Staff Meeting on Hungary’s National Day

After the historical flags were brought in, the Minister was received and the national anthem was played before Dr. Csaba Hende started to deliver a ceremonial address in which he pointed to the lasting significance of our national holiday. In his speech, the Defence Minister talked about the former Hungarian People’s Army (HPA) which was tasked to protect the dictatorship of the proletariat rather than the country and to defend internationalism rather than the nation. At the same time, he also underscored the heroic determination of the HPA troops. He also noted that the Hungarian soldiers of that age soon realized the rightness of the insurgents’ and freedom fighters’ demands, and decided to stand up for their cause. The Defence Minister also praised the patriotism and courage which often cost our soldiers’ lives.

Turning to the present, the Minister stated that the Hungarian Defence Forces have become a national institution again with the Hungarian troops as their highest value. ‘The strength of the walls lies not in the stones but in the defenders’ souls’, the Minister said quoting István Dobó, the castellan of medieval Eger.

Dr. Csaba Hende held up as an example today’s Hungarian servicemembers’ self-sacrificing, relentless efforts and the work they did in the ‘front line’ of flood relief operations and have still been doing to protect Hungarian settlements against the toxic sludge spill from day one. ‘I would like to thank you on behalf of the whole Hungarian nation for this work, and for the service you are doing in everyday life, in Hungarian military missions around the world. I expect you all to remain faithful to this vocation’, the Minister concluded his speech.

After the speech the Defence Minister handed over ministerial awards and those of the President of the Republic of Hungary, starting with the ones awarded upon the Minister’s recommendation. The Defence Minister handed over the Officer’s Cross and the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary, then the Silver Cross Merit of the Hungarian Republic and the university professors’ appointments. Following the promotions and the appointments, the event continued with the presentation of the ‘For National Defence’ Titles, the Service Medals (Decorated with Laurel Wreaths), the Golden Age Titles and several mementos. The ceremony was closed with the Szózat (second national anthem).

CHOD LTG Tibor Benkő made a toast at a reception that followed, speaking highly of the HDF service personnel’s very professional performance and praising the rewarded ones for their achievements.

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Text: T. Z.
Photos: Mária Krasznai-Nehrebeczky and László Tóth