Last Monday, the Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, visited the ‘Extremadura’ XI Brigade in Bótoa, Badajoz, where she paid tribute to the memory of Sergeant 1st Débora Grau, who passed away in 2021 in the line of duty while participating with her unit in the deployment of the Coastal Artillery Defense Unit I/21 taking place in Alicante.
During the emotional ceremony, the minister awarded the Cross for Military Merit with a white distinction to Ana María Serra, mother of the sergeant, who has continued her daughter’s fight to promote bone marrow donation.
“With something as simple as a prick, we can save many lives and I believe that one of the most rewarding feelings there can be is to save the lives of many others with your own life”. This was Débora’s message, a great woman remembered by the Spanish Army and from her home, with her motto: “Get up and shine”.
The triathlete and military Raquel Puertas Tenorio dedicated a written piece to her while she was alive, saying: “Despite being small, you are big and special enough to fill any place with your presence, which very few achieve”. If she had the opportunity to have a faithful mirror to look at, it would be Débora, “professionalism, camaraderie, humility, loyalty, and countless values are what define you perfectly as a soldier: companion, friend, and woman, all heart”.
Minister Robles highlighted in her speech that “Débora would be proud to see how the community of Badajoz and the members of the ‘Extremadura’ XI Brigade have embraced her cause, reaffirming the values of solidarity and support that the Armed Forces also represent”. The minister emphasized the importance of keeping the sergeant’s legacy alive, who is remembered for her generosity and commitment.
The event, which included a visit to the unit’s headquarters, featured the participation of Lieutenant General Carlos Melero, head of the Land Force, and Brigadier General Álvaro Díaz Fernández, head of the Brigade. Also present was the president of the Junta de Extremadura, María Guardiola, who joined in the praise for the members of the Brigade, recognized for their professionalism in both national and international missions, including those under the auspices of NATO and the UN.