The forgotten Cuban role in America's independence

The United States today is trying to help Cubans regain their liberty by applying unprecedented pressure to the communist regime that has repressed them for 67 years. It is not the first time America has assisted its smaller neighbor. But Cuba, too, played a role in helping America gain the independence that we rightly commemorate this weekend.

Cubans helped finance the war effort when it was most needed. But Cubans, including members of my own family, also took part in the fighting, including key battles that exhausted the British and led to their surrender at Yorktown.