For the second year in a row, following the pandemic affecting the country, the Chilean Navy conmemored naval glory day and the 142nd anniversary of the Naval Combat of Iquique and Punta Gruesa, complying with the sanitary measures established by the Ministry of Health, thus safeguarding naval personnel and the entire community.
That is why the traditional ceremony at the Monument to the Heroes of Iquique, in Sotomayor Square, was held in person but with a limited capacity, with the presence of the Minister of National Defense, Baldo Prokurica, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Admiral Julio Leiva.
As every year, when the clock was set at 12:10 a.m., it was remembered with splashes of dick and bugle, salvos of 21 cannons, sirens of ships and port fire companies, at the exact moment when the “Emerald” sank in the Iquique line that May 21, 1879.
During his speech, the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy reaffirmed that the figure of Arturo Prat is synonymous with unity among Chileans and by jumping to boarding, he showed total coherence and consequence between saying and doing, between believing and acting, marking his life. “In times when we face great challenges, to return here, to this monument, to turn our eyes to Prat, is to return to a solid rock on which to build the future. This monument is a lighthouse and a guide that sets the right and safe course for the Fatherland. That same one That Prat and his ‘Emerald’ boys loved so much,” he added.
He also had words for health personnel who have worked tirelessly for more than a year against the Covid-19 pandemic and stated that “at this time we have witnessed the surrender, commitment and sacrifice with which anonymous heroes, like our naval heroes in the 19th century, have set out to defend and care for us without expecting any reward. Special recognition to those who today find themselves doing their best, in hospitals, poles, CESFAM and in all health facilities, overcoming their own human fears and weaknesses. For everything they do, we thank them.”
Faced with Chile’s current scenario and the institution’s role in it, Admiral Julio Leiva was erratic in saying that “as a Navy we will never claudie to the challenges we have faced during these months by protecting, caring for or helping our compatriots, as well as supporting health care with our ships. Nor will we abandon our missions at sea, patrolling against the threat of resource predation, preserving life at sea, engsing territorial integrity or exercising our deterrent role. And we reaffirm our commitment to defending and preserving our maritime interests in the Southern Sea and the Chilean Antarctic Territory.”
Finally, he commented that “at a time when our beloved Chile faces great trials, what a tremendous privilege it is to be able to count on the example of our Captain Arturo Prat. Let’s look back at Prat and just follow his example.”
With these words, which were followed throughout the national territory and also abroad, the ceremony in Sotomayor Square was terminated.
In Iquique there were also activities, with theizamiento of the national pavilion in Plaza 21 de Mayo in the early hours of this morning, honors were made and the authorities delivered floral offerings.
The commander-in-chief of the Fourth Naval Zone of Iquique, Commodus René Rojas, noted that “it is really touching when one is at the ceremony on deck and hears the sirens of the fishermers and the Firefighters, fills the soul, because the heroes who fought and who are many there sleeping, are not only of the Navy are of all Chileans , and the iquiqueño feels it very fondly.”
