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Malvinas Veterans acclaimed as they parade in Buenos Aires

Monday, May 29th 2017 - 09:42 UTC
Full article 39 comments
Veterans displaying their medals marched with flags and banners from combat units, some identifying their provinces others with members of their families. Veterans displaying their medals marched with flags and banners from combat units, some identifying their provinces others with members of their families.
The ex combatants were invited to the parade by Defense minister Julio Martinez, in a repeat of last year's 9 July 200th anniversary of Argentine independence. The ex combatants were invited to the parade by Defense minister Julio Martinez, in a repeat of last year's 9 July 200th anniversary of Argentine independence.
Veterans paraded singing the “Malvinas March”, while overhead Hercules C130, Pucara turbo fighters and A/4 Skyhawks crossed the sky of Buenos Aires. Veterans paraded singing the “Malvinas March”, while overhead Hercules C130, Pucara turbo fighters and A/4 Skyhawks crossed the sky of Buenos Aires.

Hundreds of Malvinas veterans were applauded and acclaimed as they marched through Buenos Aires on Friday May 27th as part of the May Revolution 207 anniversary commemorations. Veterans closed the traditional military parade along two kilometers, which this year assembled 6.000 troops from all branches plus an air pass of aircraft and helicopters.

 The ex combatants were invited to the parade by Defense minister Julio Martinez, in a repeat of last year's 9 July when the celebration of the 200th anniversary of Argentine independence. Veterans displaying their medals marched with flags and banners from the different combat units, some identifying their provinces others with members of their families.

Hailing “Long live the fatherland” (Viva la Patria) which was strongly responded by the crowd lined up behind barriers, Veterans paraded singing the “Malvinas March”, while overhead Hercules C130, Pucara turbo fighters and A/4 Skyhawks crossed the sky of Buenos Aires. In total some twenty aircraft overflew, similar to those which were involved in the Falklands conflict in 1982.

The military parade also counted with music bands from Bolivia, Chile, Spain, United States, France, Italy, Morocco, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay.

Minister Martinez underlined that the Argentine armed forces are back parading on such important anniversaries because now “they are at the service of democracy and the institutions and not of government”.

“The forces hadn't paraded for fifteen years, but we want them to march, to be in contact with the people and communities because now they are committed to service the fatherland, and the Constitution” affirmed Martinez.

The minister also underlined the participation of Malvinas Veterans, “no government had ever invited them before, last year was the first time, and we are all very proud of them”.

Top Comments

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  • Capt Rockhopper

    They hid them for twenty years or so, now the Argentine Department of Historical Revision is revising historical events. Now they are finding obscure reasons to honour and celebrate their greatest defeat. In 50 Year it will be written that the Argentine did indeed win the war and that they allowed us to keep the islands.

    May 29th, 2017 - 11:28 am +7
  • ElaineB

    @teaberry2

    A good point. The returning soldiers were vilified, spat at, jeered, their families attacked and made pariahs for years until it was useful to use them.

    I once asked one of my friends in BsAs why they celebrate the war they lost rather than commemorate it as would be fitting. I explained in detail the difference but it was completely lost on her. Too many years of brainwashing I guess.

    May 30th, 2017 - 12:32 pm +7
  • Marti Llazo

    How significant that Mercopiss would include a photo of the banner for the argentine destroyer “Santísima Trinidad” which of course rolled over and sank at its pier for want of basic care and maintenance. Such is the nature of much of the country here today: a country of rotting scrap, ill-maintained, and poorly managed, ripe at any moment to roll over and sink.

    May 29th, 2017 - 02:10 pm +6
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