Yesterday, Florida Senator Marco Rubio made a visit to the homeland of his parents when he made a surprise visit to Guantanamo Bay to meet with military personnel.

Rubio, in his capacity as a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, wanted to see first hand the conditions of this U.S. Navy base and assure this “facility remain open and operating.” 

The often talked about potential Vice Presidential candidate was born in this country but his parents are from Cuba.  Rubio’s parents came here in 1956 and this is Rubio’s first visit to the island. 

Rubio noted the emotional aspect of the visit to McClatchy Wire: “Certainly, it was touching to be able to fly over the island from a distance and see it and know that’s the land that saw your parents and your grandparents born.”

Critics of the conservative Senator see this as another high-profile move to keep his name front and center as Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney seeks his running mate.