Our Mission And Our History
CAVA: Our Mission
The Cuban American Veterans Association (CAVA, Inc.) was incorporated under the Laws of the State of Florida on September 12, 1991, as a non-profit organization.
The purpose of the Corporation is as follow:
To help foster, encourage and promote the welfare of the veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.
To prevent discrimination suffered by all veterans, but mainly
Hispanic veterans, and to develop channels of communications which will assist veterans to maximize self-realization and enrichment of their lives.
To study, on a nonpartisan basis, proposed legislation, rules, or regulations introduced in any Federal, State or local legislative or administrative body which may affect the social, economic, educational, or physical welfare of the veterans and to develop public policy proposals designed to improve the quality of life of the veterans especially in the areas of employment ,education, training and health.
To assist disabled, homeless and needy veterans including, but not limited to, their dependents and the widows and orphans of deceased veterans.
To provide humanitarian aid to the people of Cuba, in the form of food medicine, clothing and sundries, immediately upon the demise of the communist regime and the transition of the nation to democracy.
To engage in humanitarian aid missions.
To conduct studies with the purpose of evaluating the socioeconomic philosophy of the incoming refugees, as to identify their understanding of democratic values and ideals and provide an educational and social program encompassing human rights, economics, politics, history and social values. To accelerate their process of integration and acculturation into the U.S. society. The results of the study will serve as a model for the development of democratic institutions in the nations of the Western Hemispher
CAVA: Our History
The Cuban American Veterans Association, (CAVA) was born out of a trip to the Naval Basein Guantanamo, Cuba (GITMO,) on 11 November1990 in order to celebrate Veterans Day.
The idea of founding an organization with its own identity: “Cuban American Veterans”, was originated by Rolando Pérez, a Cuban American Veteran himself. The first check issued to reserve the name of theorganization took place thereafter. CAVA’s Logo was designed by Elcira Morales, and the first check was signed by Iris Martory.
The Articles of Incorporation of CAVA under the Laws of the State of Florida, were filed on 12 September 1991. The document number of this corporation is N45110. The initial Board of Directors was made up of the following veterans: Raul Tejero, Jorge O. Fenton, and Andrés Garcia. The Officers were:Raul Tejero, Jorge O. Fenton, Andrés Garcia, Rafael Crespo, Enrique Gaston, Joel Lopez, Rafael Morales and Oscar Martinez. Iris Martory was the official Notary Public of the State of Florida.
Membership: Per Article V of incorporation document. “Anyone who has served honorably as an officeror enlisted, on active duty, honorably discharged or released to inactive duty in the US ArmedForces shall be eligible for membership”. Former Presidents and *Current President: Raul Tejero, Armando Montes, Jorge A. Sibila, Mario Alfonso, Oscar Martinez, Andrés Garcia, Rafael Crespo, Joseph Martory, Francisco Pénela, Juan Carrocera, Jesus Castro, *Ozzy Pérez.
Events, Banquets, Brunches, Awards. Ceremonies: The first Banquet and Awards Ceremony took place at the Big Five Club on 16 May 2003. The second Banquet, a Gala Dinner, took place at the Radisson Mart Plaza Hotel on 9 October 2004. A third Banquet and Gala Dinner took place at the Miami Sheraton Mart Hotel on 28 January 2006. CAVA has celebrated numerous breakfasts to recognize outstanding members of our community. Among them, Police Officers and Civil Servants.
Special Events and Activities: Trip to Guantanamo: 11 November 1990. Trip to Washington, D.C. Date: 25-26 February 2008 in support of Hermanos al Rescate, for the indictment “encausamiento” of Fidel and Raul Castro for the downing of the two Brother to the Rescue airplanes on 24 February 1996. Members of CAVA went to the Nation’s Capital. We walked the halls of Congress visiting and passing literature to members of Congress and the Senate. We also visited the White House and the State Department with the same mission. Documentation was presented to both of them and received by their staff.
CAVA’s color guard was founded by Julio deCastro, Cuban Missile Crisis Army Veteran. Since its inception CAVA has participated innumerous banquets, parades and other activities:
Junta Patriética Cubana Banquet.Christian Coalition Banquet. Three Kings Parade. Memorial Day Ceremony at Woodland Cemetery. Veterans Day Ceremony and Parade. Other parades in the area.
Chaplains of the Cuban American Veterans Association (CAVA):The first Chaplain from its inception was Catholic Lay Ecclesial Minister José Torriente. He served in the U.S. Army during the Cuban Missile Crisis. By invitation from former President Major Oscar Martinez, USAFR, Ret. Rev. Guillermo Cortés also a veteran of the U.S. Army during the Cuban Missile Crisis joined the Chaplain Service. While working as a volunteer and the Miami VA Medical Center, Rev. Cortes met the Catholic Chaplain assigned to the VA. He invited him to join CAVA and he did. Rev. José Luis Fernandez, Ph.D. served on Active Duty with Marines, Navy, and Air Force, as Military Chaplain. He is now retired from both the Armed Forces and the Department of Veterans Affairs. He is the current Chaplain of the Cuban American Veterans Organization.