Congressman Cohen Presents Flag Flown Over Capitol to Gunnery Sgt. Mike East

[MEMPHIS, TN] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) presented Gunnery Sergeant Francis “Mike” East with the flag flown over the United States Capitol on August 14, 2015, the day the flag was raised over the United States Embassy in Cuba, in a brief ceremony at St. Joseph Catholic Church (see attached photos).

Then-Cpl. East, along with then-Sgt. Jim Tracy and then-Cpl. Larry C. Morris, are the three Marines that lowered the flag over the United States Embassy in Havana in January 1961 when diplomatic ties between the United States and Cuba were severed. All three were invited guests of the State Department as they watched the flag being raised again 54 years later.

“It is appropriate that we are here to present this flag to Gunnery Sgt. East just days after Pope Francis spoke to Congress,” said Congressman Cohen. “Pope Francis helped facilitate the dialog between President Barack Obama and President Raul Castro that led to diplomatic ties being re-established. It is an honor to recognize Gunnery Sgt. East for his service to his country. He and I both had the opportunity to watch history being made as guests of Secretary of State John Kerry, and I am proud to join him here today in his own church.”

Congressman Cohen also presented Father Tony Romo with a copy of an invitation to see Pope Francis and a ticket for a Viewing Party on the West Lawn.