Eastern Army celebrates 65th anniversary of its founding by Raúl Castro
- Written by Guilian Cruz López
- Published in Holguin
- Hits: 63
Photos: Juan Pablo Carreras
The 65th anniversary of the founding of the Eastern Army (EO) is being celebrated today in Holguín with the presence of the presidents of the Defense Councils of the provinces covered by this military force that was forged in the heat of the Battle of Playa Girón.
Founded on April 21, 1961, by orders of Fidel, the Eastern Army had as its first chief the then Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR), Commander Raúl Castro Ruz, who referred to that troop as the Lord Army.
"If we save the East, we save the Revolution" was Fidel Castro's premise when, two days after the victory of the Cuban troops against the mercenary invasion at Playa Girón, the defense of the homeland was being consolidated from that region of Cuban territory.
The creation of the Eastern Army had a strong popular character, as it was made up of militiamen, peasants, and fighters who defended a military project considered a guaranty of the existence of the Cuban Revolution as the greatest social achievement.
Considered a benchmark in the application of the strategic concept of the People's War, the military structure also reflects the traditions of struggle and the unity between the citizens and the FAR, the principle of national defense.
As a command destined to guaranty the sovereignty of the homeland and a unifying factor for the people, the Eastern Army demonstrates its results in contributions to the country's work, internationalist missions, the fight against diseases, and recovery efforts after tropical cyclones.
