On the morning of this Friday, November 28, the date on which Corvette Captain (posthumous) Fernando Mendoza would have celebrated his birthday, the community of Concordia paid tribute to him at the monument and the street that bear his name.
With the presence of Mayor Francisco Azcué and relatives of the Concordia native who was part of the ARA “San Juan” submarine, the ceremony took place in the Green Zone of the Costanera of our city.
“Today Concordia gathers with a deep sentiment: that of honoring the memory, recognizing the dedication, and keeping alive the gratitude toward a son of this city who gave everything for the homeland,” stated Azcué, maintaining that the “ARA San Juan is not just a painful episode of our recent history, it is above all, a symbol of service, commitment, and sacrifice.”
“Argentina lost 44 compatriots but Concordia lost one of its own, a young man whose vocation for the sea and for the defense of the Nation led him to undertake a path that very few have the courage to take,” remarked Azcué.
For his part, the head of the Concordia Naval Delegation of the Argentine Navy, Chief Petty Officer Jorge Fabián Tassi, stated that “8 years after that painful morning, we gather again to honor those who gave their lives fulfilling their duty. The pain remains but so does the pride for their dedication, for having defended our sovereignty until the very last moment.”
The most emotional part was experienced when Raquel Colombani, Mendoza's mother, spoke, remembering her son on a very special date: “A day like today, 46 years ago, Fernando was born. He brought joy to our lives during all those years he was with us, may he rest in peace, wherever you are, very happy birthday.”
Present were the Secretary of Health Diego Sauré; the Undersecretary of Culture and Education Carlos Gatto; representing the Mayor's Office of the Government of Salto, Francisco Blardoni; consular agents; representatives of the Armed Forces and Security Forces; intermediate institutions; Malvinas war veterans, among others.
With the presence of Mayor Francisco Azcué and relatives of the Concordia native who was part of the ARA “San Juan” submarine, the ceremony took place in the Green Zone of the Costanera of our city.
“Today Concordia gathers with a deep sentiment: that of honoring the memory, recognizing the dedication, and keeping alive the gratitude toward a son of this city who gave everything for the homeland,” stated Azcué, maintaining that the “ARA San Juan is not just a painful episode of our recent history, it is above all, a symbol of service, commitment, and sacrifice.”
“Argentina lost 44 compatriots but Concordia lost one of its own, a young man whose vocation for the sea and for the defense of the Nation led him to undertake a path that very few have the courage to take,” remarked Azcué.
For his part, the head of the Concordia Naval Delegation of the Argentine Navy, Chief Petty Officer Jorge Fabián Tassi, stated that “8 years after that painful morning, we gather again to honor those who gave their lives fulfilling their duty. The pain remains but so does the pride for their dedication, for having defended our sovereignty until the very last moment.”
The most emotional part was experienced when Raquel Colombani, Mendoza's mother, spoke, remembering her son on a very special date: “A day like today, 46 years ago, Fernando was born. He brought joy to our lives during all those years he was with us, may he rest in peace, wherever you are, very happy birthday.”
Present were the Secretary of Health Diego Sauré; the Undersecretary of Culture and Education Carlos Gatto; representing the Mayor's Office of the Government of Salto, Francisco Blardoni; consular agents; representatives of the Armed Forces and Security Forces; intermediate institutions; Malvinas war veterans, among others.