On Sunday, 13 November 2022, the Deputy Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Ηardalias, representing the Hellenic Government, attended the festivities for the 110th Anniversary of the Unification of Samos island with Greece.
The Deputy Minister of National Defence attended the doxology at the Metropolitan Church of Aghios Nikolaos, officiated by His Eminence, the Metropolitan of Samos, Ikaria & Korsees, Mr. Efsevios, followed by a memorial service and wreath laying at the Statue of Themistoklis Sofoulis. Finally, he attended the parade in which students, cultural unions and Armed Forces detachments participated.
The events were attended by the MP for Samos, Mr. Christodoulos Stefanadis, the Deputy Head of Region for Matters of projecting and promoting products of the Northern Aegean Ms. Soultana Andreadou, representing the Head of the Northern Aegean Region, the Deputy Head of Region for the Regional Unit of Samos, Mr. Vasilios Panourakis, the Mayor of East Samos Mr. Georgios Stantzos and the Mayor of West Samos Mr. Alexandros Lyberis, the Chief/HAGS Lieutenant General Haralampos Laloussis, the Commanding General of the Higher Military Command of Interior and Islands, Lieutenant General Dimitrios Houpis, the Commanding General of the 79th Higher National Guard Battalions Command, Brigadier General Nikolaos Lampidonis, delegations from the Armed Forces and the Security Corps, as well as representatives of other agencies.
Upon the conclusion of the parade, Mr. Hardalias stated:
“From here, from beautiful Samos, we celebrated today the Unification; we honoured those who fought for Freedom and National Independence. We send a message of stability and friendship as well, but at the same time we send a message of power, readiness and most of all, we make clear that our Armed Forces, from the political and military leadership down to every soldier, consider every island, every little island and every islet of ours as a special Homeland. We are restrained, we are composed and we are powerful, ready to defend the Country. Happy Anniversary”.
