Commemorating veterans

Miloš Koterec, State Secretary of the SVK Ministry of Defence, took part in the ceremony of the unveiling of a memorial plaque in honour of Czechoslovak war veterans who fought for the liberation of Europe in the British Royal Air Force (RAF) during World War II. The plaque in honour of fallen aviators was donated by the British community. The commemoration ceremony at Milan Rastislav Štefánik Square was accompanied by the performance of the Royal Air Force Central Band. A historic fighter aircraft Spitfire, marked with the initials of a Slovak hero Otto Smik, flew over those present at the ceremony. The plaque was unveiled by Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, Vice Chief of the Defence Staff. "Five Czechoslovak air units flew with the British Royal Air Force. Almost three hundred Slovaks served with these and other RAF squadrons. It was not only courage and confidence that were important in their success against the enemy, but also mutual cooperation," stated State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Miloš Koterec at the commemoration ceremony.