My father always says that he is American but made in Cuba, because when he was very young he had to leave his country of origin with my grandparents because of the cruel state terrorism and the total absence of freedom imposed by communist tyranny on the whole population in Cuba.

My father arrived in the United States with an old suitcase and some clothes. The Cuban communist tyranny -a so-called government- imposes a law that any Cuban citizen who leaves the country can take only 10 kilograms of clothing. But my father carried with him, above all a deep need for the oxygen of liberty to live his life and be useful to society.

The new country adopts my father and my father begins his new life. The process of adaptation is not difficult for him, despite the obstacles he has to overcome: a new language, culture, and struggle from scratch, he experiences a new, wonderful feeling of indefinable happiness. The knowledge and realization of knowing that he was a free man to choose his destiny.

My father is an optimistic man, with a confident personality and good manners, but with immense respect and love for freedom. He told me that freedom is the most important thing you have, more important than health, more important than family, more important than anything!

The poem "Liberty" of the poet Paul Eluard is a poem that he read to me and that he likes very much for all that he represents. And if my father speaks to you of freedom you will see without a doubt that his eyes become tearful and his voice breaks a little...

"And by the power of a word

I'm starting my life again

I was born to know you

To name you

Freedom. "