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June 20, 2002 |
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Eternal glory to our Martyrs, |
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how about our Veterans’ Day? M. Filli A. The twentieth day of June of every calendar year has been
proclaimed as a national holiday specially designated to commemorate those who
lost their lives in the great war for the independence and liberation of the
people and country of Eritrea including those who recently lost their lives
in another great war to defend, protect and preserve the so attained Eritrean
sovereignty against the Woyane aggression in an attempt to invade, conquer,
and to reoccupy our independent country. Exactly a decade after its
declaration, our martyrs day, June 20, would be incomplete without another
extremely equivalent day for the OTHER HALF OF OUR MARTYRS: Our disabled
and not disabled VETERANS. They all took up arms for 30+ years risking
limb and life for one and the same end: Free and independent Eritrea. Some
paid the highest price by losing their life, others became disabled for life,
and yet others made it with limb and life intact. While we have rightly set a special day to commemorate our
martyrs, it escapes my mind and probably the minds of many other Eritreans as
well, why no such a day was set to appreciate, honor, and celebrate our
Veterans. A special day to express our gratitude and thanks to our Veterans
without whose invaluable sacrifices and valiance today’s Eritrea would have
remained history? While we always
remember our martyrs in our prayers, our Veterans are daily live reminders of
whom we owe our independence to and the high human cost we paid to attain the
Eritrea that we so preciously value and are bent to defend, protect, and
preserve by all means necessary. We encounter, see, touch, feel and live with
our Veterans all over our country and it is needless to say that we should
make them feel proud of the fruits of their sacrifices: Politically
independent Eritrea with now internationally recognized and unequivocal
territorial sovereignty. In this year of 2002, which to me is a year of good
news to Eritrea, it wouldn’t be, I hope, asking too much to call upon our
government to set a date and proclaim as a national holiday in honor and
appreciation of our Veterans: The long overdue VETERANS’DAY (BeAhl
Tegadelti ). This does not place Veterans above and over or below and
under the law of the land, the constitution. All Eritreans, veterans or not,
are equal before the law of the land regardless of their merits, credentials,
social, military or any other status. All Eritreans, veterans or not, are politically and otherwise
fallible. But in spite of the severity of their fallibility and various
labeling (traitors, jihadists, enemy’s bedfellows, etc), yes, they are all
Eritreans. Eritrean-ness (Eritrawnet) is not a charitable act of this or that
political organization for we are Eritreans because we are born into it and
cannot be taken away unless and until we ourselves denounce it. Exception:
Naturalized Eritreans, a situation where it can be revoked! To this, allow me
to cite the following example for the lack of a better one: Our little kids
are Eritreans not because they paid the 2% tax, voted during the referendum,
possess an identity card, or picked up arms against the enemy but because
they are born into it and are and remain Eritreans for life and beyond until
and unless they denounce it by themselves regardless of their political or
other attitudes and stances against our country. Thus, whatever Eritreans are
accused of, justice would be served if it were dealt with in a free, independent
and open judiciary setting. Having said that and notwithstanding what they say about them,
PIA and the members of the Dxy are only few examples of accomplished Veterans
of the great war for the independence and liberation of our country. It is,
therefore, inconceivable why the GOE/PFDJ shouldn’t consent to this
legitimate request/demand? Hence, let us all join hands and appeal for the
proclamation of Veterans Day, one more joyous moment to complement this
year of good news to our country. Eternal glory to our martyrs, we pray Let there also be a Veterans Day We call upon GOE in its entirety To make Veterans Day a reality Thanks, long live our veterans For your sacrifices and valiance |
