By CEDRUS TUTELA:
Year after year, on this solemn day, we celebrate the memory of our fallen martyrs, who willingly and bravely gave their lives in the defense of their nation and their community. 15,000 young men and women, who stood steadfast in the face of wanton death and untold adversity. They ignored their inner fears, and swept aside thoughts of the loved ones whose very lives and freedom they were protecting.
They asked for nothing. They gave everything. We are here today, able to freely celebrate their memory, thanks to their unselfish bravery and ultimate sacrifice.
A full generation ago, willingly or by turning a blind eye, the entire world, free or otherwise, set upon an unacceptable, hostile course of events for Lebanon, which would have permanently sealed our fate.
Groups of young men and women, eventually structuring under the Lebanese Forces banner, armed with their unflinching faith and whatever weapons they could gather, decided otherwise. Their heroic stand over 15 years of combat led to the conclusion of the war under the Taef agreement, which provided a just and final solution to the Lebanese quagmire. The LF unconditionally proceeded with the Taef agreement, willingly relinquished their arsenal, and chose to reinforce the reemerging nation.
Not everyone did. For our patriotic stance, and unwillingness to yield, we were systematically persecuted, imprisoned, tortured, and murdered. Syria ruled, and the Taef agreement was only selectively applied.
The Cedar’s Revolution of 2005 drove Pax Syriana out, only to see it return as Pax SyIrania. To this day, the absence of nation-wide rule of law, violent militias with illegal arsenals that target state institutions, civilians and Lebanese Army soldiers, SyIran’s violent and hostile involvement, defiance of international commitments, overt attacks on the economy, use of force in coercing political outcomes, and attempts to discard our constitution, are some of the stumbling blocks towards the rebuilding of our nation. The Cedar’s Revolution has not yet made permanent of its great accomplishments.
Our enemies conspire in the dark, waiting for and working towards signs of weakness, gaps in our ranks, or a faltering in our resolve. Many amongst us have grown weary of the struggle and its security, economic, social, and psychological impacts. Yet we have prevailed over worse, as our presence here today unquestionably attests to. The entire free world, and the majority of the Lebanese population, having witnessed and endured the oppressive years when the LF were living martyrs, has now opened both eyes, and realized what the region would turn into if criminal dictatorships had their way. Every free mind in the world has recognized the trueness and purity of our stance… and adopted it.
Words alone can never bring justice or due recognition to our fallen martyrs. Only acts of courage and patriotic wisdom, mirrored and inspired by their own, can begin to do that. Today we pray for our martyrs’ souls, and shed proud tears. One tear from which to draw strength, enthused by their courage.
Another tear of humility for the greatness of their sacrifice. A third tear of hope, for the freedom they allow us to enjoy today. The last tear, mixed with blood, is one of unflinching resolve, with which we nurture our Cedars. And to both our martyrs and our living, to our allies and our opponents alike, we say the following, as we stand today in the face of adversity we wished long dissolved: We are here. In every hill, in every city, and in every house. For the sake of each and everyone of you. You are the Cedar. We are the red line around it. The Cedar’s Revolution, which LF leader and martyred Lebanese president Bashir Gemayel started in 1982, and whose flame was kept alive by Patriarch Sfeir over 15 long and hard years of oppression, will not rest until it has permanently and irreversibly accomplished its goals. And to all we pledge, “Here we will remain. We will stand and prevail. We will carry on.” God bless the Lebanese Forces and their martyrs. God bless the Cedar’s Revolution and its martyrs. Long live Lebanon.