Laureates of the 25th Military Deed of the Year Awards announced

In their 25th year, the Military Deed of the Year Awards, honouring the extraordinary achievements of those in and close to SVK Defence, saw their laureates announced for the previous year during today's Awards ceremony in the presence of members of the SVK Cabinet, WW2 veterans, military personnel, and supporters of the Slovak Armed Forces at Bratislava Castle's Winter Riding Hall.

Speaking at the Military Deed of the Year Awards Gala Evening, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “Over the 25 years of the existence of the Awards, we have listened to a rich harvest of stories how men and women in uniform have saved human lives and helped people selflessly. These stories have been driven by two momentums that connect them together. The first one is professionalism and readiness – every actor in these stories was ready to act whenever the moment called for it and took the extra step – and thatʼs because he or she was trained to do so as a military professional. The second one is something I call the “spirit of service” – this is not only about what needs to be done, but also about when that something extra needs to be done for an individual, a group or a country. This spirit of service is what connects us all, and I can feel it exists in you, military and civilian alike.”

The Military Deed of the Year Awards fall into four categories – Assistance to the Public, Rescue of Life, A Friend of the Armed Forces, and Service to the Country. Of all the nominees in these categories, the winners were singled out by a panel of judges comprising representatives of the Ministry of Defence, presided over by Commander-in-Chief of the Slovak Armed Forces and President Zuzana Čaputová.

The Assistance to the Public Award went to Pte 1C Miroslav Demeter, of 902 Engineer Battalion Michalovce, who volunteered to support the recovery effort in the aftermath of the devastating tornado in South Moravia for over 40 days during an off-duty period last summer.

Pte 1C Miroslav Demeter said: “Once I saw the extent of the damage and the resultant wave of volunteers and solidarity, I did not hesitate in putting my name forward and I took 40 days of leave to help people in South Moravia. I just got into my car and I drove there. Helping each other is simply a must and, at the same time, a great thing to do.”

Meanwhile, the Friend of the Armed Forces gong, which was presented by Lt (Ret'd) Branislav Tvarožka, a WW2 veteran and a native of Brezová pod Bradlom, went to Brezová pod Bradlom for the town's long-time remarkable efforts to raise awareness of military history and for putting across a positive message about the Slovak Armed Forces to the public.

Collecting the award on behalf of the town, Mayor of Brezová pod Bradlom Jaroslav Ciran said: “The values of freedom, democracy and justice are not a matter of course, and, for me, the Armed Forces are the best guarantee to defend these values. Through events like Slovak Armed Forces Day and acts of remembrance in Brezová pod Bradlom, we, therefore, try to build up a positive image of the Slovak Armed Forces in the public eye. They are truly deserving of recognition.”

In respect of their extraordinary effort, airmen of 46 Wing Kuchyňa and members of 5 Special Forces Regiment Žilina took home the Service to the Country Award for evacuating Slovak citizens and our Afghan aides from Kabul Airport in Afghanistan, under extremely complicated and unpredictable security circumstances.

Chief of Defence Daniel Zmeko said: “I want to thank everyone who took part in the evacuation operation. We gave dozens of people, including children, a new chance to live a normal live in a peaceful country. Our soldiers risked their lives for them. For that, they are deserving of a huge thank you from us.”

Military policeman MSgt Róbert Prôčka won the Rescue of Life Award for helping a person involved in a road traffic accident and another one suffering from a sudden medical indisposition, as well as for his record of blood donations.

MSgt Róbert Prôčka said: “Whoever you help, it will induce euphoria in you. We have very good experts in the Armed Forces who train us how to manage such emergencies professionally.”

At the invitation of Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď, among the attendees were Prime Minister Eduard Heger, Foreign and European Affairs Minister Rastislav Káčer, Health Minister Vladimír Lengvarský, Defence State Secretary Marian Majer, representatives of the Diplomatic Corps, veterans of the uniformed services, men and women of the Slovak Armed Forces, and friends of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces.