Havana, April 17 (RHC)-- Veterans of Playa Girón, also known as the Bay of Pigs, were recognized over the weekend by younger generations for their role in defending the Cuban Revolution during the mercenary attack in 1961.

At the Havana cinema located on the corner of 23rd and 12th streets, almost half a block from where Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro proclaimed the socialist character of the Cuban Revolution on April 16, 1961, the 56th anniversary of this historic date was celebrated.  

The declaration by Fidel came during the funeral ceremonies for those who had been killed during the aerial bombardment of air bases of Ciudad Libertad, San Antonio de los Baños and Santiago de Cuba, which served as a prelude to the invasion of Playa Girón.

According to Yuniasky Crespo, a member of the Executive Bureau of the Provincial Committee of the Communist Party in Havana, the victory of Playa Girón demonstrated to the world what the Cuban people were capable of accomplishing

Crespo said that the anniversary marked a day of honor and glory, of respect, sacrifice and commitment.  The event was attended by the highest representatives of the Cuban Communist Party and the government in the capital: Mercedes López Acea, member of the Party Political Bureau and a vice president of the Council of State; and Reinaldo García Zapata, respectively.

The 60th Anniversary of the Revolutionary Armed Forces medal was also presented to representatives of the combatants of Playa Girón, in recognition of their service to the Cuban Revolution.