfilled our duty.

José Martí, the soul of that national uprising of February 24, 1895, stated that the ability to be a hero is measured by the respect shown those who have been heroes. Thus, on a day such as this, our first thought is one of gratitude and loyalty to those who throughout history, with their sacrifice, have made possible that we live in a socialist, revolutionary, victorious Cuba, conscious that it is up to our generation, and those which are to come, to defend the continuity of this work, the dreams and ideals of our liberators.

The first thoughts of the Five today must be for a man whose leadership and strategic vision were decisive to the battle which led to our freedom, and who with his example instilled in us a spirit of struggle, resistance and sacrifice. And who taught us that the word surrender does not exist in the dictionary of a revolutionary, and who, very early on, assured all Cubans that the Five would return to the homeland. Comandante en Jefe: This distinction which we proudly receive today is also yours. (Applause)

To our Army General Raúl Castro, who did not rest until what Fidel had promised was accomplished, to all the men and women who already wear this honorable star on their chests, and were always an example to the Five, we say: This distinction is also yours. (Applause)

To the Cuban people who made the cause of the Five their own, and still today encourage us with their support and affection; to the leadership of our country’s Party and government; to the mass organizations, institutions, attorneys, religious bodies, figures and governments from other countries which stood in solidarity with our cause: This distinction is also yours. (Applause)

We also thank the sisters and brothers throughout the entire world who struggled shoulder to shoulder with us, over 16 years of legal and political battles, and say: This distinction is also yours. (Applause)

To our families, who struggled, suffered, and resisted with firmness for so many years, and to all of the persons who deserve to see this day but are no longer among us: This distinction is also yours. (Applause)

To the faceless heroes and heroines who will never be able to receive a public tribute such as this, but who have dedicated, dedicate, and will dedicate tomorrow, their lives to the defense of the country from anonymous trenches: Know, wherever you may be, that this distinction is also yours. (Applause)

This honor we receive today is, at the same time, a summons which demands that we rise to the occasion to meet the new challenges which the Revolution faces. More than a few times since our return, compatriots have approached us to say that they would have liked to have had the opportunity the Five had to protect our people from aggression. To them, and to all Cuban patriots, we say that our mission has not ended, and that they can join in.

The updating of our economic model in an effort to achieve a more efficient, prosperous and sustainable socialism, as well as the process of reestablishing relations with the United States, create a conjuncture of change, which demands that all of us act with intelligence, professionalism, commitment and conviction, to identify and confront the challenges and new perils which are coming.

There are, and will be, many ways to defend Cuba, and Cuba will always need loyal sons and daughters to protect her. It is encouraging to us to know that in the heart of this revolutionary people there are many “Five” willing to sacrifice all for their homeland.

With Ramón, René, Fernando and Antonio, we accept with pride and gratitude this great honor which the homeland confers upon us. The homeland can count on these five soldiers who today, before our people, reaffirm our commitment to serve you until our final days, and to always be loyal to the ideas of Martí, of Che, of Fidel and of Raúl. Thank you very much. (Applause)
 
 
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