| COMMUNITY |
| Message Boards Chat Feedback |
| SITE SOURCES |
| Contents Help! Search CNN Networks |
| SPECIALS |
| Quick News Almanac Video Vault News Quiz |
|
Remembering the USS Maine -- in communist Cuba
An American sailor places a flag at the USS Maine memorial in Havana Americans part of friendly Memorial Day invasion
From Havana Bureau Chief Lucia Newman
May 25, 1998
Web posted at: 5:59 p.m. EDT (2159 GMT)HAVANA (CNN) -- A group of American sailors brought a Memorial Day tradition to communist Cuba on Monday, honoring the American dead from a long ago war even as they skirted current U.S. policy toward the island.
They laid a wreath in honor of 267 soldiers who died in the line was duty while serving aboard the USS Maine, a warship that blew up and sank in Havana's harbor 100 years ago. The incident led to the Spanish-American War and the first U.S. military intervention in Cuba.
VXtreme streaming video (2:18)
About two dozen red-shirted American civilians gathered at the memorial built long ago in honor of the Maine, to pray and remember.
"Dear Father, thank you for the trip over to Cuba, the safe passage, than you for all the help you have given us, thank you for these men who gave their lives for the American cause," prayed one of the men.
One of the nearly 150 boats taking part in the Tampa, Florida to Havana regatta No one in Havana can remember a Memorial Day ceremony taking place at the monument since the 1959 revolution, but the Americans say they felt obliged to pay their respects as they too are men of the sea.
They are part of the biggest invasion of Americans into Cuba since the revolution. Around 150 sailboats and yachts carrying nearly 1,500 Americans took part in this year's Tampa, Florida to Havana regatta.
Participants were thrilled to be in Cuba, even if the U.S. government would prefer that they stay away.
"The people were warm, they were friendly, they welcomed us and it's a great sail!," said one American.
'Forbidden fruit' of Cuba
Another acknowledged that part of the attraction is that the regatta represents a 'forbidden fruit' because of the U.S. economic embargo against the island.
Two Americans celebrating at Havana's Marina Hemingway The U.S. government has announced it will redouble its efforts to punish Americans who violate U.S. law when they visit Cuba.
That's why Capt. Ira Rowe says the regatta participants are playing it by the book.
"You can't spend money, so you have to bring all your own food, stay aboard the boat. You have to walk, and do a lot of inconvenient things," Rowe said.
Since the Americans aren't supposed to spend money, their Cuban hosts at Havana's Marina Hemingway are providing beer and entertainment, and the party atmosphere seemed undampened by the restrictions.
The Cubans and the Americans say the celebration is an investment in the future, and they never tire of repeating that the water that separates the United States and Cuba can also bring them together.
Related stories:
- Clinton honors those 'who gave their all' - May 25, 1998
- America remembers its war dead on Monday - May 24, 1998
- Remembering the Maine - February 15, 1998
Related sites:
Note: Pages will open in a new browser windowExternal sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.
|
Sound off on our message boards & chat |
|
© 1998 Cable News Network, Inc.
A Time Warner Company
All Rights Reserved.