She Lived a Hero and Died a Hero

Szöveg: hm.gov.hu | 2010. augusztus 31. 15:25

Posthumous Second Lieutenant Judit Ábrahám Pappné – a servicewoman who had died a hero’s death in Afghanistan on August 23 – was buried in her native village Alacska, Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County in the afternoon of August 30. Col. Zsolt Sándor, the Commanding Officer of the HDF 25th Klapka György Infantry Brigade of Tata commemorated the deceased female soldier at the funeral.

In addition to family members and friends, virtually all residents of the village as well as the leaders of the Ministry of Defence and the Hungarian Defence Forcest attended the funeral. The representatives of each HDF unit were also present at the Alacska Castle Park alongside the troops of the HUN PRT-8 rotation who have already returned home from Afghanistan.

The national anthem was played at the beginning of the funeral ceremony before Col. Zsolt Sándor, the Commanding Officer of the Tata-based HDF 25th Klapka György Infantry Brigade commemorated Judit Ábrahám Pappné.

“Standing in front of this catafalque we are shocked and overcome with deep grief while doing our last duty by saying a last farewell to a disciplined and honest soldier, to our comrade and true friend", this was how the commander started his speech. A young heart has stopped beating when Judit Ábrahám Pappné died a hero’s death. She lived a hero and died a hero when we lost her, as she made the supreme sacrifice by giving her life for her country."

In his speech Col. Zsolt Sándor briefly looked back on the professional career path of the servicewoman killed in action. Judit Ábrahám Pappné joined the army more than eight years ago when she was admitted to the brigade. Through her sincerity, commitment, conscientiousness and humanity she soon became a recognized and respected member of the outfit. She graduated from the infantry branch of the NCO vocational school with excellent results, even outdoing many men, which clearly attests to her physical and mental stamina as well as her desire to act. Thanks to her humanity, informality and professionalism she has been held up as an example to the personnel of the brigade, Col. Sándor said.

Responding to the call of her homeland, she completed her first tour of duty abroad in 2003 in Macedonia, then during 2007 she served in KFOR, Kosovo. In recognition of her exemplary service and professionalism shown in Hungary and abroad, in 2009 she was given an opportunity to enroll on a G1 (personnel) MOS course. There she gave proof of her commitment and outstanding skills again since she completed the course with excellent results, ranking among the best students.

“Together with her husband Lance Sergeant Gábor Papp, in 2010 posthumous Second Lieutenant Judit Ábrahám Pappné undertook the most dangerous and challenging mission of all in ISAF, Afghanistan", Col. Zsolt Sándor went on to say. She was executing her tasks in the area of operations perhaps even more conscientiously and humanely than ever until the very last moment.

“Posthumous Second Lieutenant Judit Ábrahám Pappné did not take the officers’ oath neither drew a sword in Heroes’ Square on August 20 nor said “For the homeland to the death!". Instead, her whole life testifies to her outstanding proficiency and unconditional love of the homeland. Her colleagues recognized her dedication through their respect and love while her superiors with the “For Peacekeeping" Service Medal that she received three times as well as with the State Secretary’s award and the Brigade Commanding Officer’s commendation on four occasions", Col. Zsolt Sándor said, then he concluded his speech by addressing the deceased servicewoman. “Now the time has come to express the last gratitude and say the final farewell to you. Your loving husband, family and relatives are in mourning alongside your commanders and comrades. The entire personnel of the HUN PRT-8, every military unit and command of the Hungarian Defence Forces are bidding the last farewell to you. On behalf of the entire personnel of the HDF 25th Klapka György Infantry Brigade I would like to pay the final tribute to you with the brigade march which is going to be played by the garrison band that you liked so much. Dear Second Lieutenant, Dear Judit! May you rest in peace!"

After the speech and a committal service read by the local minister of the Reformed Church, the leaders of the Ministry of Defence and the Hungarian Defence Forces as well as several hundred soldiers escorted Judit Ábrahám Pappné’s casket to the cemetery of Alacska where the war hero servicewoman was laid to rest.