Officers, NCOs, Privates, Seamen, Aircraftmen, National Guards, Reservists and Civilian Personnel of the Armed Forces,

March 25th 1821, the day of the beginning of the War of National Independence, wakens memories of National pride to every Greek, which emanate from the epic of our national regeneration’s heroic combatants and from the historical conjunction of the two cornerstones of the Greek people, Homeland and Orthodoxy.

Today’s anniversary, apart from the religious symbolism of Virgin Mary’s Annunciation which is a historical joyous message, it also conveys the joyous message of our Nation’s “resurrection” after 400 years of Turkish slavery and persecutions. Greek’s uprising in 1821 is the most important moment in our modern history, a new beginning for Greek people.

The epic of our national regeneration is a special moment for global history too, as a symbol of hearty resistance, a valuable source of combat inspiration and a great example of a people’s self sacrifice. It was a national insurrection in which all Greeks participated, regardless of their sex, age, profession, education and social status. Greek people, entirely, offered everything to this “struggle above everything else”. Our then enslaved nation responded altogether.

The birthday of the Modern Greek state is also a day of national pride and emotion, as well as a day of memory and contemplation. Everybody knows that Greeks and slavery are two opposite things, totally incompatible. The Greek soul can never live enslaved. The Greek blood flows in veins of free people and the cry “liberty or death” keeps always the flame of liberty lit in our hearts.

We, the Greek people, never forget our history or our heroes. In their face and their memory, we honour all those who continue the tradition of our people’s bravery and self-sacrifice across the centuries. Be aware that this country never dies because it had and it will have heroes. Besides, as Theodoros Kolokotronis said: “Our Nation had been crucified before too, but here we are alive”.

Men and Women of the Armed Forces,

Our country is being tested in conditions of financial crisis and, in parallel, due to long lasting conflicts in countries of the Middle East; we have undertaken the heavy and disproportional burden of managing the big migrant and refugees’ flows towards Europe.

Today the migration problem has become the top priority issue for Europe. Not only due to its deeply humanitarian dimension, but for its political significance as well, since, essentially, it brings new data on Europe’s structure and cohesion.

Our country tries to face the current situation, as our long traditions and humanitarian values demand. It gives a hard and multifaceted battle which we ought to manage with strategic sufficiency and perspective.

At this point, I would like, on behalf of the government, to congratulate you and thank you, because the Armed Forces, from the first moment, responded immediately and they still contribute, in the context of their institutional role, to the treatment of the refugees’ problem. Under such difficult circumstances, without sparing any time and labour, along with the implementation of your mission, you accomplished the humanitarian support to refugees with absolute success, having gained the admiration of states and international organizations.

We should not forget, however, that Greece ought to develop all those factors, defence factors, diplomatic and financial factors, in order to apply the necessary policies which will allow it to preserve peace, stability and prosperity of the Greek people and nation over the next years.

With the guidance of the 1821 legacy, with the pride that the historical memory and our duty towards our country nourish, we must face the challenges with determination and give our country the perspective and the strength that it deserves.

As a least homage and respect, let us bow low to the immortal dead of the 1821 combats and let us all remember the verse of the poet who wrote: “FREEDOM REQUIRES VIRTUE AND BOLDNESS”.          
      
I am absolutely sure that, with God and Virgin Mary’s help, we will keep our flags high, as our ancestors did, and we will defend them according to the oath that we gave our country, that is “with faith and devotion, to our last drop of blood”.
    
Long live the 25th of March.
Long live the Hellenic Armed Forces.
Long live the Nation.

                                                                                                                                                                                       The Minister of National Defence
                                         

                                                                                                                                                                                                  Panos Kammenos