The Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias attended the celebration for the Patron-Saint of the Hellenic Air Force, Archangel Michael, which took place at the Hellenic Air Force Academy in Dekeleia.
The celebration was also attended by the Chief of HNDGS General Michail Kostarakos, the Chief of the HAFGS Lieutenant General (AF) Evangelos Tournas, the Chief of the Hellenic Fleet Vice Admiral Panagiotis Litsas and the Army Inspector General Lieutenant General Anastasios Manolas, as well as by MPs, foreign Defence Attachés, retired chiefs and officers of the Hellenic Air Force.
The address made by the Minister of National Defence was the following:
“Ministers,
Chief of the Armed Forces,
Chief of the Hellenic Air Force,
Dear colleagues
Gentlemen of the local authorities,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
First of all, I would like to thank the Chief of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff, not only for his very honorary gift, but also for the invitation he extended to me to celebrate with you this day; to honour together the Patron-Saint of the Hellenic Air Force, Archangel Michael, who is considered to be the most glorious and glowing chief commander of heavenly bodiless powers.
This is the mission of the Hellenic Air Force for our country. It is the guardian and protector of Greece’s rights and every day you, all you who serve in our Air Force, you give your best so as to guarantee our country’s security and integrity.
Ladies and gentlemen, given today’s celebration opportunity, we traditionally honour the Greek airman who offered and still offers to his country and to society, beyond anything else, the necessary feeling of security, in full consciousness of his duty and the sacrifices needed.
On account of today’s celebration, we render tribute to the heroic Greek airman who has fallen in the line of duty, so as to offer to his country and to society the inalienable right to security.
Ladies and gentlemen, we should face reality: during these particularly adverse circumstances experienced in our broader area, we are able to say that Greece is a powerful pillar of stability and cooperation in the broader region, thanks to the high spirit of the Armed Forces’ personnel and the reliability and efficiency of our national defence system, as it is proven every day factually, and not only rhetorically in the context of celebrations.
This fact proves the commitment of the government led by Samaras to ensure and guarantee the interests of Hellenism, not with howls, but with sobriety and realism.
I shall carry on the work done by my predecessor Dimitris Avramopoulos, along with my new colleagues in the political leadership of this Ministry, the Alternate Minister Ms Fofi Gennimata and the Deputy Minister Mr. Yiannis Lambropoulos.
The reliability of the Hellenic Armed Forces and the Greek Armed Forces in general, as well as their alertness to face all calls and threats, indicates our strong will to work in favour of peace and legality at international level.
During this critical circumstance and despite the issues caused by the financial crisis, the officers, the NCOs, the soldiers and the civilian personnel serving in the Armed Forces are an excellent example for Greek society. Their spirit was not infirmed. The flag remains high; in spite of the situation, the basic principles and values such as pride, dignity, decisiveness in the line of duty, remain unaltered and, more than that, they are implemented every day.
Ladies and gentlemen, I know and I comprehend the feelings which did not affect in any way the performance of your duties, as far as the -disproportional to your critical mission- salary cuts are concerned. However, the reverse course towards the gradual rectification of your wages has already started, with an amendment which will be introduced to the Greek Parliament. I want you to know that both the Prime Minister and I will always support you to the effort of rectifying these cuts.
You represent Greece of dedication and duty. Allow me to express a wish; that the unity characterising the Armed Forces will become an example. Today, more than ever, national unity is necessary, above and beyond all petty political reasoning and consideration.
Finally, I would like to address you with the expression that is today the emblem of our Air Force. An expression first used by the Lieutenant Colonel Spiros Papaspiros, the Commander of the Recruiting Centre at the base of Gaza in the Middle East, in his Order of the Day on October 5 1941 for the welcoming of the personnel of the 335 Squadron: “Always dominate the Heights”!
Many happy returns”.
