

THE BATTALION IS FROM THE PEREIRANOS
By: Rubén Darío Franco Narváez.
“Much more than interests, it is pride that divides us.” -Auguste Comte, father of positivism.
The war of words continues its course, after the announcement of the transfer of the Pereira Battalion to Virginia’s Miralindo. The bombardment of blablabla is daily bread, for opponents and supporters. It is the preferred snack, especially of sitting politicians.
I remember the morning meeting, Friday, November 16, 2012, at the Officers’ Casino: Otoniel Arango Collazos (Lawyer, writer), Jaime Castaño Torres (RIP), Hernán Cortés Díaz (civic gentleman), T.C. Hesnard Eduardo Ramírez Rojas (Commander B.S.M.P.), Jefferson Duque (Head of Public Relations B.S.M.P.), Antonio Muñoz López (Civic Leader), Lieutenant Julián Andrés Molano (B.S.M.P.) and Rubén Darío Franco Narváez (journalist). There, the red alarm sounded about the transfer of the FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION NUMBER 8 SAN MATEO.
On Saturday, March 9, 2013, the President -Juan Manuel Santos Calderón- ordered the Minister of Defense -Luis Carlos Villegas Echeverri- to expedite procedures for the construction of the new SAN MATEO BATALLION in Miralindo La Virginia.
While the bombardment of words does not give up, the current memory guarantees that THE SAN MATEO BATALLION belongs to the people of Pereira. They were civic patriarchs who raised $200,000 (led by radio broadcaster Óscar Giraldo Arango -owner of Voz Amiga- who contributed the first $10,000), for the purchase of the land where it is currently located.
On October 1, 1943, through decree No. 1628, the San Mateo Battalion was organized in the city of Pereira. Initially, the barracks were located in the “Eduardo Santos” building, where the Movich Hotel is today; Later, in 1948, citizens through the Improvement Society donated the land of the Maraya farm to the Army, where it moved in 1953 and where it remains to this day.
The San Mateo Battalion is from Pereira; It currently has 1,400 active members (men and women): regular soldiers, professional soldiers, non-commissioned officers, officers, who, in coordination with civil and government authorities and control entities, provide peace of mind to the inhabitants of the 14 municipalities of the department of Risaralda.
At a good time, an intense campaign is underway to provide military service in the San Mateo Battalion of the Pereiranos, with great benefits for the new soldiers incorporated.
«The heart has reasons that the reason ignores». Blaise Pascal, French-Catholic theologian.
NOTE: It is pertinent to highlight the excellent work carried out by the Incorporation Committee of the Field Artillery Battalion Number 8 San Mateo de Pereira; headed by Second Lieutenant Dosa Jackson, supported by Professional Soldiers Caidedo Ever and Sotelo Enel; and, by Soldiers López Valeria and Molina Marien.


