Monument to All Freedom Combatants
In the foothills of Mícara Mountains, at the end of Los Mártires Avenue and a kilometer away from the place where the Central Command of the Second Front was based, in Mayarí Arriba, the mausoleum to the combatants of the Second Front stands firm and touching, characterized by its high historical, architectural, cultural and social value and marked symbolism.
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The monument was planned by Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, precursor of the actions developed by the Second Front in March-December 1958. The Minister of Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR is the Spanish acronym) named lieutenant colonel Eduardo Lozada León to outline the architectural plan of the construction. Raul gave him a napkin where the first version of the Mausoleum was drawn and told him to build it near the former base of the Front’s headquarters.
The expert visited the area and realized that Mícara Mountains perfectly matched the drawing.
That moment set the beginning of the designing work that was later presented and approved by the former Second Front commander, on February 8, 1977.
The construction works were supervised by General Francisco González López, Pancho, a former combatant of the Second Front and PCC secretary in the municipality, and carried out by Santiago de Cuba’s No. 1 Military Constructions Company, headed by engineer Lázaro Chang.
The long work sessions were characterized by the effort, sacrifice and dedication of combatants of all categories, along with people from Mayari and other regions of the country. The main designer, combatant Carlos Olivares and civil engineer Pedro Astalaín played the leading roles.
A year later, on March 11, 1978, the Mausoleum was inaugurated by our Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the creation of the Second Front; with the participation of the Second PCC Secretary and FAR Minister Raúl Castro Ruz, FMC president Vilma Espín Guillois, Commanders of the Revolution Juan Almeida Bosque, Ramiro Valdés Menéndez, Blas Roca Calderío, as well as founders of the Front and members of the guerrilla forces.
The eternal flame that illuminates one of the stages of Cuba’s fight was solemnly lighted by the Commander in Chief on the inauguration day and burns, like the Army General said, (…) for all freedom combatants (…) for those who, consciously or not, laid the foundations of our present with their blood ad teach us to follow their example for coming generations.”
The people of the current Second Front municipality pay tribute to the rich history written by the women and men of this region, they constantly honor the fallen ones. Flowers and offerings are placed there to pay homage to those who heroically fought for the present and future of our nation.
The monument is an eternal resting place for the fighters that passed away during the war, founders of the combat front, officers, those who faced significant responsibilities and achieved remarkable results in the revolutionary development after January 1, 1959.
This place invites us to meditate, commit our lives and respect the blood shed during the heroic years of war and the need to work for the future opened by Fidel on the glorious day of victory.
