P. Gajdoš: 19 January 2006 marks a black day in the history of Slovakia

Victims of the worst air disaster in the history of Slovakia were today commemorated by Defence Minister Peter Gajdoš and his Hungarian counterpart Tibor Benkő, Chief of Defence Gen Daniel Zmeko and other representatives of the SVK MOD and both Armed Forces during a commemorative ceremony on Borsó Hill in the village of Hejce, Hungary. They came to pay their respects to the memory of the Slovak service personnel who died in the crash of the SVK Air Force Antonov AN-24 aircraft returning from KFOR 14 years ago.

Speaking at the commemorative ceremony, Defence Minister Peter Gajdoš said: “Slovakia remembers 19 January 2006 as a black day in its history. 42 families lost their close ones and the rest of us our wonderful colleagues and specialists in their trades.” He continued: “14 years on, it is impossible to come to this place out of habit or because it is our duty, but rather we wish to offer our sincere respects to the heroes who lived up to the words of the military oath.” On this occasion, he thanked the residents of Hejce for fostering a sense of togetherness and taking good care of the places of commemoration.

In his speech, Hungarian Defence Minister Tibor Benkő expressed his deepest sympathy to the next of kin and friends of the departed soldiers from the ranks of the Armed Forces. “All those candles and lanterns burning here today revive the memory of our colleagues. They deployed abroad to help other nations to live in peace and calm and security, for which they are deserving of our respect,“ he said. At the same time, he thanked all those who participated in the rescue effort 14 years ago.

As Chief of Defence Gen Daniel Zmeko said, the 19 January 2006 event is a tragic part of the contemporary history of the Slovak Armed Forces. “I have a personal connection to the soldiers who lost their lives in the accident. Indeed, it is essential that we commemorate this tragedy every year as well as the memory of all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of the Slovak Republic beyond its borders,” he said.

The symbolic 42 oak memorial posts at the crash site on Borsó Hill and the Memorial in the centre of Hejce stand as a permanent reminder of the 42 Slovak soldiers who died in the air disaster on their return from Kosovo.