Honouring José Marti: The Apostle of Cuban Independence

Capt Federico N. Garcia Leyva and Cdr Yves Tremblay release the ribbon for the commemoration wreath for José Marti in Havana, Cuba, on Nov. 20. Photo by Corporal Kenneth Galbraith, Formation Imaging Services

SLt Sean Ritchie, MARLANT PAO ~

I cultivate a white rose/In July as in January/For the sincere friend/Who gives me his hand frankly/And for the cruel person who tears/out the heart with which I live,/I cultivate neither nettles nor thorns:/I cultivate a white rose.
– Line from Cultivo Una Rosa Blanca by José Marti

The Apostle of Cuban Independence, José Marti, still holds a special place in the hearts of his countrymen 121 years after his passing. He has become such a prominent symbol in the Cuban culture that it is now a custom for visiting dignitaries to place a wreath at one of his memorial statues throughout the country.

In 2016 prominent North American leaders, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Barack Obama took part in this ceremony, and now Cdr Yves Tremblay, Commanding Officer of HMCS Fredericton, can say the same.

On Sunday Nov. 20, Cdr Tremblay stood with members of the Canadian Embassy to Cuba, Commodore Craig Baines, and Capitan De Navio Lazaro Rodriguez Perera, before the José Marti memorial in Parque Central, Havana, and watched as Cuban soldiers marched up with the traditional wreath in hand. With 50 smartly turned out members of his ship’s company behind him, Cdr Tremblay and Capitan Rodriguez approached to unveil the ceremonial ribbon, as has been done by those before him.

“It was a memorable experience for the crew and I to have participated in the wreath laying ceremony at the José Marti statue in Parque Central,” said Cdr Yves Tremblay. “Involvement in an event such as this allows the ship and the Royal Canadian Navy to generate goodwill, create dialogue, and develop relationships with host countries while we are alongside.”

José Marti was a respected figure in the Cuban fight for liberation from Spain in the late 1800s and has become commonly known as the Apostle of Cuban Independence. He remains an important figure to the people of Cuba and the participation of Fredericton in this ceremony is seen as a goodwill gesture between two nations looking to strengthen and prosper their diplomatic relationship.

After the ceremony, Fredericton sailors were afforded the opportunity to meet and greet Cuban citizens and tourists who were very interested in taking pictures with the recently arrived crew.

This ceremony carried significant importance for the Royal Canadian Navy as Fredericton became the first Canadian warship to participate in the service, as the memorial was not constructed until 1958. With another ‘first’ in their pocket it remains to be seen through what waves Fredericton and her crew will sail next.