NewsWhore
01-27-2009, 04:20 PM
Leonel Fernandez led Duarte Day celebrations in San Francisco de Macoris amidst parades, cannon salvos and speeches. The President said that never has the Dominican Republic needed to be unified more than now, when it has to face challenges from a chaotic world.
Speaking at the celebrations of the 196th anniversary of Founding Father Juan Pablo Duarte's birthday, he declared, "Today we have an encounter with our own roots. To speak of the Fatherland is to speak of our fathers, our friends and ourselves." He said that we would not exist as a nation today if it were not for the titanic work of Duarte and the members of the Sociedad La Trinitaria.
"One has to imagine what it must have been like to struggle against the power of the invader, the risks taken at that time by each person," stressed the President.
In Santo Domingo, Vice President Rafael Alburquerque headed the ceremonies where hundreds people waving flags and singing the National Anthem celebrated Duarte Day with military honors, Masses, floral offerings and the obligatory parades.
The festivities began with a Mass at Santa Barbara church, attended by the Vice President and celebrated by Father Juan Pedro Araujo who called for national unity and adherence to the ideals of Duarte, "a man who made no distinction between rich and poor."
Once the religious ceremony was over, a parade began along Arzobispo Merino and El Conde streets, arriving at the Altar of the Fatherland. Students, military personnel and members of the Duarte Institute led the parade.
At the Altar of the Fatherland, dozens of floral wreaths were placed and the Vice President used the occasion to honor the Dominican Republic's founding father by calling for unity of purpose.
He said, "As we once again commemorate the birthday of the Father of the Nation who joins Dominican men and women, we know that the world economic crisis affects us today, and therefore it is time to join forces to successfully face these great challenges."
Later on the group moved to Duarte Park where the president of the Duarte Institute, Jose Joaquin Perez Savinon, called on young people, who represent the future of the nation, to reject drugs.
Perez Savinon said, "Duarte fulfilled his duty, and now it is your turn."
During the ceremony there were four salutes and an 18-gun salvo as well as the singing of the national anthem.
With the chant "long live the Dominican Republic, long live!" the ceremony came to a close with hundreds of people in attendance.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#1)
Speaking at the celebrations of the 196th anniversary of Founding Father Juan Pablo Duarte's birthday, he declared, "Today we have an encounter with our own roots. To speak of the Fatherland is to speak of our fathers, our friends and ourselves." He said that we would not exist as a nation today if it were not for the titanic work of Duarte and the members of the Sociedad La Trinitaria.
"One has to imagine what it must have been like to struggle against the power of the invader, the risks taken at that time by each person," stressed the President.
In Santo Domingo, Vice President Rafael Alburquerque headed the ceremonies where hundreds people waving flags and singing the National Anthem celebrated Duarte Day with military honors, Masses, floral offerings and the obligatory parades.
The festivities began with a Mass at Santa Barbara church, attended by the Vice President and celebrated by Father Juan Pedro Araujo who called for national unity and adherence to the ideals of Duarte, "a man who made no distinction between rich and poor."
Once the religious ceremony was over, a parade began along Arzobispo Merino and El Conde streets, arriving at the Altar of the Fatherland. Students, military personnel and members of the Duarte Institute led the parade.
At the Altar of the Fatherland, dozens of floral wreaths were placed and the Vice President used the occasion to honor the Dominican Republic's founding father by calling for unity of purpose.
He said, "As we once again commemorate the birthday of the Father of the Nation who joins Dominican men and women, we know that the world economic crisis affects us today, and therefore it is time to join forces to successfully face these great challenges."
Later on the group moved to Duarte Park where the president of the Duarte Institute, Jose Joaquin Perez Savinon, called on young people, who represent the future of the nation, to reject drugs.
Perez Savinon said, "Duarte fulfilled his duty, and now it is your turn."
During the ceremony there were four salutes and an 18-gun salvo as well as the singing of the national anthem.
With the chant "long live the Dominican Republic, long live!" the ceremony came to a close with hundreds of people in attendance.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#1)