SVK Armed Forces Day: Servicemen and servicewomen celebrate their biggest feast of the year
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- Date: 22.09.2021
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To mark Slovak Armed Forces Day, servicemen and servicewomen along with MOD and Armed Forces leaders gathered for a solemn ceremony in front of the MOD Main Building and on the parade grounds at all military units across Slovakia.
Speaking in front of an audience of men and women in uniform at the MOD, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “Traditionally, 22 September celebrates the dedicated service of our servicemen and servicewomen to our country which, once the orders are given, does not recognise „no“ as an answer. Whether it be protecting our country, helping our citizens affected by a natural disaster or a pandemic, or assisting in situations where the lives and health of our citizens are at stake, including dangerous evacuation operations from a country controlled by terrorists and extremists. I am immensely grateful to our soldiers for their work and service through which they demonstrate that the Slovak Armed Forces are an irreplaceable element in delivering the security of the State.” Mr Naď remembered to give thanks to all members of the Slovak Armed Forces who died in the line of duty.
On Slovak Armed Forces Day, which is observed on 22 September, it is a tradition to promote military personnel for their excellent achievements and work results, often over and above the official working hours. Today, eight service personnel have been promoted to higher ranks, 16 soldiers have been awarded a medal by the Minister of Defence, and 221 soldiers from across the entirety of the Slovak Armed Forces have been awarded a medal by the Chief of Defence.
Also today, the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence have recognised 16 soldiers of the National Movement Coordination Centre (NMCC), the Defence Staff (DS), the Slovak Air Force (SAF) and the Special Operations Forces (SOF) for their humanitarian assistance role in the successful second evacuation of people from Afghanistan. Members of the Strategic Planning Branch at the SVK Defence Staff have received formal recognition for their work as well.
After giving his assessment of the performance of the Slovak Armed Forces, the head of the MOD pointed to another aspect of their service, saying: “Speaking from the Defence Minister's perspective after chatting with soldiers on numerous occasions, besides their performance I perceive their conditions – I am aware of the shortcomings with which we have been grappling for over a year and a half now. Also, I have spoken out about the issue of outdated equipment, inadequate weaponry and military clothing, and poor infrastructure. Nevertheless, I believe our servicemen and servicewomen can see our continued efforts to improve their working conditions, consider, for example, the military warehouses where the situation might not be ideal, but it is definitely much better than a year ago.”
In his remarks to gathered military personnel, Chief of Defence Gen Daniel Zmeko said: “We have been through two years of hard fighting against the pandemic and this fight has been far from easy. In doing so, we have employed the cleverness and learning of our staffs and leaders in conducting serious operations and we have deployed our people to perform tasks which are far beyond the duties they have been trained for. We have done so patiently, orderly, perseveringly and tenaciously, without any expectation to get remuneration or any other profit for our service. And we are committed to continuing to do so.”
Today's Slovak Armed Forces Day celebrations also featured a commemorative event at the Memorial dedicated to Hurban-led battles during the Slovak Uprising of 1848/1849 in Brezová pod Bradlom, where Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď and Chief of Defence Gen Daniel Zmeko paused to remember the acts of heroism and battle successes of the Slovak Volunteers as the forerunners of today's fully professional Slovak Armed Forces. Due to the pandemic restrictions, members of the public were not permitted to attend for the second time in a row.
Speaking in front of an audience of men and women in uniform at the MOD, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “Traditionally, 22 September celebrates the dedicated service of our servicemen and servicewomen to our country which, once the orders are given, does not recognise „no“ as an answer. Whether it be protecting our country, helping our citizens affected by a natural disaster or a pandemic, or assisting in situations where the lives and health of our citizens are at stake, including dangerous evacuation operations from a country controlled by terrorists and extremists. I am immensely grateful to our soldiers for their work and service through which they demonstrate that the Slovak Armed Forces are an irreplaceable element in delivering the security of the State.” Mr Naď remembered to give thanks to all members of the Slovak Armed Forces who died in the line of duty.
On Slovak Armed Forces Day, which is observed on 22 September, it is a tradition to promote military personnel for their excellent achievements and work results, often over and above the official working hours. Today, eight service personnel have been promoted to higher ranks, 16 soldiers have been awarded a medal by the Minister of Defence, and 221 soldiers from across the entirety of the Slovak Armed Forces have been awarded a medal by the Chief of Defence.
Also today, the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence have recognised 16 soldiers of the National Movement Coordination Centre (NMCC), the Defence Staff (DS), the Slovak Air Force (SAF) and the Special Operations Forces (SOF) for their humanitarian assistance role in the successful second evacuation of people from Afghanistan. Members of the Strategic Planning Branch at the SVK Defence Staff have received formal recognition for their work as well.
After giving his assessment of the performance of the Slovak Armed Forces, the head of the MOD pointed to another aspect of their service, saying: “Speaking from the Defence Minister's perspective after chatting with soldiers on numerous occasions, besides their performance I perceive their conditions – I am aware of the shortcomings with which we have been grappling for over a year and a half now. Also, I have spoken out about the issue of outdated equipment, inadequate weaponry and military clothing, and poor infrastructure. Nevertheless, I believe our servicemen and servicewomen can see our continued efforts to improve their working conditions, consider, for example, the military warehouses where the situation might not be ideal, but it is definitely much better than a year ago.”
In his remarks to gathered military personnel, Chief of Defence Gen Daniel Zmeko said: “We have been through two years of hard fighting against the pandemic and this fight has been far from easy. In doing so, we have employed the cleverness and learning of our staffs and leaders in conducting serious operations and we have deployed our people to perform tasks which are far beyond the duties they have been trained for. We have done so patiently, orderly, perseveringly and tenaciously, without any expectation to get remuneration or any other profit for our service. And we are committed to continuing to do so.”
Today's Slovak Armed Forces Day celebrations also featured a commemorative event at the Memorial dedicated to Hurban-led battles during the Slovak Uprising of 1848/1849 in Brezová pod Bradlom, where Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď and Chief of Defence Gen Daniel Zmeko paused to remember the acts of heroism and battle successes of the Slovak Volunteers as the forerunners of today's fully professional Slovak Armed Forces. Due to the pandemic restrictions, members of the public were not permitted to attend for the second time in a row.
