Memorial March Against Terror
Szöveg: Gábor Kálmánfi | 2013. május 1. 9:16“What happened in Boston can be neither tolerated nor forgiven. No matter what uniform they wear, all soldiers are obliged to prepare for preventing such acts.” – Brig.-Gen. Dr. Gábor Böröndi, the commander of the HDF 5th “Bocskai István” Infantry Brigade stated in Újmajor on April 28. In protest against terror and in the spirit of remembrance, together with the troops of the Ohio National Guard, the brigade organized a memorial march in the military training area.
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In his short speech, Brig.-Gen. Gábor Böröndi said that after the grief “we have to raise our
head" and continue training and preparing against terrorism.
“It is not easy to speak now. Some men pursuing wrong goals have intentionally caused
suffering to many families. We are now paying tribute to the memory of the victims, and then
continue our training together with our American comrades" – the commander of the brigade
said.
In recalling the tragic events that occurred during the Boston marathon, Col. Mark Karas, the
defence attaché of the United States of America pointed out that the improvised explosive
devices had intentionally been designed to cause as much havoc as possible.
“I express my gratitude to Hungary and the Hungarian Defence Forces for the sympathy and
support they have given to the American people and the American soldiers", the colonel said.
Capt. Dr. Ervin Alácsi, the Catholic field chaplain of the brigade said a prayer for the victims’
salvation. As he said, the “targets of terrorism in Boston were universal human values".
At the short ceremony, Brig.-Gen. Gábor Böröndi and Col. Mark Karas laid a wreath by the
memorial wall of the victims.
In answering our question, Col. Mark Karas said that the cooperation and friendship of
Hungarian and American soldiers is exemplary, and they have great teamwork in Afghanistan
too.
“The memorial march is the most beautiful tribute to the victims’ memory I can imagine as a
soldier", the colonel added.
Conversations with US and Hungarian soldiers have revealed that several deep friendships
developed between the troops of the two nations in recent years.
“After the terror attack on September 11, 2001, I saw their ability to think and feel as one
in these tragic periods. Now, after the Boston events, the situation is the same", WO Attila
Mészáros, the intelligence NCO of the 39th Infantry Battalion of the brigade told us.
Around 150 soldiers participated in the close to two-hour memorial march, including the
servicemen of the Ohio National Guard. The US soldiers are currently training together
with the Hungarian troops at the Hódmezővásárhely garrison of the HDF 5th “Bocskai
István" Infantry Brigade for their co-deployment with the Military Advisory Team (MAT) in
Afghanistan.
Photos by the author
