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City Hall inaugurates monument in honor of 80 years since soldiers embarked for war
Published on 02/07/2024 - 17:52 | Updated
The plaque was sculpted based on old photos and extensive iconographic research from the time - Disclosure At 102 years old, former soldier Walfrid de Moraes moved the entire audience when he unveiled the plaque in honor of the first Brazilian soldiers embarking for World War II, on April 2, 1944, exactly 80 years ago. Conceived by musician and researcher João Barone, son of soldier João Lavor Reis e Silva, and by Mayor Eduardo Paes, the tribute was inaugurated this Tuesday (July 2) with the presence of the municipal secretary of the Civil House, Lucas Padilha, and the municipal secretary of Conservation, Marco Aurelio Regalo, in addition to military authorities, such as the commander of the First Army Division, General Eduardo Tavares Martins, and Rear Admiral João Candido Marques Dias. The ceremony was attended by the Marine Corps Band.
Secretary Lucas Padilha asked those present to give a round of applause to Private Walfrid de Moraes.
– The most important person among us, a great Brazilian who represents exactly the importance of the history of Rio de Janeiro, of this port, of this square for the history of Brazil. Many stayed there, and others returned to tell the story. A story that is general. The fascination with wars is not something for those who are bellicose, it is something for those who love peace.
Walfrid was moved to tears by the tribute and the memories of the times when Brazilian soldiers faced combat and the memories of the misery of the Italian population at the time.
– I am very moved by the tribute. We saw a lot of misery in Italy, children and women going hungry. They asked us Brazilians for bread and shoes. People don’t know what war is like.
Conservation Secretary Marco Aurélio Regalo highlighted the heroism of those who donated and so many who lost their lives to fight for freedom:
– It is a very important tribute made by Mayor Eduardo Paes to celebrate the memory of those who, 80 years ago, left their families and offered their hearts, their lives, their energy to the fight for freedom in the name of our country.
The musician and researcher João Barone, who created the plaque, praised the history of the former combatants. The writer and drummer of Paralamas do Sucesso, who has published works about the Second World War, such as “1942: Brazil and its almost unknown war” and “Soldado Silva, a jornada de um brasileiro”, highlighted the importance of the tribute and was moved by the celebration of the memory of the soldiers.
– It is a landmark in a public place in honor of the 80th anniversary of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force’s departure to fight in World War II, in Italy, to fight for democracy and for a free world. It is very gratifying to see this place, where everyone who passes by will remember the great effort that Brazil made at that time for democracy.
Manager of Monuments and Fountains at the Municipal Conservation Department, Vera Dias also highlighted the importance of remembering this important chapter of history in the 20th century.
– Heritage lives on in memory. It is the preservation of the history of Brazilians who faced the Second World War, a monument that honors those who fought for freedom.
The plaque is 70 centimeters wide by 50 centimeters high, and the pedestal where it will be installed is 1,70 meters high by 1,90 meters wide. It was sculpted by Mario Pitanguy based on old photos and extensive iconographic research from the period.
