Yesterday morning, the inauguration ceremony of the Monument of Tribute in Honour and Memory of the Combatants of the Municipality of Ponta do Sol by the sculptor Luís Paixão took place in Ponta de Sol in the garden near the car park.
The military ceremony included the laying of flowers next to the Monument in memory of the combatants of the Municipality of Ponta de Sol, which was presided over by the Representative of the Republic for the Autonomous Region of Madeira, Ireneu Barreto.
The event was attended by the Mayor of Ponta do Sol, Célia Pessegueiro, who went around and personally shook everyone’s hand and welcomed them to the ceremony, the Secretary-General of the Central Directorate of the League of Combatants, Colonel Faustino Alves Lucas Hilário, the President of the Board of the Funchal Nucleus of the League of Combatants, Lieutenant-Colonel Bernardino Laureano, as well as representatives of the Armed Forces and the institutions and associative movement of the municipality, among other guests, including a special invitation to the Royal British Legion, who were asked to lay a wreath as a sign of respect, cordiality and friendship.
“It is for you that we are here today! Soldiers, Combatants, Men who went to Fight for Portugal. The noblest way to serve the public cause is to risk your own life and these men did it for all of us. It is for this reason, with all humility and deep recognition that today we have the opportunity to unveil this bust in memory of the Combatants of Ponta do Sol, remembering all those who fought for us and for the Homeland in various war scenarios,” said Célia Pessegueiro.
The Representative of the Republic for the Autonomous Region of Madeira, Ireneu Barreto, also in the capacity of Ponta Solemnse and ex-combatant, recalled his brothers Alcino, with whom he was in Mozambique, and Orlando who fought in Angola, and the feeling of his parents.
“For about six years, my parents lived the anguish and uncertainties arising from having their children engaged in the Colonial War. When talking about my brothers and my parents, I think of all our countrymen and their families who suffered for several years the hardships of an unjust war, without a noble cause to sustain it, fought against the winds of History” and added that “they are the people of Ponta Solenses who served in the Colonial War, especially those who fell in the field of honour, that I see embodied in the monument that we have before us. I bow before his memories and say, paraphrasing Camões: blessed land that such children had.”
This was followed by the laying of Flowers at the Base of the Monument, the Military Honours to the Dead in the Campaign, the Religious Invocation, by Father – Lieutenant Chaplain Marco Abreu, and the presenting of the Madeira Medal of Honour.
“This monument, long desired by the Municipality of Ponta do Sol, represents respect and consideration for the children of the land and is a well-deserved tribute to the men and women of the municipality who, in different scenarios of war and conflict, represented our country. For this reason, several Ex-Combatants, family members, and friends made a point of being present.” What was lovely was that several of those present were wearing battalion scarves and I was seated next to three men who had served in Angola (4 February 1961 – 25 April 1974).
What was interesting, aside from the ceremony was the interplay of politics. The front row was reserved for dignitaries and members from different political parties. It soon became apparent that one politician was not expected, as no seat had been allocated, and for one moment they were informed that they would have to sit outside the distinguished tented area and sit on a plastic chair. This was not acceptable! After a few minutes, there was a shuffling of chairs as another was squeezed in to accommodate the politician. Although seated with the elite, there was a certain frostiness in the air as the official remained on the cold shoulder of the political group.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira=-weekly.com
