The Minister of National Defence Mr. Panos Panagiotopoulos, on the subject of the anniversary of the Athens Polytechnic uprising, addressed the following Order of the Day to the military and civilian personnel of the Armed Forces:

“Officers, NCOs, Soldiers, Seamen. Airmen and Civilian personnel

Today once more, the State expresses its admiration for the heroic action of its youth against the Colonels’ regime. During tough years, they found the strength to lead the way for the restoration of Democracy in our country, with bravery and spontaneity.

The uprising of the Athens Polytechnic in November 1973 was the forerunner of the unanimous reaction by the Greek people, as well as a classic symbol of resistance to the dictatorial regime that disrupted democratic institutions and constitutional freedoms, and insulted the honour of the army.

Therefore, we are grateful in many ways to the students who, with their passion, honoured our democratic traditions.

Such struggles for noble ideals let us have today points of reference which renew our relation with History and justify to each and everyone to us the Greek fighting character, showing at the same time that behind every democratic conquest lie tough policies and social struggles. And such points of reference allow us to have liaisons, a tissue of social and national cohesion, weaving possible disputes to national account, having as set goals the rule of law, democratic governance, security and stability, social prosperity, quality of life and cultural level.

Women and men in the Armed Forces,

Today, with your everyday struggle and dedication to national duty, you constantly prove that the Armed Forces are the backbone of the Nation and our democratic institutions. Carry on, with zest and high spirit, feeling sure that you enjoy absolute support and trust by the State and the Hellenic people, who see in you the guarantor of their independence and progress.

This relentless offer of the Armed Forces and the devotion to their constitutional mission, keeping high the flag of military virtue and national pride, lead the way of optimism and perspective.

What we need is unity, solidarity and unanimity, so as to outrun the critical times we live in. We ought to get over disappointment, reshape our country, keep our dignity and independence, and fully ameliorate our fiscal system. We need a public, unified, collective, national effort. That is what our youth demands of us, who worry and suffocate by the difficult current problems and we owe to respond to that, thus honouring the struggle and the visions of that other youth, the youth of the Athens Polytechnic”.