Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, leader of the Cuban Revolution, congratulated the soldiers of the Eastern Army on Tuesday, on the occasion of the commemoration, this April 21st, the 65th anniversary of the founding of that armed corps, “which took place just two days after the great victory on the sands of Bay of Pigs and amid the revolutionary fervor we all felt after dealing the empire its first defeat in the Americas.”
“I recall from those founding days the order given by Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, who affirmed that ‘If we save the East, we save the Revolution!’, convinced of the strategic importance of that historically and geographically crucial region,” Raúl wrote in his greeting letter.
He emphasized that, “from that moment on, the path of the so-called ‘Lord Army’ was forged, not only because of its military might, but also because of its combative history, its unwavering confrontation of enemy provocations and aggressions, and its proven self-sacrifice in glorious internationalist missions.”
He also underscored “its contribution to our strategic conception of the War of all the People and its creative application, especially in these times of constant threat to the socialist homeland.
“Furthermore, the images of its brave troops engaged in rescue and relief efforts, and later in the recovery following the devastating winds of Hurricane Melissa, remain fresh in our minds—a tradition that has defined its entire history and for which they have received the gratitude of our beloved people,” he added.
“On this significant occasion, let us also pay heartfelt tribute and respect to those who fell in the line of duty. May the daily honor we bestow upon our heroes strengthen the firm conviction that the Eastern Army will resolutely confront any enemy aggression until victory is achieved.
“On this new anniversary, I send my congratulations to its founders and all the combatants for the results achieved,” stated the Army General in his message to the members of the Eastern Army, to whom he conveyed, in closing, “a warm embrace.”
