more than 200 people, most of them civilians, participated this Sunday in an act that serves to conclude a whole month of commemorations around Armed Forces Day, which this 2023 was celebrated on June 3. The place chosen for the ceremony, charged with the symbolism and precision that the Army always gives to all the meetings it organizes, was the Montefrio Soccer Fielda few kilometers from the town center of the northern town of the guancha.
The event was chaired by the Chief of Staff of the Canary Islands Command, Brigadier General Fernando Maté Sánchez and was led, in addition to the jurors, by the 93rd Field Artillery Regiment. It began punctually, at 12:00 noon, with the entrance to the sports facilities of the aforementioned chief of staff of the Canary Islands Command, who was in charge of reviewing the troops that received him in diligent formation.
Seated on one side of the main stage, the people who were going to take an oath –or promise– in front of the Spanish flag waited for their turn. Among them, for example, was a couple from Icod de los Vinos. Antonio Martinez and Julia Santana They waited their turn sitting in the front row. He, he explained, already swore to the flag when he did his military service in 1975, 48 years ago.
“I did it with him. canaries 50. It is, therefore, the second time that I swear to the flag, “Martínez recalled. «The reason is simple: the one in charge at home is my wife and she has told me that she wanted to come to swear in the flag. And I adhered to the proposal without any problem, “she joked. Indeed, Julia Santana explained smiling next to her how she had always had the pending subject of participating in such an act. «I am very excited to do it because when I was young it was not allowed for women and it has always caught my attention. Now, finally, I am very excited to fulfill a dream and a desire that I have always had.
To participate in this act specifically designed for civilian personnel, it was only necessary to register in advance, as this couple explained. «We found out that it was organized here in Icod, which is where we live. You just had to come and obey, that’s what they are soldiers for, “added Martínez.
Among the large group of people who attended the ceremony were also some agents of the National Police and Civil Guard. Likewise, several representatives of the Guancha City Council also participated, whom the military spokespersons thanked for their collaboration in organizing the meeting. «I want to convey our gratitude to the consistory. Not only for offering all kinds of personal and material facilities for the execution of this very solemn and important act in this beautiful town in Tenerife, but especially for the initiative, enthusiasm and desire that you have put into its organization and planning. It is a sample of the pride of feeling part of Spanish society and the affection that you profess to your armed forces”, he indicated during his speech. Jose Luis Heredero Guaza, Colonel Commander of the Regiment.
Among the hundreds of civilians who attended the army summons yesterday, there were also very young people willing to swear allegiance to the flag. This was the case of the brothers Angel and Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes. The first is about to turn 18, the second is almost 20 years old. “The truth is that I like to feel Spanish,” said Ángel. “For me it is an honor to be here because in the end it is our country and it is an honor to serve it,” Alejandro added before specifying that both are from La Guancha.
After reviewing the troops, Maté Sánchez presided over the oath. To begin the act, the commitment acquired by all those present was read aloud: «Do you Spaniards, do you swear or do you promise by your conscience and honor to uphold the Constitution as a fundamental rule of the State with loyalty to the king and if necessary give your life in defense from Spain?”. Faced with this question, the protagonists of the ceremony shouted aloud “yes, I swear” or “yes, I promise”, depending on the formula chosen by each one.
Later, and to the rhythm of the music played by the War Band, they paraded in front of the Spanish flag to kiss it or make a gesture of respect before it. “Passing in front of the national ensign to deposit your kiss on it is a sign that Spain accepts its oath or promise,” explained Heredero Guaza about this gesture.
Next, and after all the jurors completed the ceremony, the Regimental Chief Colonel gave a short speech in which he thanked the gesture and highlighted its valuable meaning.
«Today is one of those days that remain engraved in the heart for a lifetime due to its great importance. Mainly for those who voluntarily and individually have decided to take a step forward, acquiring a commitment to the homeland – of loyalty to Spain and the Spanish people – which from today will require and demand a valuable added effort”, indicated Heredero Guaza.
He also wanted to highlight the social role of the armed forces and insisted that the military are “essential for a free and advanced society like ours to develop socially, economically and culturally. We are living in times of conflict in which we must support and contribute even more to guarantee security and defend our interests, not only within our borders but also wherever we defend a democratic model of society based on peace, freedom and equality”. In fact, he said, there are currently troops from Tenerife deployed in Estonia and Türkiye and “soon” there will also be in Latvia. “Current conflicts are teaching us that security and defense are not free goods, but that civil and military institutions have the responsibility of creating a culture of defense that reaches everyone so that, if necessary, we contribute in unison in this defending. Even, as we have seen in so many episodes of our brilliant history of Spain, giving up his life for the country.
The event concluded with a ceremony of Tribute to the fallen for Spain in which a wreath of flowers was deposited in front of a cross installed for that purpose.
