On February 16, 2024, students L\u00facia Mariana Camacho and Carolina N\u00f3brega from class 11\u00ba32 at Escola Secund\u00e1ria Jaime Moniz, conducted an interview with Mr. Ant\u00f3nio Gon\u00e7alves, Military of April.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This initiative was organized within the scope of the subject History B and also aims to participate in the national competition \u201cMilitary History and Youth \u2013 the 25th of April in My Land\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ant\u00f3nio Hermenegildo Gon\u00e7alves was a third sergeant at the time of the Revolution and was carrying out mandatory military service at the Santar\u00e9m Cavalry Practice School (EPC). He revealed to the interviewers many curiosities that were part of his most intimate thoughts at that time, when he realized that perhaps something was about to change. He was referring to the strange authorizations he was receiving to repair damaged vehicles, something unprecedented and completely prohibited under so-called \u201cnormal\u201d circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The suspicion that something was going to happen is strong and is discussed within the family when he comes to Madeira. He is warned by his father about the consequences of such involvement, but like a large part of the Portuguese military, he is disgusted and angry at being tied to the national causes of a rotten regime. In fact, it was mandatory to participate in the colonial war and Ant\u00f3nio Gon\u00e7alves only stayed in Santar\u00e9m because one of his brothers had already died there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Participating in this operation was exciting. There was a lot of uncertainty throughout the journey and they faced moments of tension. However, they transformed history with their courage, they claimed victory in the center of confusion and are the faces of our Revolution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His memories and reflections are yet another testimony of another era that leads us to analyze the importance of never forgetting the sacrifices of those who had to fight for a free and democratic country. May the lessons of the past continue to guide us towards a future of peace, progress and freedom for all Portuguese!<\/p>\n\n\n