Felipe & Letizia at 25th Anniversary of Civil Guard’s Unit of Rural Action: June 2005

[Anna_R]

Felipe & Letizia at 25th Anniversary of Civil Guard’s Unit of Rural Action: June 2005

Next engagement:

Wednesday, June 15th, 2005

CELEBRATION OF THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE OF THE "UNIDAD DE ACCIÓN RURAL DE LA GUARDIA CIVIL" AND "AMADRINAMIENTO DE LA BANDERA DE LA UNIDAD"
Logroño. La Rioja

 

[Elsa M.]

http://es.news.yahoo.com/050614/4/440fs.html

The Princes of Asturias will preside, tomorrow in Logroño, over the delivery of the National flag to the Civil Guard’s Unit of Rural Action (UAR), on the occasion of its 25th anniversary.

The act will take place at 1:00 p.m., although the helicopter transporting the Princes shall arrive in Logroño at 11 a.m., so that they can spend a few minutes resting in a hotel of the city. Shortly before 1:00 p.m., they will go to the equestrian centre, to attend the act, to which 2000 people are invited.

The act shall begin with a parade, followed by the delivery of the standard. The president of La Rioja, Pedro Sanz, will then make a speech (after the reading of a Ministerial message) and, afterwards, he will give the flag to the Princess of Asturias, who is the godmother of the act.

Due to her pregnancy, Doña Letizia shall remain seated during most of the act, which will last till 1:30 p.m. approximately, and will pronounce some words (the first ones since she holds the title). Then, she will give the National flag to the Lieutenant Colonel Chief of the Civil Guard's Unit of Rural Action, Ildefonso Fernandez, who will speech as well.

The act will end with a tribute to the dead soldiers and later with a toast. The Princes (who will receive some gifts, as clothes or baby-booties for their child) will leave La Rioja at 3 o’clock in the afternoon.

 

[lucys]

The Princes of Asturias will preside, tomorrow in Logroño, over the delivery of the National flag to the Civil Guard’s Unit of Rural Action (UAR), on the occasion of its 25th anniversary. [/font][/color]
[/font]

Apparently this unit is the ant-terrorists unit of the Civil Guard.

http://www.larazon.es/noticias/noti_nac59167.htm

 

[Elsa M.]

Apparently this unit is the ant-terrorists unit of the Civil Guard.

Interesting... that makes a lot more sense... the Spanish name that appears in the articles I posted is Unidad de Acción Rural de la Guardia Civil.

 

[Elsa M.]

http://www.larazon.es/noticias/noti_nac59167.htm

These journalists are just hilarious
I've read at least 5 articles naming the UAR as Unit of Rural Action. Now, La Vanguardia names UAR as Unit of Rapid (or quick) Action
Anyway, this makes much more sense to me. Thanks for the article, Lucys.

Here's a sum up of is said:

The Unit of Rapid Action (UAR), whose flag will be sponsored tomorrow by HRH the Princess of Asturias, is articulated in two organs: the Group of Rapid Action (GAR) and the Centre of Special Training (CAE). The members of the group are those who execute the operations against terrorists. Both organs have their base in Logroño, to which all the members of the GAR return periodically and after serving in missions.

 

[lula]

Its name is Unit of Rural Action, and it was created 25 years ago for the antiterrorist fight. It is called rural because its main assignment is to control the zones of mountain that terrirostis used to hide or to journey.

 

[Elsa M.]

Its name is Unit of Rural Action, and it was created 25 years ago for the antiterrorist fight. It is called rural because its main assignment is to control the zones of mountain that terrirostis used to hide or to journey.

Thanks for the clarification, Lula

 

[rchainho]

this event is going to have the presence of felipe too. What is the time she is presiding an event alone?

The Princes today preside over in Logroño the tribute to the UAR of
the Civil Guard Blood,


Doña Letizia sponsors the delivery of a national flag that the
Government of the Rioja gives to the Unit of Rural Action Pedro Sanz
transfers the pride of all the Las Riojan by this group the UAR has
participated from 1978 in the disarticulation of 80 commandos and the
halting of about 1,500 presumed ETA members
The tribute of a whole town to 25 years on watch. The Unit of Accio'n Rural (UAR) of the Civil Guard, con sede en Logroño, it will today receive the gratefulness of the La Riojan society - and
Spanish in an act that will count on the presence of Princes de
Asturias. In fact, she will be Doña Letizia, who will sponsor the act of delivery of the national flag that the
regional Government donates the special group of the Military
institution.
Four hours will remain in the La Riojan capital Princes de Asturias. Don Felipe and Doña Letizia, that they will travel in helicopter from Madrid, they will land, on the 11 hours, in a zone next to Logroño. Next they will be transferred to a centric hotel, where the Princess, in its room month of pregnancy, it will rest until shortly before the beginning of the official act in
the Equestrian Club of Logroño, anticipated for the 13 hours.
With a military parade, during that honors will surrender and magazine will go to the troops, the act of delivery of the national flag to the UAR will begin. The La Riojan president, Pedro Sanz, once read the Ministerial order of 23 of February of 2005 by that the
use of the national standard is granted to the unit, it will pronounce a speech and, next, it will give the flag to Princess de Asturias, godmother of the act. Doña Letizia, once pronouncing words, it will give the standard, that it will be blessed by the military archbishop, to the lieutenant colonel commander of the unit, Ildefonso Fernandez. A tribute to the fallen ones, with an oration in charge of the bishop Juan Jose Omella, a parade and a wine of honor will close the appointment in the
Equestrian one. The flag measures 1.5 meters in length by a meter of wide and (with
the mast including) it reaches a weight of 7 kilos.
Minister Alonso
To the act they have confirmed its presence, among other civilian and military personalities, the minister of the Interior, Jose Antonio Alonso, according to it advanced yesterday in its informative TVR; el secretario de Estado de Seguridad, Antonio Camacho; the Head of the General Staff of the Defense, Felix Sanz Roldán; the delegates of the Government in the Rioja, Navarre and Basque Country, Jose Antonio Ulecia, Vicente Ripa and Paulino Luesma, respectively; as well as the chief of a main directorate of the Civil Guard, Carlos Go'mez Arruche.
Pedro Sanz, whose Executive the past decided 4 March to donate the flag to the
UAR, it remembered yesterday, in declarations to Newspaper the RIOJA, that "there is much to be thankful to the Unit of Rural Action, that it has undergone much because many agents in the Basque Country
have died and because it has been a unit that has given much and
continues it giving. It is necessary to be always thanked for those people who are able to
give the life by you ".
Tras destacar que la presencia de los Príncipes «es un orgullo para el Gobierno de La Rioja, for its president and all the Las Riojan ", it wanted to transmit "the message of affection and affection of the
town of the Rioja to this unit. We felt proud of which it is here with us and we hope that all this
also serves as incentive and stimulus to continue defending those
ideals ", it concluded.
The presence of the Princes - who will receive as institutional gifts
two blankets of cradle of Ezcaray, dos pares de zapatos de Arnedo y dos pares de alpargatas artesanas de Cervera- provocará que la línea 9 del servicio de transporte público (Pradoviejo-Las Norias) vea modificado su recorrido entre las 9 y las 13.30 horas. Thus, the bus will make its last shutdown in parking of the Chain dumps. They promised to give its lives to defend Spain of damages terrorist
and to faith that has been certain. From the birth of the Unit of Accio'n Rural (UAR) for 25 years, five of their agents have died in act on watch, victims of attacks or confrontations with the ETA terrorists. La deuda que la sociedad tiene con ellos se concreta en sus exitosas cifras: 1,500 haltings of tie people to the band, 80 disarticulated commandos...
It was the terrorist scaling of end of the Seventies and in concrete
the death in an attack of six Civil Guards in Ispaster (Biscay), in February of 1980, what the appearance of this special group precipitated, formado con apenas medio centenar de agentes, in 1978. From its beginnings its objective was already the fight against
terrorist objectives, as well as the performance of operations that involve a serious risk
for the security.
Nevertheless it would not be until 15 June of 1982 when its official
birth with the creation of Grupo took place Antiterrorista Rural
(GAR), with seat in Logroño. Nine years later, in 1991, Special Group of Seguridad happened to denominate itself (GES); in 1996, Group of Accio'n Rural (GAR); for, definitivamente, to happen to denominate itself, from the 8 of September of 1998, Unit of Accio'n Rural (UAR). This denomination includes, on the one hand, to the Group of Accio'n Ra'pida (GAR), integrated by 509 agents and, by another one, to the Center of Special Training (IT FALLS), created in 1980, also with seat in the La Riojan capital. In this last one the agents form who compose the GAR, escorts, the members of the services of security of the Real House and Moncloa
or agents of other countries.
The UAR depends on the commander in chief of the Special Units and
Reserve, with seat in Madrid, although its direct control is in charge of the lieutenant colonel
Ildefonso head Hernandez. A sus órdenes, two lieutenants colonels: Felix Jesus Blázquez, person in charge of the GAR; and Felix Torquemada, of IT FALLS.
The UAR has four companies that operate fundamentally in the three
Basque provinces and Navarrese, although also they have developed to other services and international
missions of peace in Afghanistan, Bosnia Herzegovina or Kosovo.
Throughout these 25 years, the UAR has participated in 95% of the police actions against ETA. Thanks to its work, 1,500 tie people to the band have been stopped and about 80 ETA
commandos have been disarticulated. Between its great successes, there is one still remembered with a chill by the Spanish society: the liberation of the civil employee of the prison of Logroño, Jose Antonio Ortega Lara, who, at the end of December of 1997, it could personally congratulate the agents.

 

[rchainho]

When she starts to appear alone in events?

The Princes today preside over in Logroño the tribute to the UAR of
the Civil Guard Blood,(la rioja journal)

Doña Letizia sponsors the delivery of a national flag that the
Government of the Rioja gives to the Unit of Rural Action Pedro Sanz
transfers the pride of all the Las Riojan by this group the UAR has
participated from 1978 in the disarticulation of 80 commandos and the
halting of about 1,500 presumed ETA members
The tribute of a whole town to 25 years on watch. The Unit of Accio'n Rural (UAR) of the Civil Guard, con sede en Logroño, it will today receive the gratefulness of the La Riojan society - and
Spanish in an act that will count on the presence of Princes de
Asturias. In fact, she will be Doña Letizia, who will sponsor the act of delivery of the national flag that the
regional Government donates the special group of the Military
institution.
Four hours will remain in the La Riojan capital Princes de Asturias. Don Felipe and Doña Letizia, that they will travel in helicopter from Madrid, they will land, on the 11 hours, in a zone next to Logroño. Next they will be transferred to a centric hotel, where the Princess, in its room month of pregnancy, it will rest until shortly before the beginning of the official act in
the Equestrian Club of Logroño, anticipated for the 13 hours.
With a military parade, during that honors will surrender and magazine will go to the troops, the act of delivery of the national flag to the UAR will begin. The La Riojan president, Pedro Sanz, once read the Ministerial order of 23 of February of 2005 by that the
use of the national standard is granted to the unit, it will pronounce a speech and, next, it will give the flag to Princess de Asturias, godmother of the act. Doña Letizia, once pronouncing words, it will give the standard, that it will be blessed by the military archbishop, to the lieutenant colonel commander of the unit, Ildefonso Fernandez. A tribute to the fallen ones, with an oration in charge of the bishop Juan Jose Omella, a parade and a wine of honor will close the appointment in the
Equestrian one. The flag measures 1.5 meters in length by a meter of wide and (with
the mast including) it reaches a weight of 7 kilos.
Minister Alonso
To the act they have confirmed its presence, among other civilian and military personalities, the minister of the Interior, Jose Antonio Alonso, according to it advanced yesterday in its informative TVR; el secretario de Estado de Seguridad, Antonio Camacho; the Head of the General Staff of the Defense, Felix Sanz Roldán; the delegates of the Government in the Rioja, Navarre and Basque Country, Jose Antonio Ulecia, Vicente Ripa and Paulino Luesma, respectively; as well as the chief of a main directorate of the Civil Guard, Carlos Go'mez Arruche.
Pedro Sanz, whose Executive the past decided 4 March to donate the flag to the
UAR, it remembered yesterday, in declarations to Newspaper the RIOJA, that "there is much to be thankful to the Unit of Rural Action, that it has undergone much because many agents in the Basque Country
have died and because it has been a unit that has given much and
continues it giving. It is necessary to be always thanked for those people who are able to
give the life by you ".
Tras destacar que la presencia de los Príncipes «es un orgullo para el Gobierno de La Rioja, for its president and all the Las Riojan ", it wanted to transmit "the message of affection and affection of the
town of the Rioja to this unit. We felt proud of which it is here with us and we hope that all this
also serves as incentive and stimulus to continue defending those
ideals ", it concluded.
The presence of the Princes - who will receive as institutional gifts
two blankets of cradle of Ezcaray, dos pares de zapatos de Arnedo y dos pares de alpargatas artesanas de Cervera- provocará que la línea 9 del servicio de transporte público (Pradoviejo-Las Norias) vea modificado su recorrido entre las 9 y las 13.30 horas. Thus, the bus will make its last shutdown in parking of the Chain dumps. They promised to give its lives to defend Spain of damages terrorist
and to faith that has been certain. From the birth of the Unit of Accio'n Rural (UAR) for 25 years, five of their agents have died in act on watch, victims of attacks or confrontations with the ETA terrorists. La deuda que la sociedad tiene con ellos se concreta en sus exitosas cifras: 1,500 haltings of tie people to the band, 80 disarticulated commandos...
It was the terrorist scaling of end of the Seventies and in concrete
the death in an attack of six Civil Guards in Ispaster (Biscay), in February of 1980, what the appearance of this special group precipitated, formado con apenas medio centenar de agentes, in 1978. From its beginnings its objective was already the fight against
terrorist objectives, as well as the performance of operations that involve a serious risk
for the security.
Nevertheless it would not be until 15 June of 1982 when its official
birth with the creation of Grupo took place Antiterrorista Rural
(GAR), with seat in Logroño. Nine years later, in 1991, Special Group of Seguridad happened to denominate itself (GES); in 1996, Group of Accio'n Rural (GAR); for, definitivamente, to happen to denominate itself, from the 8 of September of 1998, Unit of Accio'n Rural (UAR). This denomination includes, on the one hand, to the Group of Accio'n Ra'pida (GAR), integrated by 509 agents and, by another one, to the Center of Special Training (IT FALLS), created in 1980, also with seat in the La Riojan capital. In this last one the agents form who compose the GAR, escorts, the members of the services of security of the Real House and Moncloa
or agents of other countries.
The UAR depends on the commander in chief of the Special Units and
Reserve, with seat in Madrid, although its direct control is in charge of the lieutenant colonel
Ildefonso head Hernandez. A sus órdenes, two lieutenants colonels: Felix Jesus Blázquez, person in charge of the GAR; and Felix Torquemada, of IT FALLS.
The UAR has four companies that operate fundamentally in the three
Basque provinces and Navarrese, although also they have developed to other services and international
missions of peace in Afghanistan, Bosnia Herzegovina or Kosovo.
Throughout these 25 years, the UAR has participated in 95% of the police actions against ETA. Thanks to its work, 1,500 tie people to the band have been stopped and about 80 ETA
commandos have been disarticulated. Between its great successes, there is one still remembered with a chill by the Spanish society: the liberation of the civil employee of the prison of Logroño, Jose Antonio Ortega Lara, who, at the end of December of 1997, it could personally congratulate the agents.

 

[Elsa M.]

http://es.news.yahoo.com/050615/185/441pi.html

The Princess of Asturias praised today "the heroic" work of the Civil Guard and supported its mission centred "in the fight against terrorism, which brutally crushes our rights and liberties".

Doña Letizia pronounced these words (the first she said in an official act, since she became the Princess of Asturias), when sponsoring the national flag, granted to the Civil Guard’s Unit of Rural Action, on its XXV anniversary.

The Princes presided over the act at the Military Equestrian centre of Logroño, and Doña Letizia, in her speech, transmitted the "most sincere and warm congratulation" to the Civil Guard, in name of the King and of her own.

 

[Elsa M.]

Video from Telecinco:

http://www.informativos.telecinco.es/princesa/asturias/discurso/dn_6415.htm

 

[Elsa M.]

Photos from GettyImages:

 

[Anna_R]

She looks great! I liked more the way she did her hair when visiting the pope, but today her hair looked good too

 

[carlota]

elsa, thanks for the pics. it's nice seeing letizia pronouncing her first speech. i wonder how she read it... she may sound like the anchorwoman of the tv...

her grandma, menchu, pronounced her speech in the royal wedding (a letter of saint john, i think it was) and she read it with a really "newscaster voice" (which i think was nice, but maybe to exhagerated)... wonder how letizia did it this time.

i was quite sad she did not wear that gorgeous caprile dress she used in the vatican. it is my favourite of her gala ones... this one made her seem older. the mantilla was absolutely nice, even nicer than the vatican one... this one was much bigger

thanks for the info about fernando araoz. he was apparently a good friend of felipe as well...

about EL CONFIDENCIAL they normally publicate "gossipy things" but they are many times right. it's a good quality gossip magazine. and that comment about felipe calling "la jefa" to letizia was also said by mariangel alcazar, another spanish journalist who goes in official trips with them, so i think she must know them quite well.

talking again about the speech... does anybody know what she said? casa real may put the speech in the official page as they normally do so with felipe's...

 

[Elsa M.]

i wonder how she read it...

Carlota, you may hear a bit of her speech on the video I posted above.
And think she read it as she should read it: in a sober, calm and institutional way

i was quite sad she did not wear that gorgeous caprile dress she used in the vatican. it is my favourite of her gala ones... this one made her seem older. the mantilla was absolutely nice, even nicer than the vatican one... this one was much bigger

Well, hardly could she fit in the Vatican dress anymore. Her body is changing and it's obvious that she's now bigger... she's pregnant!!

talking again about the speech... does anybody know what she said? casa real may put the speech in the official page as they normally do so with felipe's...

It's not on the website yet. I'll put it here, as soon as they make it available...

 

[carlota]

Carlota, you may hear a bit of her speech on the video I posted above.
And think she read it as she should read it: in a sober, calm and institutional way

Well, hardly could she fit in the Vatican dress anymore. Her body is changing and it's obvious that she's now bigger... she's pregnant!!

i forgot about that. although she may not seem to be bigger, maybe the dress is too small for her right now... it's a pity i really hope she uses it again. maybe she can have one done in other colour as she did with the day outfits.... the dress was really marvelous.

in her speech... don't you think she moved a lot her head? she really sounded like felipe when reading it... you can tell it was him who was helping her. it may have seemed un-natural because of that but to be her first speech it was quite good...

It's not on the website yet. I'll put it here, as soon as they make it available...

i will keep an eye on the website and post it if i find it

from what i could see in the video she said "she was really prous of their work and she gave them the king's congratulations" and "told them to fight hard against terrorism "

 

[carlota]

i really loved the mantilla... how beautiful...

does anybody know if it was a present for her wedding from some spanish comunity?

 

[Elsa M.]

A couple of videos:

From RTVA:
http://www.rtva.es/Informativos/-ArchivoNoticias/2005/06.Junio/15/150605-sj-012-SOC.htm

From Antena3:
http://www.antena3.com/a3n2004/servlet/Noticias?destino=../a3n/noticia/noticia.jsp&sidicom=si&id=9508337

A year after Doña Letizia became the Princess of Asturias, the House of King chose a military act to her first speech, in which she praised the role of the Civil Guard in the fight against terrorism.

Doña Letizia expressed her gratitude to the members of the Benemerita; a gratitude that, she said, is the one of all the Spanish society, as well as the manifest demonstration of the total support to its mission, centred in the fight against terrorism, which brutally crushes our rights and liberties and which deserves our total repulse and condemnation.

A brief speech in which she transmitted the congratulations in name of the King, and where the Princess of Asturias, as godmother, committed herself to always keep in her heart this unit and the flag that she’s the honour to give them.

 

[carlota]

i just noticed in elsa's video that when letizia arrive where felipe was fther the speech they hold hands together for an instant... so sweet...

 

[lucys]

This article has more stuff on the content of her speech. She talks about the sacrifice and dedication of the Unit, and since they specialize in fighting terrorists, she discusses that work as well. I have no time to translate and the automatic web translation was just too weird to post!

Apparently (not from this article) this Unit is so elite and so rigurous that they are required to leave the unit at the age of 40.

http://www.abc.es/abc/pg050615/actu...cipes_asturias_uar_guardia_civil_discurso.asp

 

[Elsa M.]

Photos from Colourpress, thanks to Larzen:

http://img7.echo.cx/my.php?image=colour102175561ms.jpg http://img7.echo.cx/my.php?image=colour102175570za.jpg http://img7.echo.cx/my.php?image=colour102175583yo.jpg

 

[Elsa M.]

http://www.larioja.com/pg050615/actualidad/region/200506/15/principes_visita1.html

Under an intense sun, which motivated some fainting, even among the troops, the Princes made their appearance (Don Felipe, in a uniform of the Ground Forces, Doña Letizia, dressed in rigorous black, with a long suit that let visible her early pregnancy and mantilla), accompanied by civilian, religious and military authorities.

After the speech of the president of La Rioja, Pedro Sanz (who underlined the antiterrorist fight made by the UAR and the Civil Guard as a whole), Doña Letizia emphasized the values of "loyalty, sacrifice and accomplishment" demonstrated by the body to whose lieutenant colonel commander she delivered the flag.

In his words of gratefulness, Hernandez considered as a "transcendental fact" the presence of the Princes at the delivery of the national flag, "a standard that will remember us what we have been, what we are and what we will have to be: firm servants of Spain".

The act at the Equestrian centre ended with an moved tribute to the members of the UAR, who died in combat, specially in terrorist acts (a total of five agents, whose names were remembered, while some of their companions deposited a crown before a monument with a great cross).

Immediately afterwards, the Princes and all the authorities (as well as a numerous people, who cheered Don Felipe and Doña Letizia) went to the outside of the Equestrian centre, to attend a parade performed by some of the forces of the UAR.

 

[Elsa M.]

The remaining photos from Colourpress, thanks to Larzen:




Another couple of photos, from EFE and GettyImages:

 

[lucys]

From Terra:

 

[lula]

Carlota, I imagine that he would be a little nervous knew that everybody was pending of her. In addition it has not either been a speech with a easy subject, a very institutional speech and for Civil Guards, speaking of its dedication to the antiterrorist fight. "lihgt" was not a subject indeed. What I ask myself is if Letizia would not have an unbearable one of heat, to the 1 p.m., whole of black and with this heat.

 

[Anna_R]

Letizia's speech (in Spanish) *I'm translating it right now!*

http://www.casareal.es/casareal/uargc01di.html

Palabras de Su Alteza Real la Princesa de Asturias en el acto de amadrinamiento de la Bandera de la Unidad de Acción Rural de la Guardia Civil
Logroño, 15 de junio de 2005

Es para mí un gran honor y un motivo de emoción especial, poder presidir por primera vez, junto a mi esposo el Príncipe de Asturias, un solemne acto de entrega de la Bandera de España y hacerlo, precisamente, a la Unidad de Acción Rural de la Guardia Civil.

Permitidme que, antes de continuar, exprese nuestra gran alegría por encontrarnos en Logroño y que dirija nuestro afecto y admiración a todos los riojanos, así como un saludo muy cordial a las autoridades que nos acompañan y a todos los asistentes.

Como Madrina de esta entrega, deseo comenzar mis palabras cumpliendo fielmente y con agrado el encargo que he recibido de S.M. el Rey de transmitir a la Guardia Civil y, muy en particular, a su Unidad de Acción Rural, Su felicitación más sincera y cordial con motivo del vigésimo quinto aniversario de la creación de esta prestigiosa Unidad.

Una felicitación a la que el Príncipe de Asturias y yo misma nos unimos de todo corazón, y que hacemos extensiva a todos y cada uno de vosotros y a vuestras familias, cuyo amor y comprensión os ayudan día a día a cumplir con ilusión renovada las misiones tan importantes que tenéis encomendadas.

Esta Bandera ha sido generosamente donada por el Consejo de Gobierno de la Comunidad Autónoma de la Rioja; hecho que pone de manifiesto una vez más, la identificación tan estrecha de esta noble tierra y de sus gentes con la Guardia Civil, una de las instituciones que recibe de los españoles un gran cariño y una de las valoraciones más altas.

De ahí que quiera aprovechar esta ocasión tan singular para ofrecer a todos los hombres y mujeres que integran la Guardia Civil, nuestro sincero reconocimiento por el valioso trabajo que desarrollan, guiado siempre por el amor a la Patria y destinado a proteger el libre ejercicio de los derechos y libertades de los ciudadanos. Reconocimiento, también, por su abnegada entrega a nuestra sociedad, por su ejemplar vocación de servicio basada en el honor, la lealtad, el compañerismo, el espíritu de sacrificio y el exacto cumplimiento del deber.

Esta Unidad de Acción Rural es reconocida como un magnífico ejemplo de la permanente capacidad de adaptación de la Guardia Civil, en su afán por cumplir el mandato constitucional de garantizar las necesidades de nuestra sociedad en materia de seguridad ciudadana. A lo largo de sus primeros veinticinco años, la Unidad se ha ido transformando y perfeccionando, hasta hacerse merecedora del alto honor que supone la concesión del derecho al uso de la Enseña Nacional.

La preparación esmerada que recibís para alcanzar la especialización que os caracteriza, así como la tenacidad y la determinación en el cumplimiento de vuestra noble misión -al afrontar muchos riesgos y dificultades- son la mejor garantía de éxito para el ejercicio de vuestra importante labor diaria.

Las cualidades que hoy adornan a esta Unidad no podrían entenderse sin la ilusión y el espíritu que supieron imprimirle sus fundadores, y que han mantenido cuantos os han precedido. Vuestro trabajo infatigable, en muchos casos heroico, en cumplimiento de vuestra misión específica de lucha contra el terrorismo y ejecución de operaciones que entrañan un gran riesgo, pone de manifiesto el verdadero alcance de vuestra firme voluntad de servicio a España.

Por todo ello, os expresamos nuestra gratitud que es la de toda la sociedad española, así como nuestro pleno apoyo a vuestra misión centrada en la lucha contra el terrorismo que conculca brutalmente nuestros derechos y libertades, y que merece nuestra total repulsa y condena.

En este marco, no queremos dejar de dedicar un emocionado homenaje de respeto y afecto a todas las víctimas de la barbarie terrorista y a sus familiares, a quienes hoy ofrecemos una vez más todo nuestro cariño y apoyo.

A la Guardia Civil y a esta Unidad quiero agradecer de manera especial el haberme brindado la oportunidad de amadrinar esta entrega de Bandera.

Permitidme que os aliente a continuar realizando vuestro trabajo con la misma ilusión, dedicación y eficacia que siempre habéis demostrado.
Que esta Bandera de España, que nos llena de profundo orgullo, os sirva de estímulo permanente en el cumplimiento de vuestra misión. Como Madrina me comprometo a guardar siempre un lugar privilegiado en mi corazón para esta Unidad y para la Bandera que tengo el honor de entregaros. Estoy segura de que la sabréis honrar con vuestro trabajo y sacrificio diarios al servicio de España y de los españoles.

 

[Anna_R]

Casa Real's official picture

 

[lucys]

After the ceremony and the parade, the Prince and Princess met with family members of Guardia Civil officers who had died in the line of duty. They also received more baby gifts, and then attended a reception with all 2000 invited guests.

 

[Elsa M.]

Another video, from Terra:

http://actualidad.terra.es/buscador/videos.cfm?pkcadena=Letizia

(click on the link that says 2005 Primer discurso oficial de Letizia Ortiz como Princesa de Asturias )

 

[Elsa M.]

Wow, nice hair-do... one of her best, in my opinion:
http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=159348