On Tuesday, 21 May 2019, the Minister of National Defence Evangelos Apostolakis attended, as a representative of the government, the closing ceremony of the events for the 78th Anniversary of the Battle of Crete at Maleme airfield, where he laid a wreath.

The ceremony was also attended by the Chief of Hellenic Navy General Staff, Vice Admiral Nikolaos Tsounis HN, as well as delegations of Armed Forces Officers. The event also included a demo flight by an F-16 fighter aircraft and a parachutist jump.

Below is the Minister of National Defence’s address:

“Ladies and Gentlemen,

I will start first with the remark of the Mayor, Mr. Malandrakis, concerning the development of the historical site of Maleme. We will do our best, in cooperation with the Municipality. When we come up with a plan, we will move forward. For now, there are many proposals under evaluation, but our intent is to move forward.

It is a great pleasure for me to be here, on my native island, for this celebration of the Anniversary of the Battle of Crete. Another golden page in the great book that is Greek History.

It is an honour to address you as Minister of National Defence and representative of the Hellenic Government.

I would like to congratulate the Region of Crete, the Regional Unit of Hania, all the Municipalities and all contributors for the excellent organisation of the events for the 78th Anniversary of the Battle of Crete.

Events that honour Greek history, the struggles of the Nation, and Cretan tradition. History affirms that, in order to move forward, Greeks must keep it in mind. That’s what we do here today.

The Battle of Crete is a unique moment in the history of this country, which has become a legend and proves the heroism and the distinctiveness of the Greek psyche. The distinctiveness of the Cretan psyche.

Here in Maleme and across Crete, the Cretans, the Greeks, together with our Allies, with few supplies and equipment, under extremely difficult conditions, stood their ground for yet another proud “OHI” (No). They fought to protect the highest of ideals, freedom, causing the admiration of the world and the respect of their enemies.

It was a battle with tremendous strategic results and effect in the development of WWII, since a handful of fighters managed to delay the invaders’ plans and wear down part of their forces.

Fierce Cretan resistance was the first brave denial to submit and the first promising message to the other occupied areas of Europe. The message is that moral greatness surpasses superiority and greater numbers.

A people who has bled for Freedom

will rise, even against a thousand invaders.

Because freedom was never taken for granted by our people, but it was an integral part of Greek psyche. Because, at least in our country, and certainly in brave Crete, Freedom was never simply given to us, only gained through the struggles of our ancestors.

They gave their lives, with self-sacrifice and self-denial, always true to their supreme duty to protect the freedom of our country, and constitute yet another unique example of courage and resistance.

Their actions make us reflect on our own responsibilities and duty to our country. We owe this to those who willingly chose to fight and give their own lives for our country.

We are proud of all the heroic fighters, the Cretans, the Hellenic Military Academy cadets, all Greeks, as well as our British, Australian, and New Zealander allies. They became symbols of heroism and self-sacrifice, as well as a reminder of what a people can achieve when the conditions and historical duty so require.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are trying to make ourselves worthy of our ancestors at a time of fragile balance in the near vital geopolitical region of Greece. And we are doing everything we can to do this.

Our top priority is to highlight the role of Greece as a pillar of stability and provider of security in the broader region of East Mediterranean and the Balkans.

That’s why we have an active defence diplomacy, having undertaken, with responsibility and decisiveness, a key role in the promotion of defence synergies and security initiatives. Thus, we act as a communication channel among the countries the Balkans of and the East Mediterranean.

And, more importantly, now, at a time clouded by Turkey’s violations in the Aegean and its recent decision to proceed to illegal drilling in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus. A decision which we have condemned and which has caused reactions internationally.

However, in critical times, we must weigh things, have a clear view, and be decisive. Actions that contribute to consensus and cooperation between countries also contribute to growth and prosperity, to the economy, culture, to the everyday life of citizens.

In any case, we seek peace and stability. Our aim is to serve peace, security, and cooperation in the region through internationally accepted principles and international law. But, at the same time, we protect our decisive sovereign interests.

At this point, I would like to assure you that the Armed Forces, through their role and mission, guarantee our country’s territorial integrity. The Armed Forces are and will always be ready to protect our country against any threat, with self-denial and self-sacrifice.

I should stress that this certainty comes mainly from the morale, quality, and training of our most important force multiplier: our personnel. The men and women of the Armed Forces execute their mission to the fullest because they are aware of our historical continuity, where they place their own contribution.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today we render due honours to those who bled for Greece. It is our duty to honour and remember them, because they afforded us the luxury to walk on these sacred lands as free people.

But our obligation is not just to preserve their memory. Everyone’s national and moral obligation is to fight, with national unity and consensus, for our country’s peace and security, as well as for a country with a bright future, in order to justify their sacrifice.

And one of the greatest examples we must keep – and we do keep – in our mind and soul is the fighting spirit of our ancestors, the fighters of the Battle of Crete.

Honour and glory to the heroes of the Battle of Crete. The celebration of this epic anniversary is the best reassurance and promise that their bright example is our beacon.

Thank you”.