Por Pablo Arranz 
La Guardia Civil de Alicante ha celebrado este martes el 181 aniversario de la fundación de la Benemérita como cuerpo en un acto en la comandancia de la capital alicantina, donde se ha homenajeado a integrantes veteranos del instituto armado y a 15 guardias civiles que han pasado a la situación de reserva o retiro durante el último año.
A esta cita, presidida por el coronel jefe José Hernández, han asistido el subdelegado del Gobierno en Alicante, Juan Antonio Nieves, y el alcalde de la ciudad, Luis Barcala, entre otras autoridades.
During the event, the work of another personnel has also been recognized with the imposition of various decorations, and the Silver Cross of the Order of Merit of the Civil Guard has been awarded 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 a white distinctive to 27 active civil guards, assigned to different units in the province.
Among these last individuals is Commander Gemma de la Cruz Moreno, head of the Psychology Department at the headquarters, who also referred during her speech at the event to the colleagues who served during the dana on October 29 in Valencia, who worked «with effort and solidarity to help those who needed it most in difficult times.» She also thanked the veterans for being the example to follow.
During the event, recognition was also given to retired civil guard Antonio Calado Rodríguez, who will turn 100 in a month and joined the force in 1950. The colonel presented him with a diploma and a trophy, as well as copies of two historical documents from his professional career, which are kept in the General Archive of the Ministry of the Interior: the admission file of the applicant and the service record.
In his speech, Colonel Chief José Hernández explained to the attendees the reasons why in Alicante, the anniversary of the founding of the Civil Guard was commemorated on Tuesday: «On the 13th, the central event at the national level 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 the tasks of assistance and protection of those affected by the terrible dana that devastated the valleys of Valencia on October 29, our sister province.»
At this point, he expressed his «most sincere condolences to the families of those most affected, those who lost their loved ones,» and had a «very special memory for the colleagues at the main station in Paiporta» and, particularly, for civil guard Adolfo Torres and the partner of the deputy lieutenant of that company, Nieves Navas, «who tragically lost their lives in the flooding of the barracks’ parking lot in this municipality.»
CORONEL JEFE
On the other hand, Hernández, in addition to his speech, also mentioned to the media the colleagues who were involved in the dana «in their work of assistance, rescue, and protection.» He also explained that he is reaching the «end» of his active life in the Civil Guard after 41 years of service. «I still have a path to follow within the reserve,» he added.
Regarding the new headquarters, the colonel replied that he would have liked to «see some progress.» He also expressed confidence in a new headquarters in Alicante «if the project goes smoothly.»
On the other hand, the government’s subdelegate in Alicante, Juan Antonio Nieves, in statements to the media, expressed his gratitude for «being able to share this important date for the Civil Guard within the headquarters.»