On April 21st, the Town Council of Pinos Genil reaffirmed its commitment to our province’s aviation history by attending the solemn memorial service for Commander Luis Dávila Ponce de León y Wilhelmi. Held at the San José Cemetery, the ceremony honored the aviator’s enduring legacy on the 101st anniversary of his passing.
Our local delegation—led by Mayor Gabriel Gómez Mesa, City Councilor for Tourism Francisco Martín Rojas, and tourism expert María del Mar Molina Rojas—joined the Commander’s family and distinguished military authorities. The event featured the participation of Colonel Joaquín Antonio Aguirre, Chief of the Armilla Air Base and Wing 78, alongside Francisco Cardenete García, president of the “Friends of the Armilla Air Base” Association (ASABAR), affectionately known as “Los Volantones.”
Following the traditional wreath-laying ceremony and military honors, the tribute moved to our town. Commander Dávila’s relatives visited the Pinos Genil Interpretation Center, where they explored the Sala Berta. This dedicated space honors the Commander’s life, highlighting both his impeccable military career and his deep connection to the paper mills managed by his mother, Berta Wilhelmi. This hall has become a cornerstone for sharing our local aviation and industrial history.
The gathering, defined by warmth and mutual respect, concluded with a moving family photo at the old tramway station’s photocall. This image captures the bond between the Commander’s historic legacy and a town that takes pride in nurturing its roots and heritage.
Both the Mayor and the Councilor for Tourism expressed what a profound honor it was to welcome Dávila’s descendants. They reaffirmed that the history preserved at the Sierra Tramway Interpretation Center remains a vital pillar of our cultural and tourism identity. Through this special day, Pinos Genil stands proud as a guardian of a history that unites military institutions, families, and dedicated community associations like ASABAR.
