Homecoming Ceremony

Speaking at the homecoming ceremony of the contingent, Gen. Böröndi underlined the significance of peacekeeping in the Balkans. “Safeguarding peace in the Balkans is a mission of primary importance, a priority in Hungary’s security policy. We must maintain a safe and secure environment in the region, and have up-to-date information about the local developments so that we can protect our own country. The world has changed a lot during your deployment with the mission. In addition to the already existing ethnic tensions, the unprecedented flood of migrants presented an unexpected security challenge to Hungary, its neighbours and Europe. The perpetrators of the Paris terrorist attacks – which were carried out during the deployment of the contingent that has now returned home – used weapons originating from Bosnia-Herzegovina. During your deployment, a religious fanatic killed a Serbian and a Bosnian soldier, and it is also a proven fact that extremist Islamists have appeared in the region. Even under these circumstances, you were serving honourably, with determination and by high professional standards, being familiar with the local values. I thank you for your work, we are proud of you.", this was how Gen. Böröndi welcomed the homecoming members of the 150-strong rotation representing 14 military organizations.

In recognition of their outstanding performance in the 17th rotation of the HDF EUFOR Contingent, on the occasion of the end of their military service with the foreign mission, the commander of the HDF Joint Force Command awarded tokens of appreciation to Lt.-Col. Tibor Csaba, Capt. András Marcsingó, Capt. Gábor Nagy, SFC Zsolt Egri and SFC János Zoltán Kakuk. He handed over memorial certificates to Cpl. Norbert Széll and PFC Pál Róbert Meszjarik.

The two-year-old daughter Ottília of SSgt. László Sándor – a soldier serving in Szentes – was one of the youngest participants at the homecoming ceremony. She accompanied her brother Ádám (8) and her mother, a sergeant serving in the Hódmezővásárhely barracks. The children told us that they had received a lot of gifts from their father, who they had contacted only via internet for six months. Ádám was very happy about the Lego, and Ottília about the toy mouse with “whom" she has made friends. Since they met each other, they have always been sleeping together and have been going together to the nursery.

Photos by the author