And We Never Heard the Thunder

A sweeping journey of a remarkable era that ended in the loss of the Republic of Cuba as seen through the eyes of eyewitnesses to its last years and the havoc the communist revolution caused. Full of colorful events and strong characters, its Chapters will recreate historical memoirs full of human relevance, pain, and redemption.

A sweeping journey of a remarkable era that ended in the loss of the Republic of Cuba as seen through the eyes of eyewitnesses to its last years and the havoc the communist revolution caused. Full of colorful events and strong characters, its Chapters will recreate historical memoirs full of human relevance, pain, and redemption. The trajectory of many successful immigrants to Cuba and their fates are discussed, including the memoirs of the Author who grew up in Cuba during the Republic and witnessed many of the described events. The relations with the United States during the beginning of the Republic are amply covered.

LUIS MEJER SARRÁ was born in New York City to Cuban parents, having dual nationality until he became 18 years old. Received a "Bachiller en Ciencias" degree from La Salle Vedado School, Havana (1953) and a "Doctor en Farmacia" degree from Universidad Católica Santo Tomás de Villanueva, in Havana (1957). He came to the USA to further his studies, obtaining two master's in science degrees, in Pharmacy and Biochemistry, respectively, from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy (1962) and the University of Pennsylvania (1964). After several years in Biochemical Research at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in Miami, received a Ph.D. in Biochemistry degree from the University of Miami (1970). Has had careers in Biomedical Research, at the University of Miami and American Hospital Supply Corp., has been Director of Clinical Chemistry at Barry Laboratories, Pompano Beach, and later a Landscape Contractor, owning Greenworks, Inc. in Miami for 30 years. In 1999 he founded, with his brothers, "Sarrá Natural Products", to market Natural Health Products in the USA. This was done to protect the Sarrá family name from an attempt by the Castro regime to steal the brand name and market Sarrá products in the USA. This action proved successful. Joined Cuban Cultural Heritage, "Herencia" in 2000, and has been secretary (2009-2010), president (2011-2015), and chairman (2016-2017). On April 30th, 2023, he received a prestigious "Premio Herencia 2023 Award". As a member of "Herencia", he promoted Colonial and Republican Cuban Culture, and History, for the younger generations, in programs such as Cuba Nostalgia, Herencia Kids, the Miami Book Fair, the "Peñas" de Herencia, and the "Noche Azul" Galas. He also manages Herencia's Facebook page and wrote bilingual editorials for "Herencia" Literary Magazine for several years. Joined Municipio de La Habana en el Exilio in 2016 as a director, a grass-roots organization involved in community projects, also managing their Facebook page. Presently retired, he married in 1960 at St. Edward's Church, Palm Beach, Fla., and has 4 children and 11 grandchildren.