KENNEDYS WELCOME RELEASED BAY OF PIGS POWS IN MIAMI
Miami, Florida (JFK+50) On December 29, 1962, President John F. Kennedy, accompanied by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, welcomed the released prisoners of the ill-fated Bay of Pigs invasion to the United States.
The brigade of anti-Castro Cuban exiles hit the beach at Cuba's Bahia de Cochinos on April 17, 1961. They had been secretly trained and supported by the United States Central Intelligence Agency.
At a ceremony held at the Orange Bowl, President Kennedy was presented the flag of Brigade 2506 by Erneido Oliva.
The President accepted the flag, and off-script said..."I can assure you that this flag will be returned to this brigade in a free Havana."
JFK continued...
"On behalf of my government and my country, I welcome you to the United States. I bring you my nation's respect for your courage and belief in your cause. Your small brigade is a tangible reaffirmation that the human desire for freedom...is essentially unconquerable."
Miami, Florida (JFK+50) On December 29, 1962, President John F. Kennedy, accompanied by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, welcomed the released prisoners of the ill-fated Bay of Pigs invasion to the United States.
The brigade of anti-Castro Cuban exiles hit the beach at Cuba's Bahia de Cochinos on April 17, 1961. They had been secretly trained and supported by the United States Central Intelligence Agency.
At a ceremony held at the Orange Bowl, President Kennedy was presented the flag of Brigade 2506 by Erneido Oliva.
The President accepted the flag, and off-script said..."I can assure you that this flag will be returned to this brigade in a free Havana."
JFK continued...
JFK Accepts Flag of Brigade 2506
Miami, Florida
December 29, 1962
Photo by Cecil Stoughton
JFK Library Image
