“Having been married twice before, Ernest Hemingway enjoyed the conveniences and trappings of having a wife, but resented the responsibilities, not to mention the constraints, of raising children. He loved his six-toed, polydactyl cats that required far less care, and frequently were left to fend for themselves at his home in Key West, Florida. Writing was his life and having been a reporter and journalist for the Kansas City Star and the Toronto Star Weekly gave him the experience and knowledge needed to write the gritty accounts of the Spanish Civil War and World War II. His work took Papa Hemingway to the far reaches of the globe; however he enjoyed life in Key West where he had fishing friends and drinking buddies. He always enjoyed the company of the people he was with, and Sloppy Joes was his favorite haunt. It was here that he spent hours imbibing and sharing stories with fishermen, beach bums and tourists.” FamilyHistoryCubaErnest HemingwayKey West Florida Author:Captain Hank Bracker, "The Exciting Story of Cuba"
“The USS Saint Louis and the USS Harvard arrived in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on July 10, 1898, carrying a total of 1,562 Spanish prisoners. Approximately 1,700 Spanish prisoners of war were eventually divided between POW camps in Annapolis, Maryland, and the Navy Yard near Portsmouth, New Hampshire, which is actually in Kittery, Maine. To guard them U.S. Marines were brought in from the Boston Navy Yard. The internment camp was known as Camp Long, which was named for Secretary of the Navy John Long. From July 11, 1898, to September 12, 1898, the stockade held 1,612 Spanish prisoners, including Admiral Pascual Cervera. After a time these prisoners were granted parole and allowed fifteen days of liberty, permitting them open access to Seavey’s Island in Kittery, Maine, as well as the Navy Yard, and the town of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Despite the best efforts by both U.S. Navy and Spanish physicians, thirty-one prisoners died during their incarceration. On September 12, 1898, the prisoners were released and returned to Spain on the S/S City of Rome.” HistoryCaptain Hank BrackerSea StoriesMaine Maritime AcademySpanish American WarPows Author:Captain Hank Bracker, "The Exciting Story of Cuba"
“In 1553, Santiago de Cuba was invaded and plundered by the French. They were followed by the British, led by Sir Christopher Myngs in 1662-1663. The British considered him an Admiral, but to the Spanish he was a pirate, when he broke through the strong Spanish defenses to plunder and sack the city. Santiago lost its status as the capitol of Cuba, when the seat of power was moved to Havana in 1589, but many people to this day, feel that it is still the capitol city when it comes to culture. Of course, anyone from La Habana would vehemently disagree with this!” HistoryCubaCaptain Hank BrackerHavanaSantiago De Cuba Author:Captain Hank Bracker, "The Exciting Story of Cuba"
“Cyril H. Wecht, the renowned forensic pathologist, a consultant in numerous high-profile cases, and who also holds a law degree, confirmed the theory that there were two gunmen involved in the assassination and that the second shooter was most likely behind the picket fence near the top of a prominent grassy knoll. Even President Lyndon Johnson is said to have implicated the CIA in assassination attempts against Fidel Castro. Some attempts involving the Mafia are said to date back to the Eisenhower years. A 2009 CBS News poll stated that 76% of people believed that Kennedy’s death was orchestrated by the Cuban government in retaliation for the CIA’s efforts to kill Castro. President Johnson told his former speechwriter, Leo Janos of Time magazine, that he “never believed that Oswald acted alone.” HistoryConspiracy TheoriesKennedy Assassination Author:Captain Hank Bracker, "The Exciting Story of Cuba"