The Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias represented today, Monday 28 October 2024, the Government, at the parade of military and civilian detachments in Thessaloniki on the occasion of the National Anniversary of the 28th of October 1940, before Her Excellency the President of the Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou.
The parade was observed by the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus Vasilis Palmas, the Chief of HNDGS General Dimitrios Choupis, the Chief of the National Guard General Staff Lieutenant General Georgios Tsitsikostas, the General Secretary of the Ministry of National Defence Antonios Ikonomou, the Chief of HAGS Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, the Chief of HNGS Vice-Admiral Dimitrios-Eleftherios Kataras and the Chief of HAFGS Lieutenant General Dimosthenis Grigoriadis.
Previously, Mr Dendias had attended a wreath-laying ceremony by the President of the Republic at the Heroon (Heroes’ Monument) of the C’ Army Corps. After the conclusion of the parade, the Minister of National Defence stated the following:
“Greece celebrates today the Anniversary of the 28th of October 1940. However, anniversaries take meaning, not only through the remembrance of the past, but also when we utilise their lessons to signal the present and the future.
The meaning of the 28th of October 1940 is the inter-temporal decision of the Greek people, of the Greek Nation, of the Greek society, to defend the independence, the sovereignty and its integrity. Moreover, in order to achieve that, we move forward with the greatest reformation in the Hellenic Armed Forces ever conducted in the modern Greek state. That which we have named the “2030 Agenda”.
So that we can acquire the mightiest Armed Forces ever. So that they will be able, in turn, to fill us with pride – like today – and guarantee the great commodity of national independence and national dignity.
Many happy returns. May you always have good health and joy!”
