Today the Portuguese Parliament voted unanimously
to induct Aristides de Sousa Mendes into the National Pantheon. This is an honor befitting the 80th anniversary of Sousa Mendes' rescue action in June of 1940. The practical implication is that his physical remains will continue to lie in his home village of Cabanas de Viriato, but there will be a "cenotaph" or memorial plaque installed in Lisbon's National Pantheon. Today's action is a posthumous victory for Aristides de Sousa Mendes, who died penniless and forgotten in 1954 after having been persecuted and ruined by his government. Today Portugal can hold its head high, as can we all.
No comments:
Post a Comment