Gabriel Forcade Jorrin

Gabriel Forcade Jorrin, was the son of a well to do family from Puentes Grandes, who were co-owners of the Porvenir Sugar Mill near Colon, in Matanzas Province. Forcade's father was one of the original students enrolled at at the school in 1854. In 1895 he joined the exiles in New York City who were organizing an expedition to Cuba. In his first attempt Forcade was captured by British authorities near the Bahama Islands, together with the entire complement of the ship he was travelling on. He and his companions were released after several months and returned to New York City in December, 1895. On March 24, 1896, he landed in Oriente Province with the expedition headed by General Calixto Garcia. He served in the Ejercito Libertador from that time, until his death due to malaria in August 1897. At the time of his death he had attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Gabriel Forcade Jorrin era hijo de una acomodada familia de Puentes Grandes, conduena del central azucarero "Porvenir", ceraca de Colon, en la provincia de Matanzas.  El padre de Forcade fue uno de los primeros alumnos matriculados en el Colegio de Belen en 1854.

 En 1895 se une a unos exiliados en la ciudad de New York que estaban organizando una expedicion a Cuba.  En su primer intento Forcade es capturado por las autoridades Britanicas cerca de Las Bahamas, junto con todo el complemento del barco en que viajaba.  El y sus companeros son liberados despues de varios meses y regresaron a la ciudad de New York en diciembre de 1895.  

 El 24 de marzo de 1896 desembarco en la provincia de Oriente con la expedicion del General Calixto Garcia.  Sirvio en el Ejercito Libertador desde esa fecha hasta su muerte ocasionada por la malaria, en agosto de 1897. Al momento de su muerte ostentaba el grado de teniente coronel.

Gabriel Forcade Jorrin - video May 20, 2011 ceremony