On Saturday, 03 November, and Sunday, 04 November 2018, the Deputy Minister of National Defence Maria Kollia-Tsaroucha, accompanied by the Chief HAGS, Lieutenant General Alkiviadis Stefanis, visited the Hellenic Outposts of Kato Aetos, Molyvdoskepastos, and Grammos.

The Deputy Minister then visited Kastoria and then the village Kelli, in the Prefecture of Florina, where she attended the doxology, in the presence of His Eminence, the Metropolitan of Florina, Prespes, and Eordea, Most Honourable and Exarch of Upper Macedonia, Mr. Theoklitos. The doxology was followed by a wreath laying and an address by the Deputy Minister within the framework of the historical village’s events. Then, she attended the National Guardsmen exercise.

Deputy Minister Maria Kollia-Tsaroucha’s address at the National Guard exercise:

“I would like to thank the military leadership, your Commanders and Officers, as well as each and every one of you for your participation, not only in today’s exercise, but in the National Guard in general.

I would also like to state, as Deputy Minister of National Defence and on behalf of the Minister of National Defence, Panos Kammenos, that we are proud to have such excellent National Guardsmen.

From these sacred lands of Greece, our Macedonia, which was not offered to us, but liberated with our sweat and blood, where our heroes and martyrs lived, we are sending the message that whoever threatens it will find against him the worthy descendants of a Nation that has always defended the Thermopylae of its historical destiny in every way possible”.

Deputy Minister Maria Kollia-Tsaroucha’s address at the events in the village Kelli:

“It remains our national obligations to safeguard our identity and history.

It also remains our obligation to continue to work towards achieving state stability and helping Greece on its course to come out of the economic crisis. The road ahead may be difficult. But it will happen, as long as we are united.

We will act with the same toughness, we will safeguard the Hellenic character of this country, and we will give all Greeks the ability to claim the future in the best terms possible! Keeping the flags of Hellenism and Orthodoxy high and having as an example the Heroes who honoured and glorified Kelli.

We pay our respects to those who gave their lives for Greece and thank them for the freedom and pride they offered to this sacred land”.