The Deputy Minister of National Defence Mr Giannis Kefalogiannis attended today, Monday 28 October 2024, the festivities for the National Anniversary of the 28th of October in Chania, representing the President of the Hellenic Government Mr Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Mr Kefalogiannis attended the Doxology (hymn praising God) at the Holy Metropolitan Church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary, officiated by His Eminence the Metropolitan Bishop of Kydonia and Apokoronos Mr Damaskinos, the Memorial Service at the city’s Heroon (Heroes’ Monument) and laid a wreath.
Subsequently, he attended the parade of the Schools of the Primary and Secondary Education, of Higher and Highest Schools, Organisations and Associations, Guides and Scouts, Traditional and other Associations/Organisations with local traditional costumes and the Armed Forces.
After the conclusion of the parade, the Deputy Minister of National Defence made the following statement:
“We pay tribute to all those who gave their lives for Freedom, in 1940, 84 years ago.
Today, the men and the women of the Armed Forces are the guardians of the national independence and of our Homeland’s rights, every single day. They will do their best against any false claim towards our Homeland’s independence.
From our perspective, we are obligated to constantly enhance our Homeland’s force of deterrence, so that we can be ready at any given moment.
Greece constitutes a pillar of peace and stability throughout the region of the South-Eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans. We always stand by the side of International Law and the Law of the Sea and that is the message we want to communicate to anyone who harbours false claims for our national independence.
Many happy returns to the men and women of Greece“.