Children's Day with soldiers

Children's Day with SVK Armed Forces in Lučenec was launched with a fly-past of a military helicopter and a Mikoyan MiG-29 fighter aircraft. As part of the programme, children could see parachute jumps by military parachutists, actions by military policemen in response to an incident, soldiers abseiling from the roof of a building, a demonstration by canine specialists, and musical performances by a military band and the singer Katka Knechtová. Hundreds of visitors were also keen to see a static display of military equipment and weaponry at first hand.

In his remarks in front of the gathered children, Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš underscored that service personnel deliver the defence of the State on a 24/7 basis and are always here for Slovak citizens. He called on parents and teachers to help kids develop their relationship towards homeland defence and guide them in the right direction. “I will be happy if I can, also here today, capture your attention to the extent that one day some of you will decide to join the ranks of our service members or Voluntary Military Training soldiers,” noted the Minister. Chief of Defence Gen Milan Maxim, too, attended the celebrations of Children's Day, and Radovan Baláž, MP for the Slovak National Party, supported the event by being present as well.

Alexandra Pivková, mayor of Lučenec, thanked the Minister of Defence and SVK Armed Forces for organising this year's event in their town. Minister Gajdoš and Gen Maxim, joined by the mayor and other distinguished guests, paid their tribute at the General Milan Rastislav Štefánik Memorial.

Originally announced by the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence and the Editorial Board of Defence Journal, the 16th Painting and Drawing Competition, titled Soldiers through the Eyes of Children, saw its winners take over their prizes during a prize-giving ceremony.