The Minister of National Defence Panos Kammenos accompanied by the HNDGS Chief Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis and the HAGS Chief Lt General Alkiviadis Stefanis observed the “Saos” Field Exercise in Samothrace which included the clearance of an urban region by the 4th Territorial Guard Platoon, as well as shooting practice by the territorial guards with assorted weapons.
The Minister of National Defence, addressing the Territorial Guards, stated the following:
“We are here today with the Chief of the Hellenic Army General Staff and we observed the exercise ordered a few hours ago for the National Guard, as well as a demonstration of draftees organized by your Commanders.
I want to congratulate you all for the swift response, the professionalism, and the high morale you have demonstrated, all of you, territorial guards, officers, NCOs and draftees.
We are here at Samothrace, because this island sets the example for our country. The Armed Forces, our personnel, the draftees and territorial guards all united, have formed a shield against any challenge we may face in the region.
Greece is a peaceful country, aspiring to be on good neighbouring terms with all its neighbours. It is however a country not negotiating to give up an inch of its national sovereignty. We are not willing to succumb into any challenge, which we answer. We are a country which has proven through time that when we Greeks had to, we fought to safeguard our heritage.
In our times we are witnessing verbal attacks and challenge launched by Turkey. We are witnessing an extremely challenging attitude not only against Greece but against allied countries as well.
Following the political change-over in Greece we witnessed Turkey violating international law, which Greece serves, with violations of the FIR, which are answered by the Hellenic Air Force. The last plane to land is always a Greek one. Violations of our national territorial waters , provocative attitudes like the one we witnessed the other day with the NOTAM issued by a research vessel in the region of Samothrace. All these challenges are answered by the Hellenic Navy.
However, the main deterrence force is the Army assigned on the islands and the common oath we have all taken, officers, NCOs, terrritorial guards and soldiers that ‘we will defend to the last drop of blood our flags and we will never abandon them”.
It is clear that our flags are not blown away by the wind, they only come down when they are replaced by new ones. These flags will remain hoisted as long as we shall live.
On behalf of the Greek people I would like to thank you and congratulated for your readiness, your impeccable training and your high morale. I would like to thank the Commander, Deputy Commanders, Officers and NCOs who have guided you with love, professionalism and care and provide you with training, planning and materiel which facilitate your work.
Allow me to reassure you that – on behalf of the military leadership – this year is announced asTerritorial Guards Year and we are doing everything we can to equip and train in the best possible manner the Defence of our country.
We are here not only to congratulate you but to listen to your thoughts too. To listen to your suggestions and shield the island with the territorial guards, since they are inhabitants of the island. To listen to the problems of the draftees and see how we can improve the quality of their lives, as well as the problems of the personnel, the NCOs and the Officers, who are away from home, serving the oath they took.
As political and military leadership we want to offer the best to the extent possible to improve your living conditions. In the context of the Armed Forces reorganization, we will look to enhance the number of draftees and permanent personnel on the island. We will make sure that the extra income we have gained from the exploitation of the Armed Forces assets, from offset benefits and selling non-operational material, will be earmarked to make accommodations for Professional Soldiers, NCOs and Officers, especially in border regions during these dire financial times we are experiencing, hoping that they will end soon enough and we will be able to make up for the income lost all these years.
Concluding, allow me to say that we are very proud of you and I reassure you that in all corners of Greece, the islands, Thrace, Macedonia, Epirus and in each Greek nook and cranny, as you stand tall filled with pride, so does the rest of Greece.
The Armed Forces cannot tolerate any political exploitation. The Armed Forces unite all Greek men and women, no matter their political beliefs. Our country is more important than any political beliefs.
The social offer of the Armed Forces will be further enhanced. Institutions like MOMKA (the Studies and Construction Unit, which has helped during the firefighting on the island) will be also further enhanced. I will make sure to deal with the problems of the territorial guards – analysed by the Vice-Mayor – pertaining to the medical care and the Armed Forces doctors of different specialties who will be regularly visiting the island. At the same time we are here to listen to your own proposals.
Thank you”.
