🇺🇸 Cafecito, Courage, and Gratitude: A Cuban-Flavored Salute to Veterans Day
Tomorrow, November 11, the air in every town and city will carry a quiet kind of pride. It’s the kind that hums beneath marching bands, waves from flags, and lingers in the steam of a morning cafecito. Veterans Day isn’t just another date on the calendar; it’s a day to stop, breathe, and remember the heroes who put everything on the line so the rest of us could live our stories freely.
🕰 A Little History with a Side of Sugar
Veterans Day began as Armistice Day, marking the end of World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Over time it grew beyond that moment—no longer just about peace after one war, but about honoring every man and woman who ever slipped into a uniform and carried the weight of duty on their shoulders.
And, of course, because I’m Cuban-American, we celebrate it our own way by mixing reflection with rhythm. We don’t do silent gratitude; we do heartfelt gratitude, sometimes with a plate of croquetas, a cafecito that could wake the dead, and a few loud stories about the cousin who almost joined the Navy but got seasick on the ferry to Key West.
☕ Gratitude the Cuban Way
For us, appreciation comes with flavor. Maybe your abuela used to say, “Dale gracias, mijo, pero hazlo con cariño.” Say thanks, but say it with heart.
So tomorrow, when the parades roll down Main Street, imagine those drums as the heartbeat of a grateful nation. When you see veterans standing tall in their old uniforms, picture them sitting later at a kitchen table cafecito in one hand, pastelito in the other talking about the friends they lost and the freedom they protected.
And if you happen to know a veteran personally, don’t just offer a polite nod. Offer a hug, a laugh, maybe even an invitation to share some flan. Gratitude tastes better when it’s shared.
💃 How to Celebrate (Cuban-Style)
Start the morning right. Brew that strong espresso that can double as rocket fuel and raise your cup to every veteran, past and present.
Tell a story. We’re storytellers by nature—keep their memories alive by sharing them, whether it’s your abuelo’s tales from service or a neighbor’s quiet courage.
Turn reflection into action. Donate to a veterans’ organization, volunteer, or simply check in on someone who served.
Celebrate freedom out loud. Play your favorite bolero or salsa, light a candle, and give thanks that we live in a place where even our gratitude can dance.
🌅 From Havana to Hometown USA
Many Cuban-Americans know something about sacrifice. We know what it means to leave everything behind and start again, fueled by hope and a dash of stubborn courage. Maybe that’s why Veterans Day hits a little deeper for us. It reminds us that freedom always comes with a price, and that those who pay it deserve more than just one day of thanks.
So tomorrow, take a moment. Step outside, feel the breeze, smell the roasted coffee beans, and remember: valor doesn’t fade with time—it just changes uniforms.
To every veteran out there including those in heaven, yes you Papi, gracias, de corazón. Your courage is the melody of this country’s soul.
Now go pour yourself another cafecito, mi gente, and raise your cup high.
Because gratitude, like café, is best when it’s strong, shared, and straight from the heart.
