Decorations On Home Defence Day

The minister said in his address that on 21 May, 1849, the army recaptured the Castle of Buda after three weeks of siege. "We commemorate this act of military history year after year, but on this day we also pay tribute to the soldiers of our days in the 21st century. For Hungarian soldiers it is uplifting to see the Hungarian flag on the 21st of May. 1848 founded a modern nation, 1849 taught us self-defence, and today’s Hungarian Defence Forces deepen international cooperation. This self-defence was led by the army – made up of enthusiastic young, teenage recruits and valiant, experienced former imperial soldiers – an army that proved itself when it was necessary," emphasised the minister.

Imre Szekeres said back then politicians and ordinary people, civilians and the military, religious and lay philosophers, farmers and townsmen, Hungarians and non-Hungarians had decided to take up arms and unite their forces. "Of course, the threats of today are different than the ones people had one and a half centuries ago. In the 21st century Europe, there is no threat of a traditional war against Hungary but the emergence of new types of security challenges is still a serious issue. Therefore the most important element of guaranteeing security is Your, the troops’ and civilians’ good performance. The defence forces are the most important instrument of the foreign and defence policy of the Republic of Hungary. We are on duty in 14 countries on three continents, we deploy more than ten per cent of our ground forces to peacekeeping and crisis management tasks. It is almost a regiment that protects our interests, the interests of Europe, and the North Atlantic," Imre Szekeres added.

In his address the minister also highlighted the changes taking place in the Hungarian Defence Forces in recent years. "We have been developing, modernising, building capabilities. We have strengthened the social recognition of the Hungarian Defence Forces, the prestige of military profession, career. We have tried to cooperate with society in as many areas as possible. We were looking for partners and we have found partners, we have been cooperating and others have been cooperating with us. Together with the parties in parliament, we have reached an almost unprecedented consensus in the process of decision making in military issues," said Imre Szekeres, adding that "the unacceptable behaviour of a few erring soldiers" does not cast a shadow on the defence forces, their soldiers, civil and public servants.

The minister underlined that the Hungarian Defence Forces have been renewed, for a modern military has been established which is responsible for the protection of the homeland and also capable of carrying out NATO tasks professionally. Imre Szekeres said the 21st of May is a tribute to soldiers and military traditions but it is not the celebration of only one profession, for everyone, every Hungarian living in this country or beyond the borders feels that this celebration is also their own. “The cause of national defence that connects all of us is a link that has helped and will help us to get over the difficulties," the minister closed his speech, then congratulated those who received recognitions: retired Major General (eng.) János Isaszegi, Major General (eng.) Dr. László Lakatos, and Major General Zoltán Orosz received the Hunyadi János Award; for his outstandingly productive activity in strengthening international military relations, State Secretary József Bali received the Andrássy Gyula Award. The Hadik András, Jósika Miklós, and Mednyánszky László Awards as well as the golden, silver and bronze Service Signs for Merit, and the 1st, 2nd, 3rd class Title of Merit ’For Defence’, the golden, silver and bronze Title of Merit ’Golden Age’, and other prizes were also presented at the ceremony.

On the occasion of 21 May, twenty soldiers received Title of Merit ‘Soldier of the Year’. “I was surprised when I heard the news that I would also receive the title because I only did my job," told us Lieutenant Colonel (eng.) Zoltán Csõke (Development and Logistic Agency), one of the decorated soldiers. Like he said he is responsible for supply for aircraft, providing services for Gripens, and the so-called control, supervision of the Swedish-Hungarian lease agreement, among others. “The award reflects great credit on us but it also sets a requirement as regards the future since I will have to do a job I can be proud of even in later years," he added.

Among those who have been awarded the Soldier of the Year title there are also a few ladies, for example Captain Ibolya Kolozsiné Turcsán, the non-commissioned officer of the HDF Hazardous Material Supply Centre. “My job is very interesting, there are many challenges, I like it very much: my duties include planning and organisation, drawing up workplans, logistic supply plans. It is good to be a servicewoman in Pusztavacs – there are approximately thirty women in the Pusztavacs centre" told us the captain. “This award is a great honour, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank my commanders again for having thought of me. I think every soldier is waiting for this moment, to hold a decoration in their hands," she added.

At the special personnel assembly General (eng.) László Tömböl, Chief of Defence Staff, Hungarian Defence Forces proposed a toast and said that Home Defence Day is the day of all those who serve the cause of Hungarian national defence. “Since 1992, we have been paying tribute to the cause of Hungarian national defence on this day; we have been calling the attention of society to the defence forces on this day for 18 years. We show them who we are and what the tasks we have to carry out for the Republic of Hungary are," said the general, who also mentioned international exercise Clever Ferret, due to begin next week. General Tömböl continued: “On 21 May, 1849, the Hungarian colours were waving on the Buda Castle. Among the fighting troops there were soldiers whose native language was not Hungarian, and our foreign comrades were fighting in the lines of the Hungarian army, they took up arms and risked their lives for the independence of the Hungarian nation. The message of this day is that it is our duty to serve the freedom and peace of other nations as well. We know that with this we also serve the interests of the Republic of Hungary wherever it is necessary. Today, in the peacekeeping operations of the 21st century our soldiers do their best to meet the requirements." Gen. Tömböl also called attention to our troops serving in Afghanistan and other missions. “They are on a dangerous mission and their help is very much appreciated by Afghan forces that actually want to do something for peace.“ Finally, the general addressed soldiers who have been awarded the Soldier of the Year title and said: “This decoration is a true reflection of the good work the soldiers have done in the previous year, which deserves our recognition."