On Wednesday 3 May 2023, the Deputy Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Hardalias represented the President of the Hellenic Republic in the ceremonial event “in honour and remembrance of the Fallen in Gallipoli Campaign”, co-organised by the Limnos District and the Municipality of Limnos and taken place at the Commonwealth Military Cemetery, in Moudros. The event was attended by Her Excellency the President of the Hellenic Republic Ms. Katerina Sakellaropoulou and His Excellency the General Governor of the Australian Commonwealth Mr. David Hurley.
During the ceremonial event, a Memorial Service took place, officiated by the Metropolitan of Limnos & Aghios Efstratios Ierotheos C, as well as a wreath laying by Her Excellency the President of the Hellenic Republic, His Excellency the General Governor of the Australian Commonwealth, the Ambassadors in Greece of the United Kingdom Mr. Matthew Lodge and of Canada Ms. Anna-Karine Asselin, the Chargé d’ Affaires of New Zealand in Rome Mr. Daniel Wai-Poi and the Defence Attaché Colonel Efrem Moioli, representing the Italian Ambassador in Greece.
In the context of this year’s event, a foundation ceremony also took place of Limnos Memory Path, a monument (click on http://www.mod.mil.gr/o-yfetha-nikolaos-chardalias-sti-limno-se-teliko-stadio-kataskevi/) raised due to a close and effective cooperation of the Ministry of National Defence with the Australian Government, the Northern Aegean District and Limnos Municipality, to honour the men of the army expeditionary corps of Australia and New Zealand (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps – ANZAC), who served on the island during the Gallipoli Campaign. (1915-1916).
During the ceremony, His Excellency the General Governor of the Australian Commonwealth Mr. David Hurley made an address, whereas in his speech the Deputy Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Hardalias stated:
“It is with great devoutness and respect that I represent the Government of the Hellenic Republic in today’s ceremonial event, to honour the sacrifice of the courageous men of the Allied forces, and especially of the Australians and the New Zealanders, who participated in the Gallipoli Campaign 108 years ago.
Ladies and gentlemen, we traditionally confirm the use of the terms and phrases like “higher values” or “common principles” or “dedication to democracy” as reference points for the engagement of liberal, friendly countries. In reality, such emotionally strong words are used so often in public speech in our days, that sometimes I have the impression that they tend to decay in purposeless sophisticated or obscure words. But in the case of the Australian and New Zealanders expeditionary corps fighters of ANZAC, we track down a case where their use is absolutely justified by the historical circumstances.
In 1914, the sons and daughters of Australia and New Zealand, along with their allies from Great Britain, France, Canada and other states, rushed to enlist to fight in the conflict which would justifiably be called “The Great War”. I believe they did not offer to risk their youth and their own life only due to a sense of duty towards the Country, the King and their Empire, but because they realised the risk: The whole world was witnessing ruthless regimes, which spread their tentacles to violently extend their dictatorial doctrines, to devour foreign countries and drown people to blood, as it happened with the genocide of the Pontian Hellenism and the Armenians. The ANZAC fighters resisted to these repulsive criminals against humanity.
The enthusiastic and determined young soldiers, who came together in the Northern Aegean in 1915, knew that they were coming to fight in the ancient Greek soil of the myths and heroes they had been taught during their school years. Allow me to state some verses from a marvellous poem of the soldier Patrick Stewart, who participated in the Gallipoli Campaign, while serving in the Royal Navy Division: “I will return this morning from Imvros beyond the sea/Get up from the trench, you flame bearer Achilles, and call me!”. It is worth mentioning that some of them were of Greek origin, like the young soldier Peter Rados, who fell in action.
The ANZAC officers and soldiers suffered heavy losses and unbelievable hardships. But against all difficulties, these men did not bow. Their courage and dedication to duty would be justified with the triumph of Antante three years later. So, the ANZAC legend appeared and continues until our days, connecting different generations of Australians, New Zealanders and Greeks.
The untamed ANZAC fighters knew that, despite the sustained bullets and shells on the side of their perfectly fortified opponents, despite the fierce close combats in the trenches and despite the tragic losses, they had discovered in the island of Limnos and the picturesque town of Moudros a safe shelter and people, with whom, above all, shared the same principles. More than a hundred thousand patients and injured army officers of the allied forces were treated here, with the full solidarity of the citizens of Limnos. Until today, the relics of some fallen men rest at the Allied Cemetery of Moudros. Because as Periklis correctly realised, almost twenty five centuries ago, the whole earth is the sepulchre of famous men, and their name is not only remembered through inscriptions in their country, but their memory is retained in foreign countries as well, more in the memory and hearts of the people than the written scripts and the tombs.
Distinguished guests, friends, the ANZAC soldiers were incarnating an untamed bravery from which we can all be inspired. It is important to keep their spirit alive. For this reason, I am very happy that I am given this opportunity today to participate in the start of the works regarding the construction of the Limnos Memory Path, funded by the Australian Government to honour the fallen heroes of the Gallipoli Campaign.
In October 2022, during an official visit in Australia, I had the opportunity to discuss the matter with the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Mr. Richard Marles, as well as the Defence Personnel and Veteran Affairs Minister Mr. Matt Keogh, who were committed to the construction of the project, amounting to 4.9 million Australian dollars, in cooperation with the Ministry of National Defence. I would like to express my satisfaction and warm thanks to the government of the Labour Party, which rushed to incorporate the Memory Path in the first federal budget approved. At a personal level, I would like to add that my joy is double, due to the special personal and even family bonds that connect me with Australia and the Greek citizens there.
I am certain that this plan, once completed, will be transformed to a reference point for those coming to Limnos and want to know more about ANZAC history. Beyond that, the Path will function as a bridge of friendship and cooperation between our countries and will give next generations a characteristic sample of firm bonds that ignore kilometric distances.
Distinguished guests, Greece and the countries from which the ANZAC fighters originated, the friendly countries Australia and New Zealand are many thousand kilometres away. However, exactly like the ANZAC heroes, we know that distances in the globe are indifferent, when the risk is freedom, democracy, national sovereignty and defence of our open societies. At a time where authoritarian regimes in the whole planet forget History’s lessons learned and try again to impose by force their aggressive revisionism, using even the most shameless tactics, it is important to remember these common principles, which brought Greece, Australia and New Zealand on the same side during the Great War.
Because only by relying on the beliefs we share, we can jointly build a bright future of peace and prosperity. Only the self-sacrifice of our women and men in the Armed Forces, with their everlasting self-sacrifice and sense of duty, can guarantee the requirements for such a future. Exactly as the ANZAC fighters did during the Gallipoli Campaign. Let us never forget their sacrifice!
Congratulations to all. Congratulations to Northern Aegean District.
The sustenance of the historic memory is still our common bet with regard to patriotic responsibility and duty!”
The events were also attended by the Northern Aegean Regional Governor Mr. Konstantinos Moutzouris, the Prefect of Limnos & Aghios Efstratios Mr. Angelos Vlattas-Lambrinos, the Mayor of Limnos Mr. Dimitrios Marinakis, the Australian Ambassador in Greece Mr. Arthur Spyrou, the Commander of the Higher Military Command of Interior and Islands Lieutenant General Sotirios Kostakoglou, representing the Chief/HAGS and a delegation of Armed and Security Corps members.
