In an emotional way, Vila Nova de Famalicão paid tribute to Rosa Serra, a paratrooper nurse in the Armed Forces who was part of the first female military corps and served during the Overseas War between 1969 and 1973. Her remarkable career, marked by courage, resilience, and an example of resolution, commitment and overcoming, was highlighted at the solemn session commemorating the 40th City Day, this Wednesday, the 9th, with the presentation of the City's Medal of Honour, the highest municipal award.
"I'm moved by the recognition given to my work in the Overseas War. It was a part of my life that remains, due to the incidents of the war, which I treasure with a sense of mission accomplished," said Rosa Serra, who on her return to her hometown - she currently lives in the municipality of Cascais - met former mission colleagues (paratroopers and war veterans) and received a standing ovation for her courage and valour. "Being recognised in my hometown is a source of pride. I was born in Ribeirão and studied at Liceu Camilo Castelo Branco, but I left very young. Today I found a completely different city," she said.
Mayor Mário Passos spoke of ‘an act of justice that Famalicão is honouring him with, because of the pride we feel in his career and example’.
A total of 50 personalities and institutions from Famalicão were honoured with municipal merit medals for their contribution to the development of the municipality in different areas.
Citizens whose career "is a sign that the development of a city is not measured only by works or numbers - it is measured, above all, by the people who build it every day with their talent, dedication and generosity. And it is also thanks to this contribution that Famalicão is today a stronger, more cohesive and more humane city," said Mário Passos, thanking all those honoured.
The municipality awarded the Municipal Merit Medal to the mayors of the parish councils that are now finishing their term of office and to a group of citizens who have performed duties in the service of the public cause. The Municipal Merit Medal for Benevolence was awarded to the Gerações Association. The Municipal Cultural Merit Medal was awarded to Professor Carlos Gomes, founder of Arteduca, writer Jorge Reis-Sá, Camillian José Manuel Oliveira, photographer and editor Libório Silva, painter Maria Filomena Pereira, teacher and former director of the D. Sancho I School Group Helena Pereira and architect and illustrator Marta Vilarinho de Freitas.
Also honoured were the Castelões and Cabeçudos Scout Groups, the Nuno Álvares Fraternity from Pousada de Saramagos, the Santa Leocádia Folkloric Ranch from Fradelos and the Forave and CIOR Vocational Schools. The Municipal Medal of Merit for Science was awarded to First Lieutenant Engineer Pedro Castro Fernandes, in recognition of technological development with operational application in the maritime domain. The Municipal Sports Merit Medal was awarded to Miguel Ribeiro, chairman of the Football Club of Famalicão SAD, the Graxa Recreational, Cultural and Sports Association, the Vale São Cosme Recreational and Cultural Association and the Escorpiões Motard Club. The Municipal Economic Merit Medal was awarded posthumously to Gabriel Alves Couto, founder of the Gabriel Couto company, Alberto Couto Alves, founder of the ACA Group, Manuel Ferreira Martins, founder of the Campicarn Group and the companies Fábrica de Botões Elite, Francisco de Oliveira & Cia, Carnes Longo, RNM, S. Nogueira & Cia and Telefama.
Mário Passos emphasised Famalicão's growth over 40 years.
The ceremony also highlighted Famalicão's development over the last four decades, which has seen transformation, growth and development in its different areas. "It has become a cosmopolitan, throbbing city, and has asserted itself on the national and even international scene. All this has happened because the local authority, companies, institutions and anonymous citizens have contributed to what we are today: a dynamic, enterprising and lively city," he emphasised.
Mário Passos also reaffirmed the municipality's commitment to the future, valuing the memory and example of the past, but prepared for the challenges of the coming years, in the pursuit of a cohesive territory, with initiative, enterprise, innovation and sustained growth in different areas.
"What we've done so far is admirable - but the best is yet to come. And it will happen because we are building this future together, with seriousness, hard work and ambition," he said.
The 40th anniversary of the City was also marked with the inauguration of Vila, the municipality's new student residence, and with the Sarau/Piquenique Sénior, which brought together more than a thousand seniors in Sinçães Park for a day dedicated to demonstrating the activities developed through the municipal programme ‘Mais e Melhores Anos’ (More and Better Years).
