Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Carmen Fleischmann | Twenty years after Operation Sea Signal, Hector Lans, a member of the Miami Medical...... read more read more
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GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba - “Twenty years ago, when the world saw a mass exodus of Cubans trying to gain freedom, they were brought here at Guantanamo Bay and a few weeks after dozen of Cuban American doctors, nurses, support personnel decided that they wanted to help … these people left their families, their jobs. They paid for themselves to come here and for many, many weeks they took care of many thousands of women, children and men that were housed here.”
These were the opening words given by mayor of Miami, Tomás Pedro Regalado, during the Miami Medical Team’s commemoration ceremony held Friday at the Naval Station Guantanamo Bay base chapel on the 20th anniversary of Operation Sea Signal.
Mayor Regalado served as a journalist during Operation Sea Signal and says he was honored to recognize the heroism displayed by the members of the Miami Medical Team, some present at the ceremony, and to also remember those Cuban refugees that died in search of a better life.
Operating under stressful conditions, Sea Signal participants comprised of both active duty military and non-governmental agencies and volunteers saved more than 60,000 Cuban and Haitian refugees hoping to find freedom and a new way of life.
In recognizing the efforts of the doctors and nurses of the Miami medical community, Regalado was joined by mayor of Coral Gables, the Honorable James Carson, former ambassador to Paraguay, who served as the chief of the U.S. Intersection in Havana, Cuba during the crisis in 1994.
In May of 1994, a U.S. policy allowed the screening of Hatian refugees onboard vessels, rather than immediately returning them to their home country. This decision created a sudden outflow of Hatian migrants. To prevent the loss of life at sea and thwart the illegal immigration into the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard vessels interdicted and rescued migrants. Initially intending to safeguard the migrants in Kingston, Jamaica, once the location was overwhelmed in numbers, Guantanamo became the next alternative to provide temporary shelter.
In August ‘94, the humanitarian effort became further complicated when Fidel Castro revised his internal policy to allow Cubans to leave the island. Approximately 45,000 Cubans took to the straits of Florida with small children, elderly and their families, disregarding the hazards of the ocean. Those Cuban refugees were also redirected to Guantanamo temporarily until they were either legally brought to the U.S. or returned to their homes. Not everyone survived however, and those that landed here still had to endure less-than-ideal conditions, needing medical treatment, food and water.
Guarione Diaz, the civilian liaison during Operation Sea Signal, appointed by then President Bill Clinton to build relationships between the Cuban population and the international community, said that it was hope that urged the immigrants forward.
“They never lost their hope that they will be able to reach the United States,” said Diez. “Once again … America extended its arms to the needy, to the helpless, to those who were seeking freedom and a better life. Spending enormous resources to make this happen and were very successful at it.”
By making the journey to Guantanamo, the Miami Medical Team saved countless lives that would have otherwise been lost. With their contribution, came much sacrifice. Many of the medical personnel abandoned their practices back home and financed the venture, most often lodging alongside the refugees, displaying a level of care and selfless service not often associated with the island.
“The world looks at Guantanamo now and have an impression of what they think Guantanamo is about,” said Navy Cmdr. Colin Caswell, Naval Station Guantanamo Bay’s executive officer. “What some people don’t realize or remember is that 20 years ago in Guantanamo, the light of humanity, of hope, shown very brightly.”
Caswell explained that the highlights of his career were providing humanitarian missions, and while it was his assigned duty to assist, he applauds those that volunteered to help their fellow man.
“You never stand taller than when you’re helping someone,” said Caswell. “These represented organizations, they did it because from far away they knew it was the right thing to do – to come together to help people.”
The Miami Medical Team has responded to humanitarian missions all over the world, and they are now apart of Guantanamo’s history. A plaque commemorating the historical event will be placed here so that the Cuban and Cuban American community will always remember the valiant efforts performed by the Miami Medical Team during Operation Sea Signal.
| Date Taken: | 08.26.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 08.26.2014 15:58 |
| Story ID: | 140431 |
| Location: | GUANTANAMO BAY , CU |
| Web Views: | 208 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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