Defence Minister Naď awards commemorative medals to SNP heroes and soldiers dismissed from Service during the Normalisation period in Czechoslovakia
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- Date: 15.03.2022
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At a medal presentation ceremony at the Ministry of Defence today (15 March 2022), Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď presented the personalities who made outstanding contributions to safeguarding the values of freedom and democracy with commemorative medals – the Slovak National Uprising and End of WW2 75th Anniversary Commemorative Medal and the Minister of Defence of the Slovak Republic Commemorative Medal.
Among those decorated were several distinguished personalities of the Slovak National Uprising (SNP) in WW2 and members of the Slovak Military Renewal Association. In addition, Minister Naď awarded commemorative medals to selected individuals for writing and publishing military books, promoting military history, and raising awareness of the SNP fighters.
Speaking at the medal presentation ceremony, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “Never ever should we forget the Slovak National Uprising heroes who, thanks to their courage, have given what is most precious to us – the opportunity to live in peace and freedom. The events of these days point to the fragility of these ideals which our predecessors defended, with some even making the ultimate sacrifice.”
As far as the Slovak Military Renewal Association is concerned, these are the ex-service personnel and civilian employees in Defence who were dismissed from Service or employment on political grounds during the Normalisation period (1968-1989) in Czechoslovakia, Defence Minister Naď reminded.
He went on to say: “A parallel could be drawn between the Warsaw Pact’s invasion of our territory and what our Ukrainian neighbours must be facing these days. Nevertheless, even all those who may not have put up resistance to the occupiers with arms in their hands, but did not hesitate then, and do not now, to take firm personal and civil stances deserve our respect and recognition.”
A total of 17 commemorative medals were presented at the ceremony. Of the four medals for the SNP fighters, three were awarded posthumously as ‘In Memoriam’ medals.
Among those decorated were several distinguished personalities of the Slovak National Uprising (SNP) in WW2 and members of the Slovak Military Renewal Association. In addition, Minister Naď awarded commemorative medals to selected individuals for writing and publishing military books, promoting military history, and raising awareness of the SNP fighters.
Speaking at the medal presentation ceremony, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “Never ever should we forget the Slovak National Uprising heroes who, thanks to their courage, have given what is most precious to us – the opportunity to live in peace and freedom. The events of these days point to the fragility of these ideals which our predecessors defended, with some even making the ultimate sacrifice.”
As far as the Slovak Military Renewal Association is concerned, these are the ex-service personnel and civilian employees in Defence who were dismissed from Service or employment on political grounds during the Normalisation period (1968-1989) in Czechoslovakia, Defence Minister Naď reminded.
He went on to say: “A parallel could be drawn between the Warsaw Pact’s invasion of our territory and what our Ukrainian neighbours must be facing these days. Nevertheless, even all those who may not have put up resistance to the occupiers with arms in their hands, but did not hesitate then, and do not now, to take firm personal and civil stances deserve our respect and recognition.”
A total of 17 commemorative medals were presented at the ceremony. Of the four medals for the SNP fighters, three were awarded posthumously as ‘In Memoriam’ medals.
