On Sunday, 15 December 2024, Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, attended Divine Liturgy and the celebration of the Patron Saint of Reserve Officers, Great Martyr St Nikitas the Goth, organised by the Higher Panhellenic Reserve Officers Association, at the Holy Church of the Pantanassa Virgin Mary, at Papagos Camp.
The ceremony was also attended by honorary Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament and MP for Athens A Sector Nikitas Kaklamanis, representatives of the Chiefs of General Staffs, Chairman of HPROA Dr Filippos Kostaras, General Secretary Thrasyvoulos Ladopoulos, members of the Association’s Steering Board, Chairmen and Steering Boards of Reserve Officers Associations of Attica, and Reserve Officers.
During his address at the celebration, the Minister of National Defence stated the following:
“Ι would like to mention, that for me personally, the period when I had the honour of serving for 28 months as Potential Reserve Officer, starting from Koufovouno, Evros, to finally be discharged from Corfu, were some of the hardest months. But, judging from hindsight, with the wisdom of time and distance, they were extremely useful for my life. I do not know if they were equally useful for my country I do not think that my capabilities offered the country anything substantial, yet they contributed to stabilising my character, which I think applies to all Reserve Officers.
I would like to mention something which concerns the future, not the past, where the contribution of the Reserve Officers is evaluated according to the long list of the fallen, who have contributed to the struggles of the Nation and the people.
We are moving into a complete reorganisation phase of the Armed Forces, according to the “2030 Agenda”. A few days ago, the Prime Minister was presented with the country’s complete armaments planning for the next 20 years. Afterwards, it will be presented to the competent Committee (of the Hellenic Parliament) and approved by the Governmental Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence. Meanwhile, we are putting forward important changes concerning national service. The way in which young people are serving their country in order to be useful to the Armed Forces and themselves and – this is the point I wish to make, Mr. Chairman – the reserve. We are a small country of 11 million inhabitants. We face threats, the main challenge against us coming from a country approaching 100 million inhabitants.
Consequently, without correctly utilising the element of reserve servicemen, the country is incapable of being at a level of readiness required to maintain its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity
In cooperation with the Reserve Officers associations, Mr Chairman – before Christmas I hope – we will be able to present a holistic way of handling the reserve in our country. We have studied all models in the world similar to our own. The leadership has settled on the way of proceeding. The thing I would like to ask of you, with today’s opportunity, is your close cooperation, so that society acknowledges its extra role in the country’s defence after the citizen has taken off the honoured uniform of the Greek Soldier and Officer, and returned to civilian duties. The duty to the country ought to be a continuous process, and not an affair of a few months length.
I would also like to wish my dear Speaker, fellow MP and mentor in many ways Nikitas Kaklamanis a happy name day and many returns. We thank him for his presence here today. May we always be in good health! May you always be happy and in good fortune Mr Chairman. He is also a Reserve Captain, my senior. Therefore, I have to stand at attention, since I am a 2nd Lieutenant. Again, happy name day, and happy returns to all!
Thank you very much”.
