Remembering Sgt. Reckless .... A Marine Veteran

"She wasn't a horse ... She was a Marine"

                                        ----  Unknown Marine Veteran

As we honor the many veterans who served our country in times of need, a
special Marine whose undaunted courage saved lives and whose unique
character captivated the troops deserves our salute.

 Sgt. Reckless was a two-year-old mare when brought into the Korean War to help

 supply front line Marines.  In one of her finest hours, alone, she made countless treks 

  through intense live enemy fire for five days, carrying needed ammunition to isolated, 

   besieged  troops and carrying wounded Marines to safety.  Later, she was also wounded. 

 

She not only earned the respect of those serving with her, they also enjoyed her
company as she’d join them for chow and for a beer when off-duty.  This Marine
was officially inducted into the Corp. and was the recipient of various military honors. 

 

Today, Sgt. Reckless is honored by six monuments in locations across the country.
Pictured is that at Florida’s World Equestrian Center.      

Read more about Sgt. Reckless .... click here 

and

Watch a video about Sgt. Reckless ...click here

Saludo Cristobal Colon !!

"You can never cross the ocean unless you

have the courage to lose sight of the shore."

                                                                                                           ---- Christopher Columbus

In Parque d' Colon in Santo Domingo, DO an impressive monument depicts

Christopher Columbus who first set foot on this island in 1492.  He is celebrated

 today as the courageous explorer who connected the old world with the new. 

Saludo Cristobal Colon !!

Parque Amigos de Jose Marti .... A little Cuba in Tampa's Ybor City.

When stepping into Parque Amigos de Jose Marti, you're on Cuban soil.

In 1956, before the communist revolution in Cuba, this little bit of America was privately purchased then deeded to and accepted by the Republic of Cuba in memory of Jose Marti, a patriot prominent in Cuba's struggle for independence from Spain.  Cuban President Batista agreed to provide some funding to support the memorial park but that was before Castro.  Today, the park, on which grounds soil from each of Cuba's provinces has been spread, is maintained by Tampa under care of the city's Cuban - American community.

In Tampa's Ybor City this small memorial park symbolizes Cuban independence and freedom as   
 dreamed of by Cuban - Americans past and present.  Here, a statue of Jose Marti marks his place 
in the history of both Cuba and the U.S.  The Parque Amigos de Jose Marti encourages reflection 
on what was and might again be on the islas de Cuba, only 90 miles from the shores of Florida.  

la Rogativa ... Remembering a procession in Old San Juan.

In San Juan, Puerto Rico's Plazuela de la Rogativa, a striking bronze sculpture, "la Rogativa", overlooks the bay.  

In 1797, according to legend, a British fleet blockaded the San Juan Bay to gain control of the city.  Recognizing that a defense could not be quickly established, a Catholic bishop organized an evening prayer procession to ask for divine intervention.  Led by the bishop, many women carried torches and candles and sang hymns as they marched through the streets throughout the night.  The British commander mistook the seemingly endless parade of torches as the arrival of San Juan's military reinforcements.  Thinking they were greatly outnumbered, the Brits hoisted the sails and slipped from the bay at dawn.

Erected in 1971, the beautiful "la Rogativa" sculpture overlooks San Juan Bay and pays tribute to the townspeople and their bishop for taking the initiative to save San Juan.