Veterans Day: Jaroslav Naď joins the Run in Honour of War Veterans, with a record number of runners turning up this year

To mark Veterans Day, a record number of runners turned up at the start line for the Run in Honour of War Veterans in Bratislava's Petržalka. This year's running event attracted 253 racers – soldiers in full field kit – including service personnel of the NATO Multinational Battlegroup Slovakia, officer cadets of the General M. R. Štefánik Armed Forces Academy, sportspeople of the DUKLA Military Sports Centre Banská Bystrica led by DUKLA Director Lt Col Matej Tóth, members of the public, and Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď. The participants joined the annual race to pay homage to all veterans who are at the heart of today's commemorative events.

On the crack of the starting pistol fired at 11.11 by WW2 veteran Lt (Ret'd) Branislav Tvarožek, all runners were off on their 5.2km route. It was at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 that the cessation of hostilities took effect after the last salvo was fired at the signing of the Armistice ending World War I earlier that morning at Compiègne, France. Armistice Day was later renamed Veterans Day in the United States, and is known as Remembrance Day in the Commonwealth of Nations.

Addressing the running audience at the Run in Honour of War Veterans, Jaroslav Naď said: “The losses incurred in combat during World War I and other conflicts are a scar on mankind that reminds us that peace is not a matter of course. All the brave men and women who defended or are defending the principles of freedom and democracy are deserving of our recognition, thanks and respect.” Jaroslav Naď thanked the racers, with a red poppy pinned to their chest, for taking part in the event.

Earlier that day at 10:00hrs, the official Veterans Day commemoration in remembrance of all living and deceased veterans and war dead took place at Petržalka - Kopčany WW1 Cemetery in Bratislava, with Secretary General of the MOD Service Office Peter Kozák representing the Slovak Ministry of Defence.

Thanking WW1 and WW2 veterans, contemporary veterans – those who have served on UN, EU and NATO missions and operations, and the men and women of the Armed Forces for what they have done for Slovakia and the peaceful life of our people, Secretary General of the MOD Service Office Peter Kozák said: “Today, with pride in our hearts, let us dedicate a silent tribute to all those who, caught in the whirl of two world wars and other conflicts, lost what is ultimately most precious – their lives.”

Later this evening, between 18:00-22:00hrs, red poppies – as a symbol of remembrance – will be projected onto Bratislava Castle.