Africa-Press – Angola. The chief of the General Staff of the Angolan Armed Forces (CEMGFAA), Altino dos Santos, praised, this Thursday, in Luanda, the courage and dedication, as active military personnel, of 42 general officers and admirals who retired.
When speaking at the farewell ceremony of these cadres, the aviation general highlighted that they were forced to voluntarily abandon their families to dedicate themselves exclusively to fulfilling their military duty in a difficult context.
“It is with great satisfaction that we hold this ceremony to honor general officers and admirals of the FAA who, after a brilliant military trajectory, entirely dedicated to the defense of their homeland, end their careers with their heads held high and with a feeling of duty accomplished,” he said. .
He added that in different times and circumstances, prominent young Angolans, of which these general officers and admirals are a considerable part, acted at a time when complex scenarios were emerging around the world, with Angola, at the time, as one of the crucial focal points in geopolitics. International.
“In that difficult context, the days and nights spent away from family, old colleagues and childhood friends were extremely complicated, often left in the anguish and despair of those who cautiously set out on sinuous paths and incalculable uncertainties”, he recalled.
After this glorious stage of life, he highlighted, “the Fatherland brings you back home proud and happy of your noble mission accomplished in its defense.
Altino dos Santos highlighted that, unfortunately, this was not the fate for many of the companions who gave their best in sacrificing their own lives so that national independence and peace could be conquered, defended and preserved, with all the risks, and charted the course for the country’s development and progress.
According to the general officer, to all these heroic sons of Angola, the Fatherland expresses its deep veneration and wishes eternal peace to their souls.
“I would like to express to the respective families our vote of confidence and encouragement for our noble purpose of continuing to make our possible contribution to fulfilling the mission for which they gave their precious lives”, he considered.
On that occasion, and to comfort the 42 retirees, he used the popular adage that “when you climb a mountain, don’t stop, because there’s another mountain ahead.”
“The saying also goes that the main objective of a true athlete should not be the goal to be achieved, but the professionalism that is achieved through the continuous overcoming of goals, which translate into obstacles and constraints throughout our lives”, he exemplified.
We are, therefore, guided to face the mission with courage, directness, loyalty and a high spirit of political and patriotic commitment.
According to the Chief of the General Staff of the FAA, the licensing of military retirement should be seen as one of the most important goals in life, but not as the last or the end of everything.
“It’s just a start to a new, different lifestyle outside the barracks and closer to families, contributing in various sectors to the country’s development”, he said.
For the past, he consoled, there are inerasable memories of a time shared in common, between sacrifices, sweat and often blood, while there was hope for an increasingly better tomorrow.
“Thanks to the willing sacrifice, from the general to the soldier, support, hermeneutics and rich traditions of struggle and victories of our people, today we have the privilege of counting on a country that makes us proud and is proud of its past, its children and its history”, he said.
He described that the lives of these retirees were marked by exemplary service of unparalleled leadership and tireless dedication, spanning decades of service and facing complex challenges and adversities, which changed the FAA and the character of the Nation.
“Each battle, each decision and each sacrifice changed the course of history, and today it is fair to recognize the legacy they left”, acknowledged the aviation general.
As you prepare to embrace a new phase of your lives, he stressed, know that your influence will endure and your experiences will be transferred as lessons, inspiring future generations to pursue the excellence, courage and commitment that you embody.
He recalled that, although this military chapter comes to an end, the mission of serving the Fatherland never ends, and that this reform is the beginning of a renewed journey, where their skills and wisdom continue to illuminate the paths of future generations.
“On behalf of an eternally grateful Nation, I express deep gratitude for your remarkable contributions and may the next phases of your lives be full of achievements and well-deserved joy”, he noted.
He hoped that the legacy they built would be an eternal source of inspiration for all other citizens, for which he thanked them for their incomparable dedication, predicting that each dawn brings with it the certainty that while their uniforms rest, the indomitable spirit of service continues to come into force.
“The Nation thanks you, our comrades. You left, you did not abandon us. Finally, it urges us all to continue and preserve the tradition of the military institutions we serve and dignify the same complexes and moments of adversity”, concluded Altino dos Santos.
On the occasion, the 42 retirees received medals and certificates of merit, in a ceremony that included cultural moments and the presence of active generals and admirals, the reverend judge president of the Military Court, family members of the retirees, among other individuals.
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