The ceremony was presided by the General Commander of the Armed Forces, Admiral Edgar Cely Augusto Núñez and the Commander of the Navy, Admiral Álvaro Durán Echandía. During the ceremony, the apprentices of the Naval Officers' School conducted a military parade in honor of these men of the sea and war, who were also decorated with the Distinguished Service Medal Armed Forces. Admiral Edgar Cely Nunez addressed the audience recounting the life of service in the National Army noncommissioned officers retired, 70 years for the Chief Technical Officer Command Rafael Valverde and 56 years by the Chief Technical Officer Command Aspires Luis Enrique Angulo .
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ARC Commander congratulates the
JTC award received. |
Remarks by Admiral Edgar Cely Nuñez, General Commander of the Armed Forces, during the ceremony of retirement from active service of the Technical Heads of command Rafael Dario Valverde and Luis Enrique Angulo Aspires.
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| Admiral Cely imposes decorations. |
Today the Armed Forces and the Navy dress up for fair recognition of the life and career of two human beings who have given their best for the growth of our country and institution.
Today retire from active service in our Armed Forces with honor and satisfaction of accomplishment, here at the Naval Academy Officers' ARC "Barranquilla", before his Honor Battalion, where he began this long rack and where does this recognition who spent most of his life in great detail to provide excellent services to the Navy.
Our boatswain and the world's oldest officer, the Chief Technical Officer Command Valverde, served on our covered 70 of its 90 years of life, our gunner, Chief Technical Officer Command Angulo, cumplió57 of its 72 years, this dedication to life and Sea tasks such marinosejemplares, demonstrate their deep commitment to naval and military, being really a true "sea wolves."
wish with the consent of all present, a journey through time to tell some facts of life of the honorees.
Valverde Rafael Darío Burgos, was born in the town of San Carlos, a small town between Cereté and Monteria, Cordoba, in 1920, following his high school studies in 1941, heard on radio the call to enter Navy, heeded the call and traveled to Cartagena to enlist as a boy, and had inscriptions past and decides to enlist as a Marine.
ARC tankers in Cúcuta and Cabimas, trained as a sailor and at the height of World War II as a noncommissioned officer and second, it becomes the destroyer crew ARC Antioquia where your hard work and team spirit make you go to increase its naval experience and knowledge.
His expertise and discipline earned him the trust of his superiors, first ascents and new responsibilities, such as manning the ship ARC Almirante Padilla, allocation it received in 1950 as a member of the military contingent which was part of UN troops united under the command of General Douglas Macarthur U.S..
In waters of Japan, Colombia joins British troops and the missions met Padilla ARC naval fire support, ie bombarding the coast of Korea, to blow the mines had been planted, making progress Allied troops on the ground.
In Korea, convinced of the principle of obedience, had an experience he remembers with clarity, the order of the commander of his unit disembarked to join a small group of spying on a beach apparently recovered. "Are you able to do so?" I asked the top. "That's what I came", said Valverde, "for freedom of the world".
was the first day of the year, but by the time difference was just in Colombia December 31, which engulfs Valverde with a feeling of nostalgia and adds that, and on the beach, walked a few meters from his two companions, a Puerto Rican sailor who spoke no English and South Korean English-only mumble and protected by a rock out of his camouflage the letter from his girlfriend and began to read . Only review reached the front lines when an explosion almost busting his ears and the blast threw him into the air.
was rescued hours later by U.S. soldiers who took him by helicopter to a hospital in Japan. In his two companions were only fragments of bodies torn apart by the bomb. With multiple injuries and a leg that was almost lost, was hospitalized 78 days.
After the war, in 1955 to return to Colombia, met again Amarina Beltran, the bride who had promised to wait, with her married and shared 51 years of life. From the time she became his inspiration from life and his ongoing support for the line of duty.
is then transferred to the base Orocué, in the Llanos Orientales, to fight the liberal guerrillas, led by Guadalupe Salcedo and then the alias Sureshot. It was there when the news of his promotion to Chief Technical Officer.
In 1979, Pedro de Heredia ARC was acquired by the Navy and reactivated in the yard Todd Shipyard, from that moment the Chief Technical Officer Valverde became the first crew of Colombia, being a faithful crew of the same, 22 years until its deactivation and sinking near the island of Tierra Bomba, at which sedespidió with some emotional words.
"This ship saw him born, I will see him resting on the bottom the sea ... the ship was my companion, my friend, my brother, lived together 22 years ... I see it with nostalgia being immersed slowly, but there we are going to find everyone. "
The first of September 2007 under Resolution No. 563 Navy Command, rose to the rank of Command Chief Technical Officer.
With the passage of time has become the master of multiple generations who come to ask for recommendations and advice or just to enjoy the sea that tells stories and has yet clear in its prestigious memory.
Valverde is an example of discipline, fidelity and constant value, a man of spirit that has infused much respect and admiration.
Today I want to repeat the famous phrase that has given us the Chief Valverde.
"The secret to being a good sailor is constant obedience, discipline and love of country"
Aspires Luis Enrique Angulo was born in Armenia, Quindío on 29 March 1939, scarce 16 years of age he entered the Training Base ARC Barranquilla, standing out as one of the most Grumetes naval attitude and temperament, rising to the rank of Seaman on August 16, 1955.
As sailor was part of the crew of tankers Blas de Lezo ARC and the ARC Sancho Jimeno, later, in 1957 with the rank of Third Sergeant, he embarked on the frigate Almirante Brion and that is where he discovered his passion for naval weapons , specialty barrels in 1960 completed the course of servohydraulic and Artillery "A" Technical School Class ARC Barranquilla, and rose to the rank of Petty Officer Second, acquiring the specialty he played in an outstanding, during the passing of his naval career military.
In 1965 he married the lady Olivia Hai Betancur, Cartagena, father Chinese descent and mother monteriana, married in the church Maria Auxiliadora de Cartagena on 12 October and this conjugal union has 3 children, who constitute the cornerstone and pillar of the military career of Luis Enrique, who always has behaved like a good husband and father, of which mention her children "is a wonderful father and example to show the world."
The next 12 years, Sergeant Angulo serves as a crew member of many other ships of our Navy, such as Santander ARC ARC ARC July 20 and August 7, where he served as sergeant of Weapons Division Home Technical Advisor, Division of 40mm.
While at the Southern Naval Force, sailed on board the gunboats ARC Arauca and Santa Marta and the East River Flotilla served aboard river patrol Gutiérrez ARC, ARC Serpa and the tug ARC Bocanegra.
In 1972 he was assigned to the Secretary of the Naval Attache in Venezuela, continued to return as commander of Tower 53, Chief of the Technical Group on board the destroyer ARC July 20.
While on board the August 7, in the year 1980 required by the service he served as mayor Military Buenavista, Sucre.
Given its experience and excellent performance aboard afloat units and then be part of the Standing Commission's Research Plan Collective Neptune, where he excelled in his training in the weapon system of the new units Colombian navy, the naval command was destined to join the first crew of ARC Almirante Padilla.
Later, he served as an instructor at the Naval Base Command ARC Barranquilla and Training Center in Sea Fleet until January 1, 1984, the date on which he returned to PFG ARC Almirante Padilla to serve as NCO Artillery and Missile Division.
During his time filled him with joy shipping integrations crews, sports weeks, the celebrations of Christmas and New Year.
afloat units was assigned to the Weapons and Electronics Department of the Naval Base ARC Bolivar and where was part of the team that helped create the Center for Naval Artillery ARC Bolivar Thanks to his drive and persistence.
After belong to the Department of Arms and Electronics for several years, was appointed Chief Technical Officer Command Naval Force of the Caribbean, a position he served until the final days in an exemplary manner, advising the Commander on all matters relating to the welfare and morale of the men of the Force.
The first of September 2007 and after doing a diploma in Strategic Leadership at the School of Civil-Military Relations in the Army, like Rafael Valverde, rose to the rank of Command Chief Technical Officer.
Luis Angulo also leave us a message: "love your work, love the sea, have a sense of belonging, remember that our mission as knights of the sea is to protect and provide security to all Colombia's citizens. "
And to conclude and ratify my arguments, I express on behalf of each and every one of those who belong to the Armed Forces and Colombia itself, our greatest sense of gratitude to the loved ones of these two marine specimens that accompanied and supported on their voyage by the Navy, serving his country with love and deep respect for the naval career and throughout this life full of triumphs and challenges.
Also, to Almighty God for letting you have been and remain part of the military forces of Colombia in the Active Reserve.
My Head Valverde, my head angle, you great seamen, marine Colombia, now get this fitting tribute and recognition as a tribute to the excellent comprehensive education they have learned and taught throughout his brilliant career, marked by its military ethics, leadership, and the principles and values \u200b\u200bthat have governed for life.
A seaman is always the sea and the sea, a sailor is sailing with the spirit by waves and currents of life, always seeking to reach a safe haven, full of achievements and accomplishments, a sailor is to realize and understand the behavior of nature is very special to be a sailor, a sailor is "A state of mind."
THANKS.
Source: National Armed
