Bloomington, (AP-RHC) -- A group of Bloomington residents who were in Cuba when President Barack Obama announced that the U.S. would work to restore normal diplomatic relations with the island nation say the historic moment was very emotional.

Twelve Bloomington residents were in Cuba on a 10-day trip to Bloomington’s sister city of Santa Clara, Villa Clara.

Cynthia Roberts, who was on that trip, says the group watched the simultaneous December 17th announcement by President Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro on TV with the Cubans they met on the trip.

Roberts tells The Herald-Times tears flowed when the move toward normal diplomatic relations for the first time in more than a half-century was announced.

A group Roberts founded called CUBAmistad has worked to bring needed goods to Cuba over the past 15 years.