On Sunday, 30 May 2021, the Minister of National Defence Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos attended the Memorial Service in memory of the fallen Commandoes, held at the Mountain Commando Companies’ Monument, at Kavouri.
The ceremony was also attended by the Deputy Minister of National Defence Mr. Alkiviadis Stefanis, the HNDGS/Chief General Konstantinos Floros, the HAGS/Chief Lieutenant General Charalambos Lalousis, representatives of political Parties, as well as representatives of the Local Self-Governance and the Clergy. The last alive Member of the Sacred Band-Commando also attended the ceremony, Lieutenant General (ret.) Konstantinos Korkas.
The Minister of National Defence pointed out the following in his address:
“Ladies and Gentlemen,
We gathered here today, to this commemoration and honour ceremony, in memory of the Fallen Commandoes, to pay tribute and pray that the Commando Forces’ Officers and Soldiers who fell in action rest in peace. Their sacrifice is a guide, a moral and sacred legacy. Their sacrifice has been a beacon and compass for us to keep trying to “steel” our National Sovereignty and maintain our National Independence.
Maintaining the country’s Independence, during the 200 years that we celebrate this year, was not without hardships and sacrifices. The Armed Forces, devoted to their duty, are guarantors of the National Independence. The Special Forces were and still are the spear-head regarding this effort. They contribute, for a long lasting period and in a decisive manner, to the increase of deterrence and maintenance of the powerful and reliable Armed Forces, capable of facing any challenge or threat.
Through our effective defence system, we remain extroverts and project the country’s flag, wherever is required. We boost to our international prestige and prove in practice that Greece is a pillar of stability and security in an era of changes and in a region occupied by fluidity.
Ladies and gentlemen,
In today’s changing environment of security threats, the well trained Armed Forces are defined not so much by quantity, but all the more by quality. So, we need-and the country has always historically been influenced by this condition-less but better, faster, more flexible, more ready, and therefore better equipped and trained forces. This is exactly the condition in the context of which the Armed Forces thrive.
That is why the Special Forces are required to be continuously modernized. So, among other things-and accepting the suggestion during the planning of the HNDGS/Chief and the General Staff-we implemented the reorganisation of the Armed Forces’ structure, as well as the Special Operations Forces, through the establishment of the Special Warfare Command. This way, jointness, effectiveness and combat ability are further increased.
At the same time, the struggle goes on to update the structures, their materiel and assets, by providing the Special Forces members the necessary conditions. We upgrade the Special Operations Forces training, through the execution of multiple co-trainings and exercises, with strategic allies and partners, increasing their operational readiness, while at the same time we project our capabilities and the well trained (and of first rate quality) Armed Forces as a total.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Through today’s ceremony, we pay tribute to all Commandoes, who shed their blood and added a page of glory to the Greek history. The sacrifice and struggle of the fallen Commandoes is a shining example for all generations of the fallen Commandoes, while their legacy will inspire for ever. Let me add that the tree of freedom is always watered with the blood of Heroes in order to grow. In Greece, this tree has been watered by numberless Heroes, that is why it keeps growing, sprouting and blossoming.
Thank you very much”.
