Heroes who died on Mărăști battlefield have been celebrated in the afternoon of Wednesday, July 20, 2016, during an event organized by Racoasa City Hall, Focsani Garrison, Vrancea County Department for Culture.
After 99 years since the heroic fights from Mărăști took place, villagers from Mărăști alongside Romanian soldiers paid tribute to their heroes in a solemn event. During the afternoon, at the Heroes Mausoleum from Mărăști, the Guard of Honor was provided by soldiers from Focsani Garrison and gendarmes of Vrancea County Gendarmerie Inspectorate, and before the beginning of the event, the torches of the mausoleum were lit. The event started with a series of patriotic songs interpreted by the Municipal Choir “Pastorala”.
The religious service of remembrance of the heroes was officiated by a group of priests coordinated by priest dean Oscar Frunza from Protoeria Focsani II. There were laid wreaths by Garrison Focsani Prefecture, Vrancea County Council, the Municipality of Focsani, Racoasa City Hall, Vrancea County Department for Culture, Association “Mărăști 1917”. Finally soldiers from Focsani Garrison gave honor and artist Maria Murgoci played a warlike song.
We invite you to read the message of the President of Vrancea County Council, in order to celebrate 99 years of historical battles from Mărăști:
“Mărăști Mausoleum, and mausoleums of Mărășești, Focsani and Soveja testify to the bravery of Romanian heroes who have sacrificed for unity of this nation. We have an obligation not only to honor, but we have an obligation to tell the world the story of the heroes from Mărăști and of those who rebuilt this village – Her Majesty Queen Mary and Marshal Averescu! “I see the honor of the country as a loyalty kept till the end!” Wrote Her Majesty Queen Mary in her notes. Loyalty paid with human sacrifice is what the heroes who fought for the country here at Mărăști during the most glorious offensive of Romanian Army in WWI showed. Loyalty to the homeland is the message given over time by those buried here in Heroes Mausoleum, a place where every inch of land is sprinkled with blood! Part of this is the blood of the villagers from Mărăști, Gogoiu, Soveja, Panciu, Straoane or from other parts of Vrancea. 99 years ago, from July to September, in Vrancea Romania’s modern history was written! Let us turn Mărăști, Mărășești, Soveja and Focsani Mausoleums, into a real place of pilgrimage for the Romanian people! Let us honor the loyalty of those who have sacrificed for our country homage! May the sacrifice of heroes from Mărăști be for ever in our souls! So help me God! Marian Oprisan, President of Vrancea County Council”.
