Remarks by President Trump Honoring Bay of Pigs Veterans | Eastern North Carolina Now

    So I'm putting myself at risk when I say that, because if it's not good, you can imagine there'll be playing what I just said. They won't say that I'm here representing the Hispanic Americans or Cubans or anything else. They'll just say, "Look what he said." But I'm willing to take that chance. We're going to have a great third quarter. And next year is going to be one of the greatest economic years we've ever had. We feel very confident based on everything we see.

    In the last four months, 3.3 million Hispanic Americans were hired to fill new jobs - a record. I've taken bold action to defend the right to religious liberty and the right to life.

    We are protecting school choice for over 1 million Hispanic American students - such a big deal. In a second term, I will provide school choice to every family in America. We want every American to have a limitless future.

    Here with us today is Bay of Pigs veteran, Humberto Cortina. (Applause.) Where's Humberto? Stand up, please. Come up. Who founded a small business in Miami and was elected to the Florida State House.

    Humberto, say a few words.

    MR. CORTINA: Thank you, sir.

    THE PRESIDENT: Good. Please. Be careful. I don't want you falling on me. You'll never - you'll never be the same if you fall. (Laughter.)

    MR. CORTINA: No - no way.

    THE PRESIDENT: You know, if you fall, they'll never let you forget it. No matter -


    MR. CORTINA: No, but the guys that - I know. All of them I know.

    THE PRESIDENT: - how good your speech. (Laughs.) Humberto, no matter how good your speech, it won't matter, right? Please. Go have a good one.

    MR. CORTINA: (Laughs.) Thank you, Mr. President, on behalf of the freedom fighters of the Brigade 2506 for the opportunity of being here with you today.

    I was wounded during the Bay of Pigs invasion. As a result, the bullets got the sciatic nerve on both of my legs, and I was not able to walk for two years. When I returned from Castro's prison, I joined the United States Army with a presidential officer appointment. I felt very honored - very honored to serve in the armed forces of our great country. And I always believed that even though we lost that battle, the war against socialism and communism continues now, as it did then.

    After my service in the U.S. Army, I graduated from the University of Florida. I'm a Gator, Mr. President.

    THE PRESIDENT: Good.

    MR. CORTINA: I'm a Gator. I'm a Gator. And for five years, I worked as the Regional Director of the Council of the Americas in Latin America, where I realized the importance of communication, our values, and the opportunities that this great country offers.

    In 1982, I was one of the first Cuban Americans elected to the State of Florida House of Representatives. I have a couple here that - earlier or maybe later. I don't remember. (Laughs.) And what I learned there was a good and strong leadership means. And as a small-businessman, for 20 years, I appreciate the opportunities that this country extends to everyone who puts the time and efforts to achieve the American Dream, regardless of where you come from.

    And as a father and grandfather, I appreciate your leadership, Mr. President, and your vision for the future. And I look forward to your presidency for the next four years. (Applause.)

    THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much.

    MR. CORTINA: Thank you very much, sir. Thank you. (Applause.)

    THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Humberto, very much. That's great. Thank you. Thank you very much. That's great. Thank you very much, Humberto.

    Mario, would you please come up and say a couple of words, please? Thank you.


    REPRESENTATIVE DÍAZ-BALART: Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you for inviting a group of heroes who have never stopped fighting for freedom for their home and of Cuba, and for freedom and opportunity in the United States. Thank you for inviting these heroes.

    And, Mr. President, the cause of a free Cuba, the cause of a free Venezuela, of a free Nicaragua, of a free hemisphere has never had a stronger ally, a stronger leader than this President. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you. (Applause.)

    THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Mario, very much. It's my honor. And it's my honor. Thank you very much.

    Also with us today is Colonel Johnny Lopez de la Cruz - I love that name - President of the Bay of Pigs Veterans Association; was so nice to me four years ago - who went on to serve for 27 years in the United States military.

    Johnny, please come up. Please. (Applause.)

    MR. LOPEZ DE LA CRUZ: What an honor. Mr. President, on behalf of the members and families of the Brigade 2506, I would like to express our gratitude for the invitation to join you at the White House. It's quite an honor.

    Today, we are celebrating the freedoms that we have and want to preserve. We are here because we share your commitment to conservative principles: individual freedom, the rule of law, and racial equality. We particularly value your support for our troops and veterans, and the restoration of the military might of this nation while brokering peace agreements and avoiding conflicts and endless wars.

    You have kept your promises. You are supporting freedom and human rights in this hemisphere while applying severe sanctions to the regimes of Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua. And we urge you to continue these policies and the efforts to rid the world of these communist, corrupt narco-terrorist regimes. Cuba must again be free after 60 years of communism. People are suffering in there, as well as in Venezuela and Nicaragua.

    Mr. President, thank you from the bottom of our heart for this splendid and emotional recognition that you have vested on the veterans of the Bay of Pigs Invasion Brigade 2506.

    God bless you, and God bless America. (Applause.)

    THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. Beautiful. Thank you. Thank you very much. Great job.


    The veterans we honor today are a powerful testament to all that a free people can achieve. In the past six decades, you have built strong families, thriving businesses, and vibrant communities.

    Today we thank God for the blessings we share as citizens of the greatest country on Earth. And we hope, pray, and work for the day when the people of Cuba can finally reclaim their glorious destiny. It will happen soon.

    Thank you. And God bless America. Thank you very much. (Applause.)

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