Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Militiamen and Civilian Employees,
We are honoring today the anniversary of 28 October 1940, which constitutes a landmark of glory for our Country. It forms an integral part of national collective memory; it is a day of honor for the unknown and known fallen in action and constitutes a reference point in our contemporary history.
On 28 October 1940, the burning and eternal flame of love of the Hellenes for freedom and the loyalty to the Nation’s everlasting and unaltered ideals echoed across the high-mountains on the borders, the seas and the airs. The 1940 epic was written in indelible letters and the “OHI” (“NO”) to fascism highlighted once again in our very long history the greatness and the pride of the immortal Greek soul.
The first cowardly act of Mussolini’s fascist regime, the sinking of “Elli” cruiser in the port Tinos, on the day when the Greek people were respectfully honoring our Blessed Virgin, foreshadowed the forthcoming declaration of war.
Against all common sense as usual, the Hellenes proved to humanity that the power does not belong to the many, but to those who defend the holy of holies. The battle of 1940 became the cause of the famous quote “Hellenes do not Fight like Heroes; Heroes fight like Hellenes”, while the governments and the people of the free world were glorifying the victories of the Hellenes with praises and encomiums.
New pages of glory were written on land, at sea and in the air. The red soil of Northern Epirus with our Army’s blood and the actions of the Navy and the Air Force are the irrefutable witness of the heroism that henceforward nurtures the generations of Hellenes to come. Thus, we respectfully bent the knee each year to those, who lost their lives during the 1940 epic, not only because they proved themselves to be worthy descendants of our glorious fathers, but because they sacrificed themselves, so that we would be able to enjoy today freedom with all its privileges. Their sacrifice remains unchanged over the years and their battle is the legacy that guides us, like a compass, along the paths of our Nation’s history. After 78 years, our State managed to fulfill its duty to the heroes and their families. By now, 673 Greek soldiers that lost their lives fighting in the mountains of Northern Epirus have been vindicated and rest in peace at the cemeteries in Kleisoura and Vouliarates village in Albania.
Men and Women of the Armed Forces,
Today, we are not just honoring another page of our historical legacy. Today is the chance, showing respect for historical memory, to learn the necessary lessons that illuminate us as a beacon, in order to continue our historical destiny, the path of duty and commitment to the achievement of our common objectives. Because we should never forget that a people without memory is a people without future.
It is an obligation for us to forge national unity and solidarity; to preserve our traditional timeless values and ideals and to do our duty, as a moral obligation towards all those that we are honoring today.
We are living in a world with changing situations, unforeseeable circumstances and new facts. Greece, being a pillar of stability in the Northeastern Mediterranean Sea, contributes to the promotion of cooperation between neighboring countries and seeks peace and to consolidate democracy and security in the wider region. Unfortunately, though, not all countries share the above values and for this reason, we oppose with determination to all those who are questioning our national sovereignty. We make clear to friends and enemies that we are not giving anything away on land, at sea and in the air and that if required, we will be at the forefront of our Nation, ready to forcefully express a new “NO”.
As a Nation, we never forget and we are standing shoulder to shoulder with Cyprus. Our Cyprus is still fighting against the incursion into its territory by “Attila”, being challenged whenever it exercises its sovereignty rights in conformity with International Law within its Exclusive Economic Zone.
Men and Women of the Armed Forces,
Our powerful Armed Forces are the diplomatic and defence force multiplier and the guarantor of our Country’s independence. You carry out your noble and demanding duty, bringing to the fore your power, your discipline, your level of training and your morale. You have become established in the mind of the Greek people and we are honoring you, because you struggle daily in a spirit of self-denial and pure patriotism to defend our national sovereignty rights.
The members of the Armed Forces are in the front line in our Government’s priorities and as I promised since the first moment I assumed my duties as Minister of National Defence, the restoration of the unfair wage cuts that you have suffered is put into effect, since it is paramount to you and your families that support you in many ways.
Keep meeting Greek people’s expectations, so that we would all together build the future of our Country with optimism, determination and a sense of responsibility, especially now that we managed to come out from the difficult financial period with the sacrifices of the Greek people.
With God’s help and under the protection of Theotokos, Invincible Champion, we should always be proud and we should remember that we owe a lot to those who fought for the Country in 1940 and we should stand for freedom and democracy for our children and the generations of the Hellenes to come.
Long live the Nation
Long live the Armed Forces
Long live the 28 October 1940.
