National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually from September 15 to October 15 across the U.S. to celebrate and recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions who have inspired others to achieve success.

Palmetto Bay will be celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in our Village during October by showcasing a few of the outstanding Hispanics that play a key role in the daily lives of our community. Today, we proudly recognize retired US Army Colonel, Juan "Johnny" Lopez de la Cruz!
Juan "Johnny" Lopez de la Cruz
Retired US Army Colonel
Retired U.S. Army Colonel, Juan “Johnny” Lopez de la Cruz was born in Manzanillo, Cuba. In July of 1960 he fled Cuba to Miami. A month later, he was one of the 1,500 exiles that attempted to overthrow Fidel Castro’s communist dictatorship in the Bay of Pigs Invasion. He survived brutal captivity in a Cuban prison for two years. He was then released during an exchange of food and medicines for prisoners and flown to Miami with the rest of the Brigade 2506. 
His dedication to freedom did not stop with Cuba. Shortly after arriving in Miami, he joined the U.S. Marines. A year later, he transferred to the U.S. Army, where he served our country with pride for 26 years, including two tours in Vietnam. During this time, he received many military honors including The Legion of Merit; three Bronze Star Medals; three Defense Meritorious Service Medals; four Meritorious Service Medals; The Air Medal; three Joint Service Commendation Medals and four U.S. Army Commendation Medals! Pretty amazing!!!

For the past four years, he has served as the President of the Bay of Pigs Veterans Association (Brigade 2506). He remains hopeful that one day he will return to Cuba and bring its residents the democracy and freedom they deserve. Colonel Lopez de la Cruz has lived in Palmetto Bay with his wife since 2016.

Colonel, we thank you for your dedication and service to our country! 

#PalmettoBayProud #HispanicHeritage2021
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