Dual Ceremony in KFOR

The 16th rotation of the HDF KFOR Contingent will soon complete its tour in Kosovo. In recognition of the tasks accomplished during their service abroad, the Hungarian peacekeepers were recently presented with NATO medals in a ceremony. This international military decoration is awarded to soldiers for their service under national command in support of NATO-led operations in the Balkans Joint Operational Area.

Besides the commanders and national representatives of KFOR units, DCOM KFOR Brig.-Gen. Christian Riener and Tamás Gergely, Commercial Attaché at the Embassy of Hungary in Kosovo also honored the medal parade with their presence.

Speaking at the ceremonial staff meeting held on the occasion of 20 August, SFC Béla Bakos emphasized King St. Stephen I’s state-organizing work and the connectedness of the Hungarian Defence Forces with the holiday. “As a member of NATO and the European Union, the Hungarian Defence Forces have been undertaking an important mission for years. We have undertaken to help other nations with peacekeeping activities, just like we are doing it here and now in Kosovo. 20 August is a special holiday in the life of the Hungarian Defence Forces and the Hungarian military officers’ lives. They take an oath in which they swear that they will be prepared to sacrifice their lives to defend their country. Therefore, for the Hungarian armed forces, this day is the celebration of the military vocation and patriotism too", he said.

Following the speeches at the ceremony, Catholic military chaplain Lt. Kornél Horváth consecrated the new bread and said a prayer, asking God to bless the holiday and the Hungarian soldiers.

During the ceremony, Contingent Commander Lt.-Col. Attila Budai presented several soldiers with tokens of appreciation for their outstanding performance and put the new rank insignias on the promoted personnel’s uniforms.

Photos by the author and PV2 Ákos Szemenyei