THOUSAND OSI Translation. Region: Spanish/Latin America/UN –
Source: Republic of Argentina
Every March 16, the creation of the Horse Grenadier Regiment by General José de San Martín in 1812 is commemorated. This day marks the emergence of a symbol of courage, honor, discipline and patriotism.
General San Martín understood that the fight for freedom required more than military skills; he needed men imbued with a deep love of country and an unwavering sense of duty. Therefore, he not only trained his soldiers for combat, but also cultivated in them the values that would be the backbone of his army.
From the epic Battle of San Lorenzo in 1813 (the baptism of fire), the Crossing of the Andes (1817), until the decisive battle of Ayacucho in 1824, the Horse Grenadiers were at the forefront of each scene of the fight for freedom and the defense of the homeland. They participated in countless campaigns and war actions, accumulating an impressive record of 22 decorations in just a decade.
In 1909, during the presidency of Doctor Figueroa Alcorta, he was given the mission of being Presidential Escort, and a barracks was built especially for the grenadiers on the Barranca del Plata, in a variant of French Art Nouveau.
Currently, the Regiment is made up of four mounted squadrons: Riobamba, Junín, San Lorenzo and Maypo. They are the ones usually seen in parades, escorts and military parades. They shine on their chestnut and Creole horses, evoking those brave men who more than 200 years ago crossed the Andes to liberate half the continent.
The foot squads, Chacabuco and Ayacucho, have the mission of providing security to the highest office of the National Executive Branch, both in the Government House and in the Olivos Residence. Among the functions carried out by the Ayacucho Squadron is presidential security at the Government House, the custody of the remains of the Liberator in the mausoleum in the Metropolitan Cathedral, the raising and lowering of the Official Flag of the Nation in the Plaza de Mayo. and participation in all the ceremonial events that take place in the Casa Rosada and the Cathedral. In addition, this squad is in charge of guarding the Saber of the Liberator in the National Historical Museum, located in Parque Lezama.
For its part, the Alto Perú Military Fanfare is mounted on gray horses and is characterized by having wind instruments made of bronze, and large timbales transported on robust horses.
There is also a Detachment of Grenadiers in the city of Yapeyú that guards the birthplace of the Liberator, and another in San Lorenzo, city of Santa Fe, where the Regiment’s baptism of fire took place on February 3, 1813. In addition, the Regiment It has the mission of guarding the Liberator’s house in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, where he spent the last years of his life.
Currently you can witness the changing of the guard that the grenadiers of the Casa Rosada carry out every day, and the iraising and lowering of the flag in the Plaza de Mayo.
Today, on Grenadier Day, we honor his bravery, his sacrifice and his eternal commitment to freedom and country.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.
