The Canary Islands Command honoured a military ancestor of the mayor of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, José Manuel Bermúdez Esparza, during the event marking the tenth anniversary of Felipe VI’s reign.
The mayor of Santa Cruz received the Spanish flag that flew in the area on that day, and the service record of his great-great-uncle, Miguel Esparza Arteche, who was an Infantry commander, from the General of the State Staff of the Canary Islands Command, Luis Cortés Delgado.
Furthermore, Esparza was a military hero, having been awarded the Cruz Laureada de San Fernando for his actions in Melilla in 1917, specifically for his bravery near the Busaada position.
Various authorities were also present at the event, including the president of the Canary Islands Parliament, Ástrid Pérez; the Government Subdelegate, Javier Plata; the Chief of the Civil Guard in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Colonel Ángel Sanz Coronado, and the Provincial Commissioner of the National Police, Eloy Román.
The General of the State Staff of the Canary Islands Command addressed the attendees, stating that the event was to honour “what unites us and gives continuity to our State,” referring to the Monarchy and its highest representative. Cortés mentioned that the throne ascension took place where the sovereignty of the people resides, in the Congress of Deputies. He recalled that on that day, Felipe VI spoke of a new era, transparency, and a future within the framework of the Constitution, adding that “everyone can reflect on these words” in light of current events in the country.
Regarding the Spanish flag given to the Mayor of Santa Cruz, the General of the State Staff of the Canary Islands Command stated that “it is woven with the threads of the effort and commitment of our ancestors, both civilian and military, who did something good for Spain,” noting that “we have the Spain we have thanks to them.” Hundreds of people watched the military event from Plaza del Príncipe and its surroundings.
