It was one of the most moving moments I've experienced in 18 years of traveling to Cuba. Wells Todd, an African-American and member of VFP Jacob George Chapter 174 in Jacksonville, Florida asked if he could salute the Cubans who, as Nelson Mandela said "were a key reason the scourge of apartheid finally ended in South Africa".
Many of the Cuban Veterans we've met, have served in Angola, fighting apartheid in Africa. I asked the Cubans and they were also moved by Well's request. The Cubans noted it was the first time they had ever received a salute from an American. They happily complied, and returned his salute.
On the eve of President Obama's historic meeting in Havana, it was a very touching moment which I must admit brought a tear to my eye.
Caption: Wells Todd, former Sgt. U.S. Army, salutes Col. Edel Perez Dunnutz, of the Cuban Revolutionary Army, who spent several tours in Angola, and Dr. Jorge Dominguez Vergara, who ran a field hospital in Africa. Dr. Vergara later ran the Havana Red Cross. As an African-American soldier, Todd said it was an emotional moment to meet some of those who put their lives on the line to fight racism.
Todd was on the 4th VFP-led tour to Cuba. The trip included several other peace activists. VFP member Jim Ryerson is the Cuba trip coordinator.
Submitted by
Jim Ryerson