Readers Write: Castro’s death offers hope

The Island Now

Fidel Castro has died at age 90 and now maybe there is hope for the people of Cuba. 

Here was a tyrant that was most nefarious by his actions and had impoverished his nation and his own people. 

His brutal regime executed thousands of innocent people. 

As reported, Fidel Castro admitted holding 15,000 political prisoners. 

It was also reported that over 582 people were shot by firing squad in a two year period. 

And during the 1960s the United States and the Soviet Union were on the verge of nuclear war over missiles in Cuba. 

Now on a personal note my mother became good friends with a woman on 213th street in Queens Village in the 1950s. 

She had escape from Cuba with her three sons and one daughter after her husband was killed by Castro’s rebels. 

She and her sons worked hard and was able to buy a house in Queens Village. 

I remember she would take care of me while my mother had to do errands. 

Her name was Marie and I found her to be a most kind woman who worked hard for her family and believed in the American dream and hated what Castro did to Cuba. 

I also remember she even gave my mother a set of maracas for a present because my mother like Latin American music. 

Marie also try to teach me how to play the piano which was in her living room.

After my mother died she told my father if there was anything she could do to help. 

A number of years later she sold the house in Queens Village and invested in a apartment building — I think somewhere in Queens.

As I think back Marie was truly an example of the Cuba immigrants that have come to the America. 

I still don’t understand how Fidel Castro was able to stay in power all these decades. 

I therefore pray for the Cuba people that they can be afforded more freedom, economic security and religious freedom. 

Although, Raul Castro is still in power and can prevent that from happening. 

But that regime may also pass away. 

So in closing let me say:” Viva, Cuba and its’ people for its’ a new day.”

 

Frederick R. Bedell Jr.

Mineola

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