DeSantis recognizes Cuban exile leaders as Florida Heroes

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recognized exile leaders as Florida HeroesOrlando Gutiérrez-Boronat, secretary general of the Assembly of the Cuban Resistance, and Sylvia Iriondo, president of Mothers Anti-repression for Cuba (M.A.R), for their contributions to the community and the freedom of the island.

Along with first lady Casey DeSantis, the Republican paid tribute to 75 Floridians on Friday, whom he recognized for their heroism in various areas, from actions in war zones to the defense of cultural values.

The governor stated that the honorees embody "quiet and persistent heroism." "In Florida, we want to recognize and extol the virtues of selflessness and service, and these 75 individuals embodied those virtues through their actions and achievements," he stressed.

"Tonight it was a privilege to recognize and personally thank each Florida hero who attended for their selfless dedication to their communities and our state," he added.

Among those honored are Dr. Orlando Gutiérrez-Boronat, who has spent almost two decades promoting pro-American messages throughRadio Republic, destined for Cuba, from where he himself had to flee in search of freedom when he was just a child.

Gutiérrez-Boronat "left Cuba at the age of 6, in 1971, with a family that was seeking freedom. He has been promotingRadio Republic, which spreads pro-American messages on the still-communist island just 90 miles from Key West," he saida government note.

In addition, DeSantis acknowledged Iriondo, who expressed "that this appointment by the governor and the first lady constitutes important moral support in the face of harassment by the dictatorship."

Among the Floridians honored was Lt. Benjamin Wootson, an Orlando firefighter who, while off-duty, rescued a Seminole County sheriff's deputy from a fiery accident.

Likewise, young people were recognized, such as activist Delanie Dennis, 11 years old, who in five years has raised more than $100,000 for animal rescue through a lemonade stand.

Some of the honorees were also recognized for their fight in the culture war, such as Julie Gebhards, a mother of six, who has highlighted objectionable books at school board meetings, and Zuly Bovbjerg, who was successful in her campaign to purge a book allocated from schools.