Naval Station Guantanamo Bay (NSGB) hosted 35 members of the Guantanamo Bay Association, Feb. 9-16. One of the members of the organization, Mr. Juan Suarez, came to NSGB as a teenager and this trip marked his first time visiting the base in more than 56 years.

Juan Suarez was born in 1946 in a city west of Santiago de Cuba and came to Guantanamo Bay (GTMO) when he was 14 years old.

"I never knew where I landed, but when I went to the lighthouse museum, there was a picture that showed where people landed that were from Caimanera like me," said Saurez. "We landed where there were two tug boats and a warehouse nearby. After being here for a half hour I was able to embrace my uncle that was here."

One of the highlights of his trip was being able to visit the Cuban Community Center and see his fellow Cubans that reside on the base.

"I get emotional about this trip. It has meant a lot," said Saurez. "I've wanted to come back for a long time. It has been great being able to visit with my fellow Cubans. We have been through similar things, one of which has been leaving family behind."

During his visit with members of the Cuban Community on base, he was able to reminisce about things from his youth.

"The whole trip has been great, but I think the highlight has been being able to go to the Cuban Community Center and connecting with my roots. The whole package has been great, but that visit was great."

There are many things that have changed in the past 56 years since he left the island.

"A lot of things have changed," said Suarez. "There are new housing areas that weren't here when I was a young man. We didn't have a McDonald's. I worked at the bowling alley for a while setting pins manually."

"I love Guantanamo Bay and its history," said Suarez. "I hope I can change the way people think about the base. It's more than a prison. There is a community here. I want to make sure people know that GTMO is something unique."

Guantanamo Bay is a very tight-knit community that many have fond memories of long after leaving for the final time, just as Suarez does.

"I have been able to meet some amazing people since I have been here. Everyone wants to give me things to take back with me from this trip," said Suarez. "Everyone has been amazing to my daughter and I."

During their weeklong trip to NSGB, the 35 visitors from Guantanamo Bay Association were able to spend much of their time touring the base on their own, but were also provided a base tour and a luncheon at Windmill Beach. The Guantanamo Bay Association tries to make this an annual trip for its members, with many happily making the return trip to this little island that they once called home.

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