King Felipe VI swore the flag again this Saturday, May 4, 40 years after his entry into the General Military Academy (AGM) of Zaragoza. On this occasion, the Princess of Asturias, Leonor de Borbón, has been a witness as a lady cadet. The central military event, which was chaired by the Kings, Felipe VI and Letizia, began at 11:30 a.m., with the formation of the Spanish flag entering the Patio de Armas, to the rhythm of the National Anthem. Next, the head of state was received with the formal salutes and reviewed the units in formation. Before the start of the oath, the King has joined the company of his promotion. He was the first to kiss the national flag, at 11:40 a.m., dressed in the uniform of a captain general of the Army, after which he went to the authorities’ gallery, from where he presided over the rest of the event, together to Queen Letizia. More than 200 colleagues from his XLIV class have also sworn the flag again, as happened in 2010, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary. Several relatives of deceased military personnel from the promotion also did so, amidst applause from the guests. Princess Leonor participated in this military event with the period military uniform of blue jacket, red pants and feather hat, as a second-year student of the AGM, along with the rest of the gentlemen and ladies cadets. THE AGM, IN THE HEART Lieutenant General Francisco Javier Marcos Izquierdo, head of the Military Emergency Unit (UME), has been in charge of delivering a speech addressed to those present, but especially to his classmates, the King. Felipe VI among them. “There are places that always remain in the heart, where one has done great things and for whom today we have once again sworn the flag, this academy, this imposing patio is one of those places,” said Lieutenant General Francisco Javier Marcos, who recalled that “here, 40 years ago, we did something great: committing ourselves to Spain.” He thanked the Kings for their presence at the event and described the participation of the Princess of Asturias as a lady cadet as a “privileged coincidence”. “It is a unique event in the history of the General Military Academy, the monarchy and Spain.” Lieutenant General Francisco Javier Marcos has continued that with a kiss, “the most universal gesture with which human beings express their affection, 220 sons and daughters of Spain have once again expressed our love for the Homeland, which leaves an indelible impression.” . “It has been a fleeting moment, in which our pulse has accelerated, because we have kissed the heart of Spain and listened to the heartbeat of the millions of Spaniards who respect, protect and honor it,” he expressed. He has also observed: “The true vocation of service is not to give things, but to give oneself.” Furthermore, he has placed the XLIV promotion as an example of union, “loyalty to the King, defense of Spain and its values and the Constitution.” In short, it is a commitment to Spain, “without complexes” and to the values of the flag, “more lasting than the ups and downs of history, because they belong to the essence of the Spanish people.” A “VERY SPECIAL” ACADEMIC YEAR For his part, the general director of the General Military Academy, Manuel Pérez López, has pointed out the ‘rejuration’ of the XLIV promotion as “singular”, framed in a “very special” academic year. “For the AGM it is a source of pride to form alongside a promotion that has been serving Spain with honor for 40 years, as its members have demonstrated in a multitude of scenarios and situations,” said Pérez López, highlighting their “comradeship and disposition.” “. The director of the AGM has defined the XLIV promotion as “cohesive and united by the ties of camaraderie, weathered by the passing of the years.” At this point, he has appealed to the cadets to recommend that the XLIV be “the mirror in which to look at themselves” along the “demanding” path to a career in arms. The formal ceremony concluded at 12:50 p.m. with the singing of the anthem of the General Military Academy and the parade along Army Avenue. On this occasion, neither national nor regional authorities have joined the celebration this Saturday at the military institution. Likewise, a heartfelt tribute has been paid to those who gave their lives for Spain. SPIRIT OF THE ACADEMY This rite, which is part of the spirit of the General Military Academy, is celebrated when successive promotions reach 25, 40 and 50 years of existence. The flag has been kissed by more than 30,500 officers since its creation by Spanish artists in 1886. It retains its original shield as it is considered ‘historical’. Felipe VI entered the General Military Academy on September 1, 1985 and was sworn in on October 20 of that same year, while the rest of his classmates did so on December 20. On the other hand, the Princess of Asturias, Lady Cadet Borbón Ortiz, who entered the AGM on August 17, 2023 and was sworn in on October 7, is about to complete her training in the Army. She will complete the next courses in the Navy (Marín) and the Air Force (San Javier).
