Photos

This is a statue dedicated to the memory of General Gregorio Luperon. It's found very near the Forteleza San Felipe in Puerto Plata. If you travel much in the Dominican Republic you will find that almost every city/town have some similiar roads: Duarte, Sanchez, Mella, 30 de Marzo, 27 de Febrero, Luperon, etc. One of these is General Gregorio Luperon (he's also on a 20 peso note...if they still use them). I had to clone out a street light and a power pole on the right side.
Gregorio Luperon was a native son of Puerto Plata, the offspring of a Dominican Father and an English Mother born in 1839. He was relatively poor growing up and uneducated and had to sell Pina (pineapple) on the streets to help feed the family. He worked in his youth for a carpenter who gave him access to his library. He was largely self trained, taught, and motivated.
On February 27, 1844 a group of people led by Duarte, Sanchez, and Mella declared independance from Haiti and formed an independant Dominican nation. In 1861 a group of people gave the independance that they had fought for back to Haiti, desiring to be a colony. Gregorio Luperon didn't appreciate this and felt that Haiti was unduly harsh on the new territoty. He protested and fought against it. He was 22 at the time. He was jailed, exiled to Haiti and later to the US.
In 1863, Gregorio Luperon returned to his native land via Monti Cristi and led a successful uprising in Sabaneta against the Haitian occupying forces. He continued to fight and lead his people, mostly untrained peasant rebels against a highly effective, well trained, and disciplined army. He was so determined, committed, and effective that he led the way in winning freedom for his country from Haiti in 1865. He continued to serve and fight for his country, protecting it from those who would do it damage, both inside and outside the island nation until his death in 1897. He is truly a Dominican Patriot, an real American Hero.