Service personnel celebrate Armed Forces Day (AFD) and 30 years of Slovak Armed Forces along with members of the public
- Author:
- Photo:
- Date: 22.09.2023
- Share: Zdieľať na Facebook
Slovak servicemen and women, joined by the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces leadership, celebrated Armed Forces Day (AFD) in Brezová pod Bradlom. Slovakia observes Armed Forces Day on the anniversary of Slovak volunteers' victory in the Battle of Brezová pod Bradlom in 1848. To mark this occasion, Defence Minister Martin Sklenár and Chief of Defence Gen Daniel Zmeko presented medals and decorations to the very best soldiers at a medal presentation ceremony.
Thanking all serving and ex-service personnel for their dedicated service to the nation, Defence Minister Martin Sklenár said: “Today is a special celebration for all Service men and women in Slovakia. It is a chance to recognise and give thanks to our Soldiers who serve day in, day out, throughout the year, benefiting the security of Slovakia and its citizens. In recent years, they have demonstrated their professionalism and readiness more than ever before – in the run-up to Russiaʼs military aggression against our neighbour, we had to rise to the challenge of the pandemic and other difficult tasks, including an evacuation from Afghanistan. It is the Armed Forces that have always been and are the mainstay our society can rely on, even in difficult times.”
Due to the unfavourable weather, the official programme of the Armed Forces Day National Event was divided into days. After today's speeches from Defence Minister Martin Sklenár, Chief of Defence Daniel Zmeko, Mayor of Brezová pod Bradlom Jaroslav Ciran, SVK Armed Forces and NATO MN BG SVK military personnel took part in live-action demonstrations and static displays of Army platforms and weaponry.
The AFD programme will continue tomorrow with an ecumenical worship service in Brezová pod Bradlom Evangelical Church before the celebrations are brought to General Štefánik Square in the very heart of the town, with a show from the Slovak Armed Forces Guard of Honour, live music performances from the Slovak Armed Forces Band, and a whole lot more. To conclude the event in the afternoon, Slovak military personnel side by side with NATO MN BG soldiers will stand in formation on General Štefánik Square.
Also scheduled for tomorrow is a commemoration at the Memorial dedicated to Hurban-led battles during the Slovak Uprising of 1848 in Brezová pod Bradlom, where Defence Minister Martin Sklenár will pay tribute to the acts of heroism and victory of the Slovak volunteers – the forebearers of today's fully professional Slovak Armed Forces.
Thanking all serving and ex-service personnel for their dedicated service to the nation, Defence Minister Martin Sklenár said: “Today is a special celebration for all Service men and women in Slovakia. It is a chance to recognise and give thanks to our Soldiers who serve day in, day out, throughout the year, benefiting the security of Slovakia and its citizens. In recent years, they have demonstrated their professionalism and readiness more than ever before – in the run-up to Russiaʼs military aggression against our neighbour, we had to rise to the challenge of the pandemic and other difficult tasks, including an evacuation from Afghanistan. It is the Armed Forces that have always been and are the mainstay our society can rely on, even in difficult times.”
Due to the unfavourable weather, the official programme of the Armed Forces Day National Event was divided into days. After today's speeches from Defence Minister Martin Sklenár, Chief of Defence Daniel Zmeko, Mayor of Brezová pod Bradlom Jaroslav Ciran, SVK Armed Forces and NATO MN BG SVK military personnel took part in live-action demonstrations and static displays of Army platforms and weaponry.
The AFD programme will continue tomorrow with an ecumenical worship service in Brezová pod Bradlom Evangelical Church before the celebrations are brought to General Štefánik Square in the very heart of the town, with a show from the Slovak Armed Forces Guard of Honour, live music performances from the Slovak Armed Forces Band, and a whole lot more. To conclude the event in the afternoon, Slovak military personnel side by side with NATO MN BG soldiers will stand in formation on General Štefánik Square.
Also scheduled for tomorrow is a commemoration at the Memorial dedicated to Hurban-led battles during the Slovak Uprising of 1848 in Brezová pod Bradlom, where Defence Minister Martin Sklenár will pay tribute to the acts of heroism and victory of the Slovak volunteers – the forebearers of today's fully professional Slovak Armed Forces.
