On Friday, 1 December 2023, the Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias attended the Christmas celebration organized by the Hellenic National Defence General Staff at Camp “PAPAGOS” for the families and children of the military and civilian staff of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff and the Ministry of National Defence.
The ceremony was also attended by the Chief of Hellenic National Defence General Staff, General Konstantinos Floros, the Chief of Hellenic Air Force General Staff, Lieutenant General (HAF) Themistoklis Bourolias, the Chief of Hellenic Army General Staff, Lieutenant General Angelos Houdeloudis, the Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff, Vice Admiral Ioannis Drymousis HN, alongside other senior officers, as well as the mayor of Aghia Paraskevi, Mr. Vasilios Zorbas.
In his address Mr. Dendias stressed the following:
“Chief of Hellenic National Defence General Staff, General Konstantinos Floros,
Chiefs of General Staff,
Mayor,
Ladies, Gentlemen, dear members of the Armed Forces, and mostly and above, all dear
children.
I would like to take my turn to welcome you, after the Chief, at the grounds of the Ministry of National Defence and tell you it is a great pleasure and honour for me to be here among you today, to share the joy of lighting the Christmas tree.
Today’s celebration signals the commencement of the holiday season. Your response today, and especially the participation of the young children is a cause of emotion for me, but I think I speak on behalf of everyone present.
I have confirmed, to my great rejoice, the impeccable function of the institution that is the great military family.
I would like to invite you, since we are gathered here together, to consider the real meaning of the holiday season just starting, as a guideline for our actions and thoughts.
Ladies and gentlemen, the lights on the Christmas tree are not a mere commercial of a consumerist standard, as it is perceived in many societies nowadays. It carries deep symbolism. It is the refusal of darkness and night. It is the arrival and victory of new life.
The tree is the tree of life, light, and the love everyone bears towards their fellow humans.
This new life made its appearance in utmost humility in this world. It appeared in a manger, but was illumined by a Star. The Star of Bethlehem. The birth of Christ, of new life, represents hope, love, peace. Let us not forget that this is the very core of this celebration.
In an age where we face challenges and problems, even this symbolic act of lighting the Christmas Tree can turn into a symbol of optimism for the future, especially for the great family of our Armed Forces.
With these thoughts I would like to express my wish, from the depths of my heart, for a better future, to all the personnel of the Ministry, the Armed Forces, their friends and family, to all the world, but especially to the children. May the holidays be full of love and happiness.
I would like to wish for peace in our country and the world. I wish you happy holidays.
May the coming Christmas be Merry and may you enjoy a Happy New Year.
I thank you very much”.
Afterwards, the Christmas Tree was lit by the Minister of National Defence and the Chief of Hellenic National Defence General Staff, to the accompaniment of Christmas music by the Joint Military Band.
