Former Combatants of Ultramar de Ferreiros honored on the 50th anniversary of the 25th of April

Former Ultramar combatants living in Ferreiros, Braga, were honored on the morning of April 25th. The solemn ceremony took place next to the former combatant’s monument and in the Parish Council Auditorium where all the presidents of the Union of Parishes of Ferreiros and Gondizalves during the 50 years of democracy were also awarded.

The celebration included the raising of flags to the sound of “A Portuguesa”, fireworks and the laying of a wreath of carnations on the statue of the former combatant.

José Azevedo, president of the Association of Combatants of the Overseas of Ferreiros (ACUF), highlighted that the freedom achieved on April 25th is due to all former combatants in Portugal.

“We are here to honor ‘this soldier’, what he was, in our representation, whoever went out there like me and the other comrades, knows how to value a party like this. In addition to freedom, it is the combatant’s party that for us is the best party”, said the former war fighter.

For his part, João Rodrigues, president of the Associação Amigos “Os Satélites 79”, explained that this initiative was promoted to also honor all the presidents of the Union of Parishes of Ferreiros and Gondizalves in the 50 years of democracy. Rand also highlighted the importance of women’s role in society and in political positions. “Freedom, for me, is very important and it is important for everyone. In these 50 years of democracy, it was even women who had more freedom because women who held certain positions or functions could not marry”, said João Rodrigues.

Carolina Teixeira, president of the Union of Parishes of Ferreiros and Gondizalves, spoke to everyone present about the history of April 25, 1974 and recalled that this date is due to the Captains of April who fought for Democracy 50 years ago.

“I come at this moment to pay this symbolic tribute to the 25th of April 1974. 50 years have passed and it is normal that for younger people, the 25th of April is another holiday day. The 25th of April probablycontemporary Portuguese history was one of the most important dates and allowed a very simple thing for those who have a short memory: it allowed democracy, it allowed every four years we can elect the Government of Portugal, it allowed every four years we can elect the Local Power, the Government of our local authorities and every five years elect the President of the Republic. This great position in Portuguese Democracy is due to what happened in 1974 when the Captains of April carried out this coup d’état. This April Revolution allowed freedom, democracy and respect for people. It is a great tribute that I pay to these people, to these people who celebrated the 25th of April and who will always be remembered in our history and in our memory. I understand that people without history and without memory are people who do not exist, but Portugal has existed for almost 900 years. It is a great pride to be able to convey to the people of Ferreiros and Gondizalves that these April values, we talk about fraternity, solidarity and justice, are always present in the lives of the Portuguese. April 25th should always be celebrated with the values ​​of April and I will repeat: solidarity, fraternity and justice. I think that never has a sentence been as important as the one that was said on the 25th of April 1974, where at that time I was 8 years old, a situation experienced by many people and I must say that the sentence that came out at that time “united we will win for Portugal”, for all Portuguese people, long live the 25th of April, long live Ferreiros and Gondizalves, long live Portugal!”, spoke Carolina Teixeira, the first woman president of this Union of Parishes.

João Costa, former president of the Union of Ferreiros and Gondizalves, was also honored, having been the first president to govern both parishes.

The Association of Combatants of the Overseas of Ferreiros and the Friends Association “Os Satélites 79” also promoted the “50 Years of Democracy” gathering, which was attended by a full house.

This initiative was also attended by Ana da Costa, president of the Board of the Assembly of the Union of Parishes of Ferreiros and Gondizalves, Gabriela Silva, secretary, Raúl Gomes, treasurer, Susana Gomes, member, and Nuno Gonçalves, member.