The Prince Presides Over the Funeral for the Servicepersons Killed in Afghanistan

 

The Prince awards the Military Crosses in the red division (Photo:16th Light Infantry Brigade Office of Communication)

The coffins are escorted by fellow soldiers (Photo:16th Light Infantry Brigade Office of Communication)

Both coffins are borne by fellow soldiers (Photo:16th Light Infantry Brigade Office of Communication)
 

The Prince of Asturias today has presided over the funeral mass for Sergeant Manuel Argudín Perrino and Private Niyireth Pineda Marín –the most recent Spanish servicepersons killed in Afghanistan by the explosion of an improvised explosive device as the vehicle in which they were travelling passed by-, on Base "General Alemán Ramírez", in Las Palmas of Gran Canaria.
Both have posthumously received the Cross of Military Merit in the red division. 
On the base’s main parade ground were the victims’ relatives and friends, to whom His Royal Highness has conveyed words of affection and comfort on behalf of the entire Royal Family. 
The mass has been conducted by the military Archbishop, The Most Reverend Juan del Río, who in his homily has remembered the commitment acquired by servicepersons with everyone’s peace and security. 
The commander of 9th Light Infantry Regiment "Soria", Colonel Guillermo Labrado, presented the sergeant’s widow and the private’s son with the Flag that had covered the coffins and each one’s beret during one of the most moving moments in the ceremony. 
The authorities were, among others, the ministress of defence, Ms. Carme Chacón, the acting president of the autonomous government, Mr. Paulino Rivero, the Joint Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Force General José Julio Rodríguez, and the Chief of the Army Staff, Army Fulgencio Coll Bucher.
 
Repatriation
The mortal remains of the two fallen servicepersons were repatriated yesterday in an aircraft that took off at 7:00 am from the airport in Herat, on which the ministress of Defence and the Joint Chief of the Defence Staff travelled. 
The flight arrived at 5:30 pm on Gando Air Base in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where members of 9th Light Infantry Regiment "Soria" awaited for the transfer of the coffins.