A Historic Moment for Mexico’s Navy and Forces
Family and Friends Cheer On Angela:
“¡Eres un orgullo, Ángela!”, exclaimed an aunt whose enthusiastic tone prompted applause from Angela’s mother, cousin, and sister. It was a special day, as evident from the t-shirts they wore, bearing the names of the Navy and the Naval School along with their joyful yet weary faces, oscillating between happiness and exhaustion under the intermittent sunlight and a large, slowly moving cloud.
“Let’s cheer for her now!”, said a spectator near Angela’s family, infected by their pride.
Anticipation and the Parade:
After hours of waiting, Angela’s family secured the best spot to watch her march in her pristine uniform, erect posture, arms outstretched, and focused demeanor. The emotions were genuine but unrehearsed; Angela’s smile broke the solemnity of her march for a moment.
Official Discourse and Recruitment
Secretary of the Navy’s Speech:
“Today, women and men, naval and merchant marines, have for the first time in Mexico’s history and our Armed Forces a Supreme Commandant, a woman. We make history in her first civic-military parade and in all that it signifies, continuing to transform Mexico,” declared Raymundo Pedro Morales Ángeles, Secretary of the Navy.
Military Recruitment Efforts:
Near Angela’s family, a Teoyotl soldier approached, smiling and greeting people warmly. His mission seemed to be encouraging military recruitment.
“Take him with you,” said a woman alongside her teenage son. “No, it can’t be,” Teoyotl replied with a smile, continuing the story of a 17-year-old who claimed to have run away from home to enlist in the Army in Durango. “We had him at the battalion until he turned 18 and signed a contract,” Teoyotl explained.
Promoting Military Education:
As midday approached, a child chanted “¡México, México, México!”, and others joined in. A group of soldiers specializing in telecommunications passed by, with a bystander jokingly mentioning they were the ones who conducted surveillance in Ayotzinapa.
