Luanda – The head of the General Staff of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA), aviation general Altino dos Santos, on Friday said in Luanda that the country counts on the contribution and experience of retired generals and admirals in defense of noble values based on justice and constitutional legality.
Altino dos Santos, who was speaking during a ceremony honouring 52 retired general officers and admirals, highlighted the role played by them, over decades, in carrying out missions in favour of defending independence and national sovereignty.
He urged them to dedicate themselves to “embracing” and strengthening peace, regardless of whether they are out of active duty.
According to the general of aviation, the now-retired militaries will be able to lend their knowledge, at different times, as lecturers, as well as in internal or external missions that are defined by superiors.
In this regard, he expressed the support of the General Staff of the FAA in defending their dignity, as men who did their best to keep the country on the path that is reserved in history.
During the event, held on the former RI-20, the FAA Commander-in-Chief's order on the transition from active military service to retirement was read out, as well as certificates of merit and medals given to officers, in recognition of his contribution to the Armed Forces and the Homeland in general.
When reading the message from the retired officers, Brigadier Dani Bravo considered it to be with satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment that the group leaves the Armed Forces, as “serving the homeland over the years has been and will continue to be the greatest pride of these children from Angola”.
“Yesterday in the front lines against aggressions and external threats to our sovereignty and integrity of the homeland, today and always in the consolidation of peace, harmonious development of the country and in the improvement of the well-being of all Angolans”, he said, referring to the enormous sacrifices consented to by that generation.
Speaking to ANGOP, retired generals Jacques Raul, former army commander, Marques Correia Banza, former inspector general of the Ministry of National Defence, and lieutenant general Carlos Coelho da Cruz “Faísca”, former commander of the 101st Brigade of Tanks, underlined the importance of the event, which they consider high recognition of the 49 years of service on behalf of the nation.
Those interviewed confirmed their willingness to serve the Armed Forces again, if necessary, in the most varied areas, having appealed to the new generations to pursue the challenges with firmness and determination.
They remembered, however, that it was a long journey, with many vicissitudes in between, between good and bad memories.
For Jacques Raul, every soldier must love, respect the homeland and fight for it, so that it lasts for thousands of years.
“We were a well-conceived generation because we managed, at that time, to enter with a patriotic sense, fight and win, achieving the peace that the country deserved”, he said.
Gen. Carlos da Cruz “Faísca” claimed to have high morale, as it is quite satisfying when one fulfils a duty with zeal and dedication and in the end the country recognizes it.
Marques Correia Banza pointed out, among others, military institutes and academies as being areas where the group can transmit its experience to the younger militaries.
Other retirees include Army General Egídio Sousa Santos “Disciplina”, former head of the General Staff of the FAA, and Emílio de Carvalho Sobrinho “Bibi”, former deputy head of the General Staff for the Social Area.
General Adelino Samuel Capinãla “Sami” was distinguished posthumously in this second homage ceremony, after, last June, around 70 general officers and retired admirals were also honoured.VC/SC/DOJ
