Brasília (DF) – On March 1st and 2nd, students from the Sergeants’ Training and Graduation Courses (CFGS) at the Weapons Sergeants’ School (ESA), the Logistics Sergeants’ School (EsSLog) and the Army Aviation Center (CIAvEx) received the Sergeant Max Wolf Filho Saber in a solemn ceremony.
To receive the Sabre, the 130th Anniversary Class of the Sergeants’ School wore the 1st School Uniform, a replica of the uniform worn at the old Sergeants’ School at the São João Fortress, the first systematized unit for training the Brazilian Army’s Combat Sergeant in 1894.
The Sabre, a replica of the bayonet of the 1908 Mauser Rifle, used by Sergeant Max Wolf Filho in the 1930 and Constitutionalist Revolutions of 1932, symbolizes the immortal spirit of this valiant hero of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force (FEB) and expresses the cult of traditions and the maintenance of the values of the Brazilian Army.
At the School of Logistics Sergeants (EsSLog), on March 1, in Rio de Janeiro – RJ, during a graduation ceremony presided over by the Vice-Chief of the Army’s Department of Education and Culture, Division General Josias Pedrotti da Rosa, 400 students received the Sergeant Max Wolf Filho Saber from the hands of their guests.
The Commander of EsSLog, Colonel André Luís Costa Pitangueira, spoke of the importance of the ceremony and the challenges that will have to be faced throughout the year, emphasizing the support of the family as the foundation of training.
Student Lucas Neves Salustino, Vehicle Mechanic, first place in the 1st year CFGS, received the Sabre from the Vice-Chief of DECEx in recognition of his dedication to his studies.
The Deputy of the Army Command, Sub-Lieutenant Luiz Gustavo da Silva Siston, spoke about the inspiration that should come from the examples of Sergeant Max Wolf Filho, cultivating the effort to acquire the necessary technical-professional knowledge and the tireless search for the formation of military character, based on the most cherished values and ethical principles.
Finally, General Pedrotti urged the students to have “the spirit of determination and commitment to the National Flag as a source of motivation to overcome the obstacles of the training year”.
In Três Corações (MG), on March 2, the Minister of State for Defense, José Mucio Monteiro, attended the presentation of the Sergeant Max Wolf Filho Saber to the 532 students of the Sergeants’ Training and Graduation Course (CFGS) at the Weapons Sergeants’ School (ESA) and the 37 students of the Army Aviation Center (CIAvEx).
The Sabre Handover Ceremony was attended by Mrs. Hilda Della Nina, daughter of Sergeant Max Wolf Filho, and Mrs. Dulcemar Szeremeta, great-niece, representatives of this icon of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force.
The Commander of the ESA, Brigadier General Carlos Marcelo Teixeira Costa, spoke about the importance of worshipping our heroes, because “if the Brazilian Army is today this organized institution, in permanent readiness to carry out its mission of defending the Homeland, guaranteeing law and order and cooperating with national development, it is thanks to the effort, dedication, commitment, civic-mindedness, discipline and faith in the mission of so many who preceded us and showed us exemplary work and patriotic conduct, as Sergeant Max Wolf Filho did”.
The Minister of Defense, accompanied by Mrs. Hilda, presented the Sergeant Max Wolf Filho Sabre to Alexandre Magno Neves Junior, a student at the ESA; and the Commander of the Army, General of the Army Tomás Miguel Miné Ribeiro Paiva, accompanied by Mrs. Dulcemar, presented the Sabre to Vinicius Martins Rodrigues, a student at the CIAvEx, the best-placed students, on intellectual merit, in the 1st year of the CFGS.
At the end of the ceremony, Army General Tomás emphasized what he wanted from the future leaders of small fractions: “You are inheriting the spirit of sacrifice of Sergeant Max Wolf Filho. The spirit we want in our sergeants: isonomic, stoic, detached and courageous. The spirit of the real army sergeant, who is close to the people and helps everyone.”
Dona Hilda Della Nina spoke of how pleasing it is to know that the Army is passing on the message that her father, with his death, set out to leave: that young people should have a good example of love for their country.
During the ceremonies, the 969 students from ESA, EsSLog and CIAvEx took the solemn oath: “Upon receiving this Sabre, symbol of the immortal spirit of Sergeant Max Wolf Filho, I promise to cultivate and maintain the values and traditions of the Brazilian Army.”
*** Translated by DEFCONPress FYI Team ***