The spirit of baHti meskerem of 1961 that wrang the first shot by Idris Hamid Awate in the defence of the right and truthful ownership of land and territory is the same spirit that rang the shots in Badme in May 1998. Neither Idris Awate nor the Eritrean Defence Forces would have a clue of how things would unfold, the game to be played and the price to be paid. But, the truth will prevail and that they have it on their side is the essence of that unyeilding spirit that inspires one to go on to uncharted territories of high risk adventure of Goliath and David battles.

In the first case, Idris Awate seems to have opened the gates of collective national effort to be channeled in nothing less than armed struggle to save Eritrea from the successive colonizers and aggressors who had specialized in manipulating the Eritrean people to stand politically, socially and economically divided.

His courage to stand up for his right, armed and defending his land from those who have come to dictate the norm of the day, indeed, must have seemed an outlawed thing to do in those days. In fact for many years to follow, Haile Selassie's Ethiopia use to call the freedom fighters, "handful shiftas", "bandits" without disclosing its own evil deed. But, the struggle pressed on, relaying on the truth, believing in oneself and sacrificing tremendously as it marched through treacherous experience to arrive at May 24, 1991. Long journey and dearly paid for, Eritrea's celebration for its freedom was not just about its physical freedom from oppression, but also a celebration of the truth seeking spirit that demanded it be done so.

The peace-loving Eritrean people would not have wished another long chapter of war begotten truth revealed at the end, when in May 1998 the Eritrean Defence Forces stood in defence of what is rightfully Eritrea's sovereign territory. Again, the Woyane led Ethiopian Government cried to the world that the tiny and fragile nation of Eritrea had invaded its land without so much hinting their own evil deeds. This tiny fragile nation whose freedom loving, truth seeking spirit had once again been challenged to defend not itself, but the truth as it stands, once again mustered its courage to stand-up against the manipulative hands of the Woyane. In the last year and half, Eritrea has marched through the often confusing and well-laid traps set by the Woyane, has paid dearly, suffered greatly only to find out that the truth may all along has been on its side.

It matters little if the world finally sees through the Woyane's misdeeds, or gives Eritrea a pat on the shoulder for having been the victim instead the agressor. It makes little difference if the Ethiopian Government collapses and the world gasps at Eritrea's sturdy spirit for having championed the crisis with flying colors. It matters very little if Ethiopia compensates Eritrea for all it has robbed her, in human and material assets. The damage is done! The scars will be there as primary lessons of the spirit that commenced in September 1961, and exercised its will again on May 6, 1998.

It matters great that the spirit of baHti meskerem lives on in the blood of the youngest generation of Eritreans, the warsay and the Halaw wesen, the nationalist and the united heart. It matters great that Eritrea will always depend on the spirit of baHti meskerem that knows how and when to defend itself when violated. The spirit of baHti meskerem is indeed the secret weapon that will keep Eritrea's heart pulsating, the main ingredient of what makes Eritrea a land of one heart and one people, the main reason why Eritrea is a land of tiny miracles.

Idris Hamid Awate rest in peace, the warsay generation have done you and all Eritreans proud.