The Minister of National Defence Panos  Kammenos, HNDGS Chief Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis,  HAGS Chief Lt General Alkiviadis Stefanis, HNGS Vice-Admiral Nikolaos Tsounis and HAFGS Lt General (AF) Christos Christodoulou and the MoD Special Secretary Kalliopi Papaleonidas  attended the ceremony celebrating year 2017 as “Year of Reservists and Territorial Guards” held at the War Museum.  

The Minister of National Defence in his address stated the following:

“ I am extremely honoured to be attending and addressing this ceremony for the “Year of Reservists and Territorial Guards” which I officially declared in Rhodes on the 29rth of May, where I awarded some Territorial Guards, honouring them for their diachronic contribution to the country.

I am even happier to realize that today with us are Chairmen of Unions and Associations of Reserve Officers, NCOs and Privates, who demonstrate the inextricable link between the Reserve and the Armed Forces.

They have been present and active all these years – especially the most recent ones – when the National Guard and the Reserve Association were not duly organized in the context of the Armed Forces, as it ought to have been. This year we decided to take action and take this initiative further than 2017, and move on with joint exercises, training, weaponry provision, to defend our country and especially our borderline regions with our golden Reserve,   National Guard, and our Universal Defence.

The decision to designate 2017 as “Year of Reservists and Territorial Guards” is the least homage we can pay to the unsung heroes of yesterday and today , who in a spirit of self-denial and pure patriotism serve the country and fight a day-to-day battle to defend our national borders.

It is the least the country can do in recognition  of those who died in action in the name of independence, the country and our  nation.
 
We are here to honour the courage, the sacrifice of our reservists, who in the battle fields and in peace time, along with the members of the Armed Forces, the Army, Navy and Air Force, faithful to the oath they have taken, are worthy successors of their ancestors, and have been declaring through time the infamous “Come and get”.

The fallen reservists are the heroes who embellish the pages of our history, because we the Greeks more than anything are a nation of freedom, the value of which we cherish.  We are honouring the ever-burning flame of patriotism, the desire and passion for freedom which led the reserve heroes, guided by the worthy leadership of officers and NCOs, to offer their own lives, adding their names to the Pantheon of the heroes of the country.  

Especially today, the valour and heroism demonstrated through time by our reservists constitute the  holy heritage left to those who bore and are still bearing the attire of the Greek private, seaman and airman; thus Winston Churchill was urged to say that “ We will not say hereafter that Greeks fight like heroes, but heroes fight like Greeks”.

It is important to keep the fire of the new generation for freedom and independence lit, guided by the lessons taught by history and mapping out our way ahead, assuming the history responsibilities dictated by our debt to the country.

This owed debt is extremely delayed, especially for all those who fought in Cyprus during the 1974  invasion and occupation, as well as for the 1964 events, however, we are trying to pay this debt through the cooperation between the HNDGS Chief and the other Staffs’ Chiefs, because these heroic pages of our history can no longer remain in obscurity.

Repatriation and rendering the honours for those who fell not during an exercise but in action, as well as in the war in Cyprus, in the battles given to defend the national sovereignty and territorial integrity,  is our duty.  

Serving the Armed Forces is dictated by the Constitution and is part of the social life of our country. The Armed Forces constitute the main pillar for defending the independence and the freedom of our Country, rendering the Greek people secure and free to proceed with their peaceful deeds without any obstacles.

The most important  factor of the Armed Forces is their manpower. No matter how powerful and “smart” weapons might be, the outcome of each action in war and peace depends on the human factor.   

I consider the service stint one of the most creative periods in a young man’s life, because the draftees have the opportunity to contribute to the defence of the country and get equipped with further training and knowledge, acquiring skills which will enable them to deliver in the tough and competitive professional arena.

At this point I would like to say that it is quite promising the fact that following a decision to raise the percentage of staffing units located in the border areas of Greece, especially in Evros and the islands, many draftees request to prolong their service stint in border regions, rather than returning to their birthplaces. This is one of the biggest victories of the new policy drafted with the Armed Forces leadership.

The meaning of solidarity, companionship and unselfishness are felt by all during their service. It is no coincidence that the greatest,   ever-lasting friendships are formed within this context.  

It is important to stress the priceless value of the Reserve, concerning the planning, staffing of Units and General Staffs,  War Vessels and Squadrons, in times of war and crisis.

Trained reservists, depending on their specialties, should always be included in times of crisis, in war Units and formations.

The Political and Military leadership of the Armed Forces are intensifying their efforts to settle and meet the needs of the of the draftees and the Reserve with multi-faceted actions:

Firstly, we are creating better living conditions guided by the respect towards the human factor.

We are placing the emphasis on the upgraded, realistic and targeted training of all Services of the Armed Forces, with the parallel participation of the Reserve.

We are arming the Reservists, Territorial Guards and members of the Universal Defence with capabilities, weaponry and ammunition so that they are adequately trained, especially in border regions and the islands, whenever the country needs them.

We are rationally taking advantage of the skills of draftees, reinforcing the social role of the Armed Forces, rendering them able to contribute more decisively to the management of emergencies. Thus,  we are actively supporting regional areas, giving reasons  to the local population to remain in their birthplaces, also reinforcing a feeling of security.

It is nice to be witnessing how the active members of our Armed Forces  during exercises and visits are embraced and trusted  by the Greek people. It is no coincidence that following polls, it is concluded that the majority of the Greek people trusts in the Armed Forces  more than in any other institution, along with the Church.  

We do not live in an ideal neighbourhood. Our country is provoked by the Cyprus invaders, who are constantly breaching International Laws and Treaties. Our members, drafted youth and Reservists daily convey the message of deterrence and readiness of the country.  

We have already established at the MoD a Special Reservists and Territorial Guards Directorate, and I would like to ask of the Reserve Officers, NCOs and Privates Unions to cooperate closely and improve the legal context and prepare, as we did in Northern Greece, exercises along with the Permanent Personnel of the Armed Forces. Let’s reactivate institutions like military races and help these young kids after their service get integrated in the Reserve and the border Territorial Guard.

Closing, I highlight the fact that the contribution of our reservists to the country and its social welfare is of utter importance.

We should not forget that we should all together fight the battle for our country , devoted, united and without making any allowances.

The Armed Forces are not to be politically exploited. The Armed Forces unite Greek men and women. Our reservists, as members of the great and glorious military Family, with a high feeling of responsibility live up to the respect, love and trust demonstrated by the Greek People towards the Armed Forces.  

I would like to dedicate today’ s ceremony to a Reservist who is honouring  us with his presence. Allow me to read his CV. He is Reservist 1st Lieutenant Arseniou Lazaros, today 103 years old, enjoying good health and clarity of the mind and I imagine ready and raring to participate in our exercises.

The long standing history of the Reserve institution is alive and kicking in the soul of someone who fought and left part of him in the mountains of Epirus.

1St Lt Lazaros Arseniou was born in 1915 in Kalabaka, Trikala. He graduated from the Trikala High School in 1933 and in June 1936 he was drafted in the Reserve Officers School in Syros. On 28 October 1937 he received his commission as Reserve Warrant Officer (Infantry) and in November 1938 he was promoted to 1st Lt. On October 12 1940 he was drafted as a reservist. On Dec 1940 he was injured and went on a sick leave.  He then rejoined the 28th Infantry Regiment. He participated in the springtime battle against the Italian assault. Along with his co-warriors he wrote the golden pages of the glorious Greek history. Today he is the living proof of those who are determined to serve the country and the Reserve to the end of their life.  

Thank you for being here with us”.