The ceremony, presided over by the Representative of the Republic for the Autonomous Region of Madeira, Paulo Barreto, took place at Pier 8 and was attended by the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces (CEMGFA), General João Cartaxo Alves, the Chiefs of Staff of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as civil, military authorities, and veterans.
A notable moment was the tribute to military personnel who lost their lives in service to Portugal, marked by an aerial flypast of a formation of F-16M aircraft from the Air Force. The CEMGFA General, in his speech, emphasized the significance of holding the commemorations in Madeira, viewing it as an affirmation of national territorial unity and the presence of the Armed Forces throughout the country, while highlighting the archipelago's strategic importance in the Atlantic.
General João Cartaxo Alves warned that "peace, that precious asset we must preserve, cannot be taken for granted," stressing that it "requires attention, political will, cooperation, but also prepared, credible, and capable Armed Forces." He noted that operational readiness is built daily through training, planning, investment, and adaptation to change.
The EMGFA's strategy focuses on strengthening joint operational capability, with an agile, mission-oriented structure. General João Cartaxo Alves further highlighted the role of military personnel, stating that "recognizing and valuing the military condition, as well as the responsibilities and sacrifices this profession entails, not only for those who serve but also for their families, is an essential requirement for the operational success of the Armed Forces".
For his part, Paulo Barreto, the Republic's Representative in Madeira, emphasized the role of the Armed Forces in the archipelago, both in fulfilling sovereignty and defense missions and in supporting populations during emergencies. He reiterated Madeira's geostrategic importance in the Atlantic.
During the ceremony, the Standard of the Madeira Operational Command was decorated with the Medal of Distinguished Services, Gold grade, by decree of the President of the Republic, António José Seguro. This award recognizes outstanding military services.
The ceremony concluded with a parade of forces, comprising personnel from the Navy, Army, and Air Force, preceded by a march of veterans. The EMGFA Day commemorations, running from October 2nd to 4th, included the inauguration of an infographic exhibition at the Funchal City Council, open until October 16th.
The celebrations will conclude with a concert by the Navy Band at Santa Catarina Park tonight, and a memorial mass at the Sé Velha of Funchal on Sunday.
