Floral offering to the Father of the Homeland.   Photo:ACN

Santiago de Cuba, June 18 (RHC)-- A wreath on behalf of the Cuban people was laid today in front of the funeral monument erected to Carlos Manuel de Céspedes in the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, located in this city, on the occasion of Father's Day.

The tribute was led by José Ramón Monteagudo, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba in the southeastern territory, and Beatriz Johnson, Governor.

The ceremony was also attended by Victor Emilio Dreke Cruz, second in command of Che Guevara of the internationalist combatants in the Congo, leaders of political and mass organizations in the province, representatives of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior, combatants of the Revolution and a representation of the people of Santiago.

After the traditional changing of the Guard of Honor, led by the Ceremony Unit in charge of guarding the path of the founding fathers of the nation, the attendees also placed loose flowers on the tombs of National Hero José Martí, the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz, and other valuable men who fought for the freedom of the Caribbean island.

Juan Antonio Banderas, director of the company Geocuba Oriente Sur, referred to the Cuban News Agency the honor of honoring the martyrs who gave their lives for a sovereign nation, and urged to never forget the history of Cuba.

Céspedes, upon receiving a message from the Captain General of the Island informing him of the capture and death sentence of his youngest son Oscar by the enemy, expressed: "Oscar is not my only son, I am the father of all Cubans who have died for the Revolution", an attitude that earned him the title of Father of the Homeland.

Every third Sunday of June those born in Cuba celebrate Father's Day as a way of recognizing the affection, love, respect and dedication of their father figures.(Source:ACN)