BY MESERET BEHAILU
It doesn’t come as a surprise for Ethiopians to come across valorous sons and daughters, every season in every military wing, who protect nation and its people. As these conquerors inherited heroism from forefathers and mothers they never compromise national interest. They attach priority to communities. In this regard, the military off shoot is one of the many sectors which safeguard nation from enemies and strive to ensure sustainable peace.
In its long history, the country has been exposed to different gruesome unfolding created by evil forces and conspirators from here and abroad. Dismantlers aim at tearing down this great nation in vain.
Fortunately however, the heroes save the country thanks to psychological strength, stamina and charged responsibility about the nation and citizens, whom they see as the apple of their eyes. Therefore, protecting nation is the first responsibility in order to bequeath it to the generation next.
Lieutenant Ayda Alaro, 32, depicted in the above picture, is a hero paratrooper that trains Ethiopians that want to follow in her footpath. So far she has made 31 parachute jumps. She is the pioneer woman trainer of paratroopers in Ethiopian history who made a number of jumps. Yeshi Gobena, Wolgaworke Amentie, and Meskerm Getachew are among the list of soldiers who made parachute jumps in musical events many years back.
“Height is directly proportional with the risk or threat. When one jumps near to the ground it affords happiness but when the height increases it becomes more demanding. The latter requires gut. Till now she jumped D6 and France 696 in Djibouti while jumped C4.Becoming the first woman general is her ambition, later to complete her relevant academia.’’
She further added jumping from the sky via a parachute is not a cakewalk. It rather requires sacrificing one’s life for safeguarding the people and the nation.
According to the Lieutenant, women are capable of leading an army as well as family. But communities still have outmoded outlook about females. ‘They say female must stay at home while men go to the field.’ It means that men are the symbol of pride, heroism, perseverance, stamina and the like. However, look at the iron lady Emperors Tayetu Betul, she was past master in intelligence, army leader and the wife of Menilk II. She led a lot of armies and became a victor during Italy invasion.”
‘’As a nation is not protected by men alone the main purpose of the military sector is protecting the nation then helping citizens is the task of both sides.’’
Meanwhile, being a soldier does not mean protecting the interest of a party or individuals it is rather standing for national pride and protecting citizens. Therefore, a party’s role and that of soldiers should be separated.
Occasionally, conflicts have been flaring up during different times in Ethiopia. But the reasons also differ. Recently, the nation was seriously confronted by the TPLF- junta group after the North Command Defense Force was attacked while in the base of Tigray state. The situation is a headache more than ever, because the conflict happened between brothers and sisters.
She believes that selfishness and vanity was the main cause of the conflict. The act was inane.that is why she stresses the conflict is a headache.
On the other hand, giving one’s life, sustaining wounds, suffering lacerating pains for one’s nation allows one experience pride. That is why forefathers and mothers sacrificed their lives and bequeathed to us a beautiful nation, she underlines.
The Ethiopian Herald 10 February 2021
