Heroes deserve our respect
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- Date: 06.10.2016
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SVK Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš and Prime Minister Robert Fico paid their tribute to the heroes of the Carpatho-Dukla Offensive. In attendance at the ceremony were Chief of the General Staff of the SVK Armed Forces Gen Milan Maxim, Deputy Minister of Defence Tomáš Kuchta leading a delegation from the Czech Republic, representatives of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Slovak Republic, officials of the state government, the local government from the Prešov self-governing region, and the district and town of Svidník, as well as representatives of the Slovak Anti-Nazi Combatants' Union, surviving WWII combatants, and local citizens.
This year the Carpatho-Dukla Offensive was commemorated under a new name as Carpatho-Dukla Offensive Heroes Day. 72 years have passed since it occurred. Speaking at the Dukla Memorial, Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš said: “At this place our nation – small in number, still yet great in its spirit – rose up against the Nazi occupation, with massive support provided by troops from the East. It is an indisputable fact of reality that liberation came from there. All combatants deserve to be remembered by us for what they did for us. I am convinced that it is our obligation to preserve the message of this place.”
The Minister of Defence presented the veterans František Orlovský and Juraj Kollárik with awards. Also recognised was a member of the SVK Armed Forces, while a military policeman was exceptionally advanced to the rank of Master Sergeant. “Dušan Križan saved human lives from a burning house. And Peter Očenáš was promoted for his exemplary commitment to service duties and high quality work. I am convinced that they are our contemporary heroes,” explained Peter Gajdoš.
The Minister also took part in wreath-laying ceremonies at the Army General Ludvík Svoboda Statue and the Soviet Army Memorial in Svidník. He also had a tour of the Military History Museum Svidník and visited a lookout tower at Dukla. For the excellent long-time co-operation with the town authorities from Svidník, the Minister awarded a commemorative medal to the mayor of Svidník, Ján Holodňák, emphasising that the medal symbolically belongs to all local citizens.
This year the Carpatho-Dukla Offensive was commemorated under a new name as Carpatho-Dukla Offensive Heroes Day. 72 years have passed since it occurred. Speaking at the Dukla Memorial, Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš said: “At this place our nation – small in number, still yet great in its spirit – rose up against the Nazi occupation, with massive support provided by troops from the East. It is an indisputable fact of reality that liberation came from there. All combatants deserve to be remembered by us for what they did for us. I am convinced that it is our obligation to preserve the message of this place.”
The Minister of Defence presented the veterans František Orlovský and Juraj Kollárik with awards. Also recognised was a member of the SVK Armed Forces, while a military policeman was exceptionally advanced to the rank of Master Sergeant. “Dušan Križan saved human lives from a burning house. And Peter Očenáš was promoted for his exemplary commitment to service duties and high quality work. I am convinced that they are our contemporary heroes,” explained Peter Gajdoš.
The Minister also took part in wreath-laying ceremonies at the Army General Ludvík Svoboda Statue and the Soviet Army Memorial in Svidník. He also had a tour of the Military History Museum Svidník and visited a lookout tower at Dukla. For the excellent long-time co-operation with the town authorities from Svidník, the Minister awarded a commemorative medal to the mayor of Svidník, Ján Holodňák, emphasising that the medal symbolically belongs to all local citizens.
