The Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos, accompanied by HNDGS Chief General Konstantinos Floros attended today, Monday 13 September 2021, the events for the celebration of the 78th Anniversary of Megisti Island Liberation, representing the Government.
In the morning, the Minister attended the Blessing ceremony at the island’s schools and next he attended the Solemn Doxology at Agios Konstantinos and Agia Eleni Church. Then, he visited the Memorial and laid a wreath; he also met with the Mayor of Megisti Mr. Georgios Sampsakos, representatives of local authorities and habitants of the island.
Mr. Panagiotopoulos went aboard the Missile Torpedo Boat (Rapid Guided Missile Patrol) “ROUSSEN” patrolling the area and discussed with the crew members. Next, he visited the Megisti Island Defence Force Camp and was informed on its mission and work.
Following his visit, the Minister of National Defence made the following address:
“With great pleasure, but mostly with honour, we are here today, at Megisti, to celebrate the island’s Liberation Anniversary during World War II.
We feel that we are not at the most remote part of Greece, but exactly where insular Greece begins, just as Evros is the place where territorial Greece begins.
It is really important and an honour for us to be in contact with this place, its Frontier people, have a place where “Greece’s heart beats really strong”. For me personally, there is a feeling that I do not honour Kastelorizo because the Political and Military Leadership of the Ministry of National Defence is present on the occasion of the Anniversary, but rather because we are the ones feeling honoured to be in Kastelorizo today. Happy anniversary!”.
