In a video message for the 50th anniversary of the April 25th revolution, the president of the National Association of Sergeants (ANS), António Lima Coelho, said that, among other reasons, "it was also the desire to achieve peace that brought about the revolution of freedom" and that, in order to protect freedom, National Defense must be taken care of, which has its "great pillar" in the Armed Forces. After quoting the poem by Sophia de Mello Breyner about April 25th, Lima Coelho recalled the "degraded conditions" of the men and women who serve the country in the Armed Forces, considering that it is everyone's obligation to provide "the trench of defense of the conditions to continue serving the country." "When the conditions of the men and women who serve the country in the Armed Forces are so degraded, and continue to be disrespected, when freedom is being questioned, when peace is so threatened, it is the duty and obligation of all of us to provide the trench of defense of the conditions to continue serving the country, of the defense of the values of democracy and freedom, and, mainly, of the values of peace," he said. In the video, Lima Coelho also appeals for participation in the popular demonstration on Avenida da Liberdade and in the events that are taking place throughout the country. "But, above all, let us participate daily and actively in the defense of the principles and values resulting from the April Revolution and which are enshrined in the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic: the April Constitution," he added. He considered that the defense of better living conditions, of the values of democracy, freedom and peace are "a permanent demand" and said that the sergeants of Portugal, "confident, determined and united", will continue "to fight for their rights, but, at the same time, to strive so that April 25th does not become a mere holiday on the calendar." "Long live April 25th! Long live freedom!" he said. Also Read: BY THE MINUTE: The 50th anniversary of April 25th is being marked. Follow the commemorations (Portuguese version)