65 years since the infamous Bay of Pigs Invasion<\/a>, an attempt to liberate Cuba from Fidel Castro\u2019s communist regime.<\/p>\nThat date \u2014 April 17 1961 \u2014 is one many Cuban Americans will never forget.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe decision was whether you put your country first or you put yourself first, and I made the decision to fight for my country and put my life on the line,\u201d said Rafael Montalvo, President of the Veterans Association of the Bay of Pigs.<\/p>\n
The date is now commemorated with the new Bay of Pigs Museum and Library, located off Southwest Eighth Street and 18th Avenue.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll these you see here are the starting of the plans \u2014 their uniforms, some of the arms they used,\u201d said Carlos Luis, President of the Bay of Pigs Museum and Library.<\/p>\n
The museum tells the story in a way it\u2019s never been told before.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe story is being told by the men who sacrificed themselves, so we\u2019ve been able to go ahead and record over 200 of them,\u201d said Luis. \u201cAnd so, we have their actual stories, exactly what happened, coming from the actual veterans themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
As those who lived it will tell you, when Fidel Castro assumed power, men in the exile community organized. They were armed and trained by the U.S. government.<\/p>\n
Brigade 2506, comprised of over 1,000 young men like Montalvo, were set to invade Cuba with the intention of liberating the island.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we were on those boats coming, 18 years old, we were coming to free Cuba, we were so charged. I mean, the adrenaline was incredible,\u201d said Montalvo.<\/p>\n
However, last-minute decisions by then President John F. Kennedy, like the cancellation of critical air support, tanked the mission.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd these are the martyrs that died in the invasion,\u201d said Luis.<\/p>\n
Over 100 men died, and the more than 1,000 men who remained were trapped without support and remained in prison for almost two years.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe blood to fight for freedom that ran through his veins is running through mine,\u201d said Luis.<\/p>\n
Luis\u2019 father was one of those men, so he made it his mission to honor his father\u2019s legacy and the legacy of the many others like Montalvo with this museum.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe swore never to abandon Cuba, and this is a fulfillment of that promise,\u201d said Montalvo.<\/p>\n
The museum pays homage to those in Brigade 2506.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the story of the brigade, and they\u2019re leaving their legacy, fighting for civic rights, human rights,\u201d said Dr. Yulesy Mena, Executive Director of the Bay of Pigs Museum and Library.<\/p>\n
And now, during such a critical time for Cuba, the museum means that much more.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I think today, more than ever, you know, we just went through an operation in Iran where we went through hell, this country, to make sure that we didn\u2019t abandon a couple of pilots, which is the way it should be,\u201d said Montalvo. \u201cSixty-five years ago, this country abandoned 1,200 men over there, and I think the time is now to finish that and get rid of a bunch of crooks and let the Cubans be free and sovereign.\u201d<\/p>\n
This weekend, the museum will host a private ceremony for the family members of those who were in the brigade. Two weeks after that, it will be opened to the public with tickets costing $10.<\/p>\n
Copyright 2026 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.<\/p>\n
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