48 Young Lieutenants Sworn In

Since 2007, the August 20 passing out ceremony has been held on Heroes’ Square instead of Kossuth Square, the former venue, and based on the experiences to date we can certainly say that the idea is working. This year thousands came again to see the spectacular event, the passing out ceremony of 48 newly graduated young students of Zrínyi Miklós University of National Defence during which they were sworn in as military officers and promoted to lieutenants. From the young students taking an oath 26 graduated from Kossuth Lajos Faculty of Military Science and 22 from Bolyai János Faculty of Military Engineering. In addition to dignitaries, members of the Parliament, and the senior officials of political parties, social organizations and churches, a number of diplomats accredited to Hungary also attended the ceremony.

A celebration for every Hungarian

After the ceremonial unit marched in, the ceremony began with the march of the historic flags, then following the national anthem, László Sólyom, the President of the Republic of Hungary delivered an address. "Saint Stephen’s day is a celebration for every Hungarian, in the Carpathian Basin and all over the world. The example of Saint Stephen is very timely today in two respect: one is the relation of the Hungarian state and the Hungarian nation, and the other is how King Stephen had succeeded in directing Hungarians onto a new road and renewing them" – said the head of the state, who also called attention to the fact that the borders of the Hungarian state and that of the Hungarian people never coincided: on the one hand, other nations have always been parts of the Hungarian state from the beginning, and a part of the Hungarian people – sometimes the majority of them – lived outside the borders of the state. "The state border, however, never broke the unity of the Hungarian nation, this nation that belongs together and is uniform in its language, culture, history, and sense of identity; we talk about the Hungarian nation in the cultural sense regardless of citizenship and country of residence" – said the president, who emphasized: to preserve, increase, and strengthen the unity of this Hungarian nation is our obligation deriving from the heritage of Saint Stephen. "I wish the neighbouring young nation states heard and followed King Stephen’s admonition about the multilingual and multicultural state" – said László Sólyom in the opinion of whom until this happens, Hungary has to utilize every minority protecting means provided by the bilateral relations and the international law "in the interest of our fellow nations and ourselves. Instead of being only passive users, we could also be the formers of international defence possibilities, moreover, due to our situation, we have to be the latter" – pointed out the head of the state.

According to László Sólyom, Hungary has every reason to urge the European Union to put the issue of indigenous national minorities on the agenda, and the coming EU presidency term will also have to be used for that. The president specifically mentioned that a change must happen in Hungary as well as regards the relation of the majority and the Roma people, and both parties have obligations and a lot to do for integration.

Following the address of the head of the state, the young military officers took the oath – read aloud by 2nd Lieutenant Roland Rábel –, then the defence minister greeted the newly commissioned troops.

Setting an example at home and abroad

"National defence is a national cause, it is also reflected by the fact that the young officers who have successfully graduated from Zrínyi Miklós University of National Defence take their officers’ oath in public" – underlined Defence Minister Dr. Imre Szekeres. "It is a constitutional obligation of the Hungarian Defence Forces to protect the independence, territorial integrity, airspace, population, and material assets of the country against an external armed attack, and the defence forces fulfil this obligation relying on their own resources and counting on the allies. In addition to that, the Hungarian Defence Forces also participate in the reconstruction in the aftermath of disasters and extreme weather conditions, and in the spirit of solidarity, as peacekeepers they help shaping the freedom and the democratic future of other nations" – the head of the portfolio listed the responsibilities of the military.

“The Hungarian Defence Forces are one of the most popular and most successful national institutions. Successful, because they are leading in the use of advanced technologies and international cooperation. They are leading in societal tolerance, in guaranteeing equal opportunities. They set an example in patriotic education and preserving the traditions, while they constantly develop their military capabilities and as a member of the international community, they take a share in establishing global security in our world. Moreover, they also operate successful educational and health care institutions that provide quality care for servicemen and other citizens as well. A case in point is our Honvéd Hospital, the excellent physicians of which have saved the life Felipe Massa" – emphasized the minister. Imre Szekeres reminded the audience: the Hungarian Defence Forces sets an example in both the NATO and the European Union. "As an initiator and a host, we played a great part in the creation of the Strategic Airlift program the first giant airplane of which is already on duty in Pápa, carrying out tasks for 12 countries."

The defence minister said that even though at the moment Hungary is not threatened by the danger of an armed attack in the traditional sense, we also have to face new types of threats such as terrorism, crises affecting the entire planet, the boycott of energy supply or the destruction of IT systems. The minister thanked our peacekeepers serving their country and the Alliance, who are on duty abroad for the security of the Republic of Hungary. “From our missions, the Afghanistan assigment is still a distinguished one. The presidential election and the provincial municipal elections are being held today in Afghanistan. This is a determining event as regards the future of Afghanistan. For the sake of the security of the elections, the Hungarian Defence Forces have also strengthened their contingent in the country" – said the minister, who also mentioned the Balkans briefly, for most of our troops still serve there. "The stability of the Balkans will continue to be one of the most important Hungarian national interests. We hope that the peace and the stability we are serving will also bring the rise of our neighbours, the nations in the Balkans" – said Imre Szekeres.

The minister also mentioned in his address that the main attractive force of Zrínyi Miklós University of National Defence lays in high professional standards and the love of the profession. “It is a good indicator of the knowledge and diploma earned at the university that proudly preserves and fosters the traditions and values of national officer training, that the number of applicants has risen again this year. In 2009, there have been several times as many applicants for certain majors as there are places available" – reminded the minister.

“We have highly qualified, well-prepared, excellent soldiers. They are people who have earned and continue to earn recognition for the defence forces and the Republic of Hungary at home and abroad alike. After having worked together with you for three years I can say from the bottom of my heart: thank you for your courage, perseverance, self-sacrifice. Now the name ’Hungarian Defence Forces’ means – and will always mean – a lot more to me than just two words" – Imre Szekeres closed his speech, also wishing the young officers productive, successful work and good health.

Static and dynamic display

When the ceremony finished, the helicopters and the airplanes of the Joint Forces Command of the Hungarian Defence Forces flew by above Heroes’ Square at an altitude of 150-220 meters. First a Mi–8 and two Mi–24 combat helicopters, then an AN–26 transport airplane and two L–39 (Albatros) aircraft, followed by another AN–26 and two MiG–29 fighters. For the MiGs this was the final public flight, the type said goodbye to the audience at this year’s passing out ceremony. In the fourth formation there were three JAS–39 Gripen fighters that also closed the air display. Those who came to see the event could also take a closer look at the combat vehicles lined up in front of the Museum of Fine Arts, on the left side of the square.