Encouraging The Young, Thanking The Heroes

The 20 August cental state celebration started on Wednesday in Budapest’s Kossuth Square with the solemn hoisting of the flag of the Republic of Hungary in the presence of dignitaries. President László Sólyom, Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány, Ms Katalin Szili, Speaker of the Parliament, furthermore Péter Paczolay, President of the Constitutional Court, Bertalan Kaposvári, Vice-President and acting President of the Supreme Court, Zoltán Lomnici, former President of the Supreme Court, and General András Havril, Chief of Defence Staff of the Ministry of Defence have attended the event and military tribute. This year, 108 persons have been commissioned officers and given the rank of lieutenant: of them 75 students graduated from ‘Lajos Kossuth’ Faculty of Military Science, and 33 students finished their studies at ‘János Bolyai’ Faculty of Military Engineering. A particular delight, that among the young people taking oath, there were 23 ladies in Heroes’ Square this morning.

Prior to the solemn oath of the officers, from 8.45 military bands entertained all those interested, who were going down Andrássy Road and heading towards Heroes’ Square in great numbers. In the square, first military, then police officers recited the words of their oath; following this, the two young officers who pre-read the oath, handed over the register of names of the oath undersigned by their fellow officers, to László Sólyom, the President of the Republic, as a special momentum of the commissioning celebration. A new feature to the event was that on behalf of the freshly commissioned officers, the representatives of students from both corps have laid a wreath on the Memorial Stone of Hungarian Heroes, paying tribute to their predecessors who sacrificed their lives for the country.

“I wish to use this festive occasion to thank the Hungarian Defence Forces for their services, for performing their duties. On behalf of the whole nation I thank all soldiers for their service to their country, to Europe, for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization," said Defence Minister Imre Szekeres in his address. The politician stated in front of 59 young military and 49 police officers: our country is protected by well-trained, prepared officers and non-commissioned officers, who implement tasks jointly with our allies, and the Hungarian Defence Forces are led by generals who have earned a great respect for Hungarian soldiers both at home and abroad.

 

"Troops in the HDF are prepared to, and capable of meeting new challenges. They have high ambitions and they have strong resolve," highlighted Imre Szekeres, who also commemorated Gyula Kovács and Krisztián Nemes, who deceased on the Afghanistan mission. The Minister noted that as of September, Hungarian troops will have an important role in the Balkans as well, since they will take over the command of one of the multinational battalions in Kosovo.

"I Used To Drive This Too"

All those present had an opportunity to take a look at a part of the technical arsenal of the HDF before, after, and during the celebration: in the static exhibition at Heroes’ Square, one could wander among combat vehicles, military ATVs, moreover a SZT-68 U locator station and a water purification equipment. But without doubt, the most spectacular item on display was the Atlas rocket-launcher, from which Mistral-2 rockets can be launched.

It is not surprising that combat devices made the children euphoric in the first place, who turned up in large numbers: parents could hardly follow the small ones who were running up and down the vehicles, but at the same time, the eyes of the fathers sparkled as well, whenever they were near the machines. "I used to drive this too," points a father at the BTR-80, and does not conceal how proud he is when his child looks at him in awe, with an open mouth.

We also learn that enthusiasm is not gender-dependent: "Mommy, let’s buy a car like this!," shouts a little girl beside a military-coloured Mercedes jeep. Who knows, perhaps in 20 years’ time she, too, will be standing among the commissioned officers. In order to be able to cope with the heat, the soldiers distribute water in plastic bags among all those present, who can follow what is happening on the projectors as well.

 

Naturally, we did not miss the dynamic display at the end of the commissioning ceremony: in the spirit of the tradition started last year, aircraft flew in formation over the square this year as well. In the scope of the display, first three Mi-24 helicopters, then an AN-26 transport aircraft accompanied by two L-39 aircraft crossed the sky above the crowd. Following that, two MiG-29s appeared beside another AN-26, and visitors had an opportunity to admire the pride of the defence forces – a trio of JAS-39 Gripen fighters.

As the popular saying goes: "Next year, with you – and some more -, the same place!"