Kings of Spain preside over the commemorative events of the Armed Forces Day

USPA NEWS - The Kings of Spain, Felipe VI and Letizia, presided over this Saturday in Madrid the commemorative events of the Armed Forces Day, which for the second consecutive year were held in a reduced format due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Upon their arrival at the Plaza de la Lealtad in Madrid, where the tribute was held, the Kings were received by the acting president of the region of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso; the Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles; the Mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, and the Chief of Defense Staff (EMAD), Admiral General Teodoro López Esteban Calderón.

After taking his place on the podium, the King, accompanied by the Chief of Defense Staff, reviewed the troops. After the formal greetings, the rapporteur read a few words of tribute, after which the tribute to those who gave their lives for Spain began. This act was developed to the chords of "Death is not the end", in which Guiones, Pennants and the personnel carrying the Crown participated. The King stepped onto the platform to make the Laurel Wreath offering. Next, the Chaplain read a prayer. The act continued with the firing of rifle and the overflight of the Acrobatic Patrol 'Águila'.

Afterwards, the Kings took their place in the Royal Tribune to preside over the parade, in which a Mixed Battalion participated composed of a Company of Honors of the Royal Guard, a Company of the Infantry Regiment 'Inmemorial del Rey' No. 1, a Company of the Madrid Marine Infantry Group, the Honors Squadron of the Air Force Headquarters Group and a Company of the Reserve and Security Group No. 1 of the Civil Guard.

Later, the King went to the General Headquarters of the Defense Staff to participate in a videoconference with different units of the Armed Forces. Felipe VI spoke with units in Spanish territory and in foreign operations, like the 'Rey Alfonso XIII' II Brigade of the Legion, the 'Juan Sebastián Elcano' Training Ship, the Getafe Air Base, Operation EUTM Mali (European Union Training Mission), the Maritime Action Ship 'Furor' participated in the African deployment and the Baltic Air Police (NATO-BAP).

The King said that “I do not want to end these words without sending you a message of hope and confidence in our future. We are overcoming the most important health crisis in our recent history and, although difficulties remain to be overcome, we will undoubtedly move forward together as the great country that we are. I also want to tell you that I am very proud of the deep identification of the Spanish people with its Armed Forces, to which we all owe a very important part of our security and well-being. Thanks and congratulations. Happy Armed Forces Day."

The celebration of the Armed Forces Day in Spain dates back to 1978, when the annual commemoration of a national holiday was established to honor the Armies and promote knowledge and integration between them and society. It is the day to learn about the work that the military carry out inside and outside of Spain, its permanent work of surveillance and protection of Spanish territory, as well as the defense of peace and freedom in the world, in which more than 30 years have participated.

The Spanish Armed Forces are playing a prominent role in the fight against COVID-19. Saving lives is the objective of 'Operation Balmis' in which they are working, side by side, members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Military Emergency Unit and Royal Guard to help citizens improve and preserve their future.