39th Anniversary of the Founding of the TPLF Colorfully Marked in Washington D.C Metro,   Tsehaye Debalkew, Washington D.C. February, 16, 2014   The 39th Anniversary of the founding of the Tigrean People's Liberation Front /TPLF/ hosted by the Union of Tigreans in North America (UTNA)  Washington DC chapter, was colorfully celebrated crowned with fanfare and jubilation on  Saturday night at the Hilton hotel in Crystal City, Arlington Virginia.   A minute of silence in memory of the martyrdom of the late Ethiopian Premier Meles Zenawi and other fallen heroes and heroines was observed by the packed audience that converged from Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia and other surrounding environs. A Declaration by the TPLF Central Committee pertaining to the current situation stated by enumerating the shining chapters achieved and the various hurdles overcome by the Tigrean people and indeed the entire trodden masses of the country.   The Declaration stated that as a result  the struggle is continuing although at a higher  and elevated  level to put in place a just, democratic, peaceful and developed nation based on justice, equality and good governance resting on a Federal constitution   on the ashes of the defunct, despicable and unjust past orders. In the message the TPLF Central Committee reiterated its commitment to see the triumph of the 40th anniversary celebration of the founding of UTNA slotted to be marked by all Tigreans worldwide in Ethiopia the city of Makelle, Tigray beginning with the closing days of July up until the early days of August, 2014.        Ambassador  Girma Birru, Special Envoy, Ambassador Extra-ordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Democratic  Republic of Ethiopia to the United State of America and resident envoy to Canada and Mexico, who was the guest of honor at the celebratory occasion, recalled the arduous and trying days of the struggle waged by the TPLF to demolish the dictatorial military putsch and he characterized the TPLF as a movement that firmly initiated and maintained its democratic zeal, and correct political beliefs.   He highlighted TPLF's dedication to stand intricately connected with the cause of the down trodden peoples which were later wholly embraced by all nations, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia creating in its wake, a propitious condition for the struggle to intensify in depth, breadth and width under the correct leadership of the EPRDF.                                      In relation to the current situation that is prevalent in present day Ethiopia, he referred to the Growth and Transformation Plan, which has been set in place to elevate Ethiopia and its people to a higher level of Economic Social and Political advancement by enlisting the nation in the ranks of middle income countries in the not too distance future.                                      In this regard he made a clarion call on the Diaspora Ethiopians to join hands and participate in the realization of the lofty economic, political and social transformation of Ethiopia primarily to reap appropriate and legitimate fruits from their involvement and derive psychological satisfaction by concretely supporting their kith and kin, in Ethiopia by opening up new job opportunities.                                                                                   Former TPLF fighters and senior and young UTNA members presented moving poetry and sang songs that reenacted the popular struggle during its heyday while fighting for the ultimate demise of the Fascistic-military oligarchy that was entrenched in our country for Seventeen years that demanded the fierce and fiery struggle of the Ethiopian people .                                    A traditional bread cutting ceremony was undertaken by prominent community members and a live musical extravaganza accompanied by modern and diverse cultural and traditional songs that ensued entertained the audience until 2.00 AM after mid-night.