National Heroes Day marked during a flag raising ceremony in Valladolid, Negros Occidental, Monday, August 29.*Bfp Rsix Valladolid photo
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez rallied their constituents to continue fighting for freedom from all threats as the nation marked National Heroes Day on Monday, August 29.
“May this celebration resonate the same messages of hope and resilience to every Bacolodnon to continue fighting and defending our freedom from any form of threat or oppression just like what our ancestors did before us, “Benitez said.
“Let us honor this day by practicing a more conscientious, active, and responsible citizenship, for we are still in the course of a fight for our health, safety, recovery, and of course, freedom,” Lacson said.
Benitez said the nation marks National Heroes to recognize the unsung individuals, who shed their blood and risked their lives to pave the path towards the country’s liberty.
“We seek the same bravery to guide us in overcoming the different trials of today,” he said.
Heroism is not just manifested through bloodshed or war, heroes are all those persons, dead or alive, who offered their utmost service for the betterment of the community, Benitez said.
“We also recognize our medical front-liners who endlessly safeguard our borders against the pandemic and other illnesses, our teachers who spearhead the re-opening of face-to-face classes, our men in uniform whose visibility maintain peace and order, our farmers, laborers, and other professionals and sectors of the society who contribute to the economic cycle through their respective crafts,” Benitez said.
Lacson said we remember our heroes who contributed greatly to shape our nation and acknowledge with great respect their courage to fight for our independence.
“Heroes are produced by time and circumstances. Heroes are made the moment they respond to the call of the times and make the necessary, and oftentimes courageous sacrifices for the common good,” the governor said.
“To our frontliners from healthcare, emergency response, police, military, security, and delivery services, and also, to our street sweepers, garbage collectors, drivers, line-men, laborers, and farmers, you were the ones who bravely and unselfishly embraced the task to make the lives of your fellowmen less difficult in this time of crisis. Your courage, together with your self-sacrifice, is the highest form of homage our present society can bestow to all those who fought for us in the past,” he said. *