The Deputy Minister of National Defence, Mr. Nikolaos Chardalias, visited today, Wednesday 22 September 2021, the premises of the Military School, where he inaugurated the building infrastructure of the Cadets Company’s renovated building, in the presence of Chief HAGS, Lieutenant General Charalampos Lalousis.
The renovation of the building was donated by “EUROBANK” Bank, which supports the effort to upgrade and reinforce the infrastructure of the Country’s oldest higher educational institute. Cadets will now be able to devote themselves seamlessly to the demanding obligations of their higher military and academic training in a new, modern living environment.
The event was also attended by the Metropolitan Antonios of Glyfada, Elliniko, Voula, Vouliagmeni and Vari, the Chairman of EUROBANK’s Board of Directors Mr. Georgios Zanias, the Bank’s Managing Director Mr. Fokion Karavias, the Deputy Managing Director Mr. Stavros Ioannou and the Mayor of Vari, Voula, Vouliagmeni Mr. Grigoris Konstantellos.
In his address, the Deputy Minister of National Defence stated the following:
“It is with great pleasure that I am here today in the inauguration event of the renovated building of the Military Academy’s 5th Company; a project that is courtesy of “EUROBANK” Bank, whom I would like to thank from the heart on behalf of all Cadets and I would like to note that this donation is a highly symbolic act of particular value, since it deals with and honors the oldest higher educational Institute of Modern Greece.
Upon the inauguration of this building, Cadets will now be able to devote themselves seamlessly to the demanding obligations of their higher military and academic training in a new, modern living environment, which aims at providing them with the appropriate scientific background and the highest professional training required, in order on one hand to realize the scope of their mission and on the other hand, to become capable future Leaders of a contemporary and combat effective Army.
It is an undeniable fact that the Military Academy constitutes as of its establishment to this day the cradle of protection of the Country’s integrity, principles, values and ideals, but also a constant guardian of traditions and the centuries-old historical heritage of Classical Athens, the city that is symbolic of Democracy and Culture.
The Academy has always been an incubator of excellent fighters and a place where young Cadets, the Nation and the Country’s “Good Hopes”, as Ioannis Kapodistrias called its first students, committed to the ideas and the ideals of Hellenism, are being taught the sacred and intangible ideals of duty, dignity and honor, framed by the principles of endurance, prudence and discipline; virtues that have been for ages for ancient Athenians the foundation of their intellect and culture.
These are ideals and virtues that are intended to instill in Cadets an unwritten code of honor and value, capable of leading the future Officers of the Army through difficult conditions, of equipping them with courage, of strengthening their faith, of producing hope and making them capable, in order to defend selflessly the highest goods of freedom and democracy.
These are the same principles and values described in “Pericle’s Funeral Oration” by the great Athenian historian Thucydides when he glorifies the exceptional spiritual, social and political accomplishments of the Athenian state and praises democracy, as the most mature form of government, encouraging at the same time his Athenian fellow citizens to realize that it is not enough to enjoy only the goods of this utmost regime, but you have to be prepared to sacrifice yourself in order to defend it.
In all cases, we should always remember that the Cadets are young people, full with dreams and ambitions for the future, governed by optimism, smile, manliness, honesty, responsibility, large-heartedness, but also brotherliness, and have a sole vision of maintaining and developing a battleworthy, flexible, qualitative and effective Army that will constitute a strong pillar of national power and an all-powerful deterrent force for those who are plotting against the Country’s territorial integrity and national independence.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Cadets,
At an emblematic time for the entire Hellenism, since this year marks the bicentenary of the beginning of the fight of the War of Independence, the Country has to meet reliably and effectively a number of complex and multidimensional challenges, dangers and threats, in a way that its national sovereign rights are fully safeguarded.
Through joint actions in the area of defence diplomacy and foreign policy, the country is seeking to strengthen its security and highlight its stabilizing and constructive role, as a driving force behind positive development for the entire region of the Balkans and Southeastern Mediterranean Sea.
In this light, it is easily understood that the contribution of the Armed Forces’ high combat power and constant operational readiness, as a tool for exercising active and multidimensional defence diplomacy, is of essence, since it further promotes the country’s stabilizing and constructive role, establishing it as a pillar of stability and security provider for its geographical environment.
Concluding, I would like on one hand to thank EUROBANK once again for its great and unselfish donation and on the other hand, to reassure you that the Military Academy will continue to be a guardian of the code of values and virtues of Greek Officers, an incubator of leaders that will form future Greece, a structural core and a promising cell of the Greek society, but also a pool of nurturing leaders capable of defending all that is sacred for our Country”.
