Recognition Of Productive And Devoted Work

On the occasion of the day of accomodation services a ceremonial personnel assembly was held on the Soroksári Road premises of MoD Infrastructural Agency on Saturday.

At the event – attended by Dr. Károly Füredi, MoD State Secretary for defence planning and infrastructure, and Lieutenant General Tibor Benkõ, Commander of HDF Joint Forces Command – the Agency received unit colours from President László Sólyom.

“The unit colours are the recognition of the productive and devoted work of the personnel of the Agency in recent years in the interest of the Hungarian Defence Forces. I wish that the symbol of belonging together strengthened their faith, camaraderie, and encouraged them to continue their excellent work" – President László Sólyom wrote in the document awarding the unit colours.

The unit colours were handed over by Minister of Defence Imre Szekeres in the name of the President to Major General (Eng.) Gábor Csák, CEO of MoD Infrastructural Agency, who also waved the colours in the spirit of military tradition. Following that, the minister tied the ribbon to the top of the flag.

The colours were blessed and sanctified by the representatives of the field chaplain services, Brigadier General Pál Lakner, the Lutheran bishop of the defence forces, and Colonel Tibor Berta, the vicar-general of the Roman Catholic Diocese of the military.

– Today is not only the day of handing over the colours, but it is also the recognition of a serious work. Two years and five months ago, when the Infrastructural Agency was established, all those serving here were given a very serious task and a very serious lesson. The President of the Republic awarded the colours in recognition of this work – Imre Szekeres started his address, adding: the colours handed over by him on behalf of the head of the state, and the ribbon he tied on the colours, are the symbols of the recognition and forging together of the military organization.

The Defence Minister underlined: in 2007, there were significant changes in the life of the Ministry of Defence and the Hungarian Defence Forces, and these changes have also concerned those working in the Soroksári Road building. A more modern, well-organized management organization has been created that is extremely careful with the money of the taxpayers. It was more that a simple name change. Changes in the set of values have led to the creation of a strong, well-organized unit with outstanding capabilities, providing an ever productive service to a strong and well-organized Hungarian Defence Forces.

– I know that the tasks implemented by you are perhaps not really perceptible for an outsider. For the maintenance and operation of properties, guaranteeing the technical requirements necessary for the development and operation of a professional military, may seem less exciting. But as a minister I have experienced that these are among the most essential issues – Imre Szekeres said, also mentioning that the set of tasks carried out by the Agency embrace nearly all areas of life. The minister underlined: until the end of last year, as a part of the barracks reconstruction program 52 enlisted men’s buildings, 14 buildings accommodating unmarried troops, and 22 office buildings were refurbished. As a part of the renovation works, 7,258 places of accomodation and 3,200 dining places were created or refurbished.

The head of the defence portfolio emphasized: in creating the conditions of corps serving far away from the homeland, the Infrastructural Agency has also played a major role.

– The Hungarian Defence Forces have gone through a very substantial change in the last few years. Serious steps have been taken in the development of the professional military. Beyond organizational changes and the uncertainty of some 19 years, the stability created three years ago has laid a new groundwork for quality development and acquiring new capabilities – Imre Szekeres said, also mentioning that society is also aware of the activity of soldiers. They pay attention to it and they recognize it. The work of those serving here has also contributed to national defence becoming a national issue in our country. The achievements of the Hungarian Defence Forces include the work of those serving at the Infrastructural Agency. For maintaining the capabilities and acquiring new capabilites was only possible in cooperation with the personnel of the IA.

In his speech responding to the minister, Maj.Gen. (Eng.) Gábor Csák, CEO of MoD IA thanked for the words of recognition on behalf of the entire personnel of the Agency. He emphasized: hopefully, the thoughts of the speeches will be recalled even after the ceremony has ended, when the personnel working here will have to deal with the supplies and operational requirements of the troops of the Hungarian Defence Forces in their daily job, which is often not free from obstacles. General Csák said that at the current headquarters of the Agency in the Soroksári Road building the organizations belonging to the service have been operating for nearly forty years.

– It is an honour to receive unit colours and it is an uplifting experience to greet the personnel as a unit. Yes, as a unit, even though our Agency is officially presented as a background institution of the ministry in the activity of the Hungarian Defence Forces. But for the Agency, the strong ties with the Hungarian Defence Forces and the units has always been important and will continue to be important in the future, for the core function of our service is supplying the personnel and providing the necessary infrastructure for military assignments – said Maj.Gen. Csák.

The ceremony ended with Defence Minister Imre Szekeres, State Secretary Károly Füredi, and Maj.Gen. Gábor Csák presenting recognitions and awards to the personnel.