He was a great lad, kind and smart.
He loved everyone and cared for everyone. It always was willing to help and support anyone who asked for his help, without waiting or seeking any compensation. But he was lost so unjustly and so tragically…
Flora Charalambous from Xylofagou reports in ant1ıwo:
«It was May 28, 1988…
At the Oxos outpost in Athienou…
Around 6 in the morning, my brother, the national guard Charalambos Charalambous, together with his colleague Giannis Kallesi and the other soldiers of the outpost where they served their military service, heard voices…
Someone was shouting "help, help" and was from a house across the street when a Turkish non-commissioned officer entered illegally. The unarmed national guardsmen ran immediately to help without calculating the risk and Charalambos was first.
The Turkish invader, leaving the house, saw the national guards and started firing with multiple bursts. My brother fell from the bullets of the Turk. Giannis Kallesis was seriously injured.
The sacrifice of Charalambos and the serious injury of Giannis shocked Athenou and together the whole of Cyprus.
Our Charalambos was only 21 years old. We were 5 brothers and he was the eldest. He was born in Xylofagou and graduated with honors from the American Academy in Larnaca. His future was bright. He was full of kindness, he always gave his soul for others. He had a heart of gold and everyone loved him.
Do you remember my brother?
The two of us were always together. Always all together…
You advised me, you loved me. On this trip, however, you left alone… Alone… And very early… Very unjustly…
You may not fit in here… An angel does not belong to an imperfect world full of crime and injustice.
We know that the Turk was killed later but that did not alleviate our anger and pain. You always know we will be eaten by a why, because no one was there immediately after the shootings. Maybe you were alive today, my brother.
Know that at every ring of the phone, we will wait to hear you…
Behind all goodness, we will suspect you….
That's why we will not forget you…
You're gone so suddenly and so unexpectedly…
Know that we are in pain like the first day and let 30 whole years have passed…
I will raise my eyes high in the sky, I will smile at you and I want you to smile at me!
I love you very much".
His brother, Andreas Charalambous Tasou, reports:
"I was 14 years old when my brother" left ". I was in pain, I cried… Since then I have never danced again and you, my brother, know how much I loved dancing…
I will never forget his last words…
The last time he came home, we all ate together at the table and my mother asked him why he did not bring his clothes to wash. He replied: "Who knows if I will hang ama again…". I do not know what he was thinking at that moment, because he said these words, was it accidental? Unfortunately, they came true…
My brother did not come to our house again…
He left so early and so unjustly…
It pains me that my brother was not immediately taken to the hospital. If he had not been left alone for so long and wounded today, he would have lived.
I will always love you my brother and I will always have you in my heart. Now you are an angel who definitely sees us from above.
May your memory be eternal".
Child friends and fellow villagers report:
"It is now 30 years since the heroic sacrifice of Charalambos Charalambous, our friend, our brother. The reference to this tragic event and the commemoration of the national guard hero is our DUTY. This is the minimum tribute that can be paid to our lad.
In the community of Athienou there is a monument in memory of Charalambos Charalambous ".
Source: ant1iwo.com