Three US marines who lowered the country’s flag in Cuba in January 1961 have had the pleasure of seeing it raised again today, August 14, 2015.
play
James Tracy, left to right, Mike East and Larry Morris
(Telegraph UK)
Gunnery Sgts. Mike East and Jim Tracy and Cpl. Larry Morrisjoined Secretary of State, John F. Kerry in a ceremony to raise the flag again in Havana, 54 years after it was taken down on the orders of then President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
play
James Tracy, Mike East and Larry Morris
(Washington Post)
“That was a touching moment .To see Old Glory flying for the last time in Cuba, you know, it didn’t seem right. You know, it just seemed like something was wrong, something was missing, you know,” East said in a video released by the US Department of State.
play
Workers place the name "Embassy of the United States of America" above the main entrance of the U.S. embassy in Havana.
(Alexandre Meneghini/Reuters)
Eisenhower ordered the closure of the US Embassy in Cuba and the taking down of the flag due to the deterioration of relations with the government of Fidel Castro.
play
Secretary of State John Kerry arrives at Jose Marti International Airport in Havana, Cuba.
(Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)
However, relations between the countries warmed up following peace moves made by President Barack Obama in December 2014.
play
Retired Marines, from left, Gunnery Sgt. Francis 'Mike' East, Gunnery Sgt. James Tracy, and Cpl. Larry Morris, present the U.S. flag to Marines currently stationed in Cuba, during the raising of the U.S. flag over the newly reopened embassy in Havana.
(Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)