One must think of Almeida whenever the task seems great

At just a few years of age, when life is still a promise and not a certainty, Juan Almeida Bosque knew how to answer the call of his land to triumph or die.

He was early a soldier of the homeland, and reached it aboard the illustrious yacht that was the herald of freedom. Then a fearless guerrilla fighter, later a military strategist. There was no difficulty that made him falter, nor responsibility that he did not assume with exemplary conduct and nobility.

In Almeida, the Commander, art also resided. The delicate sound of his songs, the joy of music, the constant flirtation with creation showed him to be one of the most complete revolutionaries of his time.

Today, on his 99th anniversary, the invitation is to remember him. But not like one who leafs through an album of old photographs, but rather like one who seeks strength for new missions. Examples like his never perish.

One must think of him whenever the task seems too great, whenever one must reaffirm fidelity to this cause that leaves no one forsaken. That certainty was born in him on that unforgettable night when Fidel ordered the yacht to stop and risk everything for the life of one man. There Almeida understood that the cause was others.

When strength, paradigms, dreams are needed to go in search of others, one must remember Almeida. When the path becomes more difficult, when tiredness tries to impose itself and an annexationist chorus calls for discouragement; then, from the Sierra, from history, from all the trenches, the virile voice of Almeida will resonate: «No one gives up here!» (Author: Jorge Enrique Jerez Belisario)