The Alicante Command Celebrates the 181st Anniversary of the Founding of the Civil Guard

The Alicante Civil Guard commemorated the 181st anniversary of the Corps' founding at the Command, which was marked on May 13th. The institutional event was presided over by the Chief Colonel, attended by the Government's Subdelegate and the Mayor of Alicante, among other authorities and guests.

As has been customary in recent years, veterans, personnel of the province's Civil Guard in reserve and retirement, were honoured. They were invited to be part of the event, with some receiving special mentions as recognition and gratitude for their professional careers.

With this gesture, the Institution aims to convey to retired officers the importance of having served in such a demanding profession as the civil guard. For this reason, the Command awarded diplomas to 15 officers who have moved to reserve or retirement status in the past year.

The efforts of other personnel were also recognised with various decorations, awarding the Silver Cross of the Order of Merit of the Civil Guard to Brigadier General Francisco César García-Almenta Alonso, Head of the Special Operations Command, and the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Civil Guard with white distinction to 27 active civil guards stationed in different units of the province, including Commander Gemma de la Cruz Moreno, head of the Command's Psychology Office, who also spoke at the event with a brief speech. She referred to colleagues who served during the storm, "working with effort and solidarity to help those most in need during difficult times," and thanked veteran civil guards for being the example "we strive to emulate."

The most emotional moment of the event was the recognition given to retired Civil Guard Antonio Calado Rodríguez, who will turn 100 next month and joined the Corps in 1950. The Colonel presented him with a diploma and a trophy, along with copies of two historical documents from his professional career, held in the Ministry of the Interior's general archive, which will likely be the most cherished by the honouree: the applicant's admission file and the civil guard's service record.

In his speech, the Colonel explained to attendees why the anniversary of the founding was commemorated today in Alicante: "On the 13th, the day of our founding, the central national event was held in Valencia with the presence of our Director General, where a special and emotional recognition was made to the civil guards who distinguished themselves in aid and protection efforts for those affected by the terrible storm that devastated the Valencia plains, our sister province, on October 29th."

"I want to first express my deepest condolences to the families of those most affected, those who lost loved ones, and a very special memory for the colleagues from the Main Post of Paiporta, civil guard Adolfo Torres and the partner of the deputy lieutenant of that Company, Nieves Navas, who tragically lost their lives due to the flooding of the Paiporta barracks parking lot."

The celebration of the anniversary of the Civil Guard's founding aims to renew the commitment to the service provided to society and the endorsement of the values and principles on which the Institution is based.

The Foundational Decree of the Civil Guard dates back to May 13, 1844, approved by the Government of General Narváez during the reign of Isabel II. The obligations, sacrifices, and duties outlined at that time in the Civil Guard's Handbook, crafted by the Duke of Ahumada, are the legacy thanks to which, today, the Civil Guard remains a benchmark of quality, versatility, and availability, inspired by principles and values of a personal nature that, due to their dedication to citizen service, constitute the hallmark of the Institute. Each new period, the Civil Guard adapts to new times without losing its essence, based on its constitutive values.