„Winter Medal Parade” in Cyprus
Szöveg: Lt.-Col. Péter Lukács | 2012. március 6. 9:10In line with the winter and summer rotation schedule of the contingents, the traditional medal parade takes place twice a year in the UNFICYP mission in Cyprus. The UNFICYP HQ (Nicosia) hosted the so-called “Winter Medal Parade” on February 23.
Operated by the Argentine contingent at the Nicosia HQ, a helicopter hangar hosted the Winter Medal Parade on February 23. When the troops of all sectors lined up, UNFICYP Chief of Mission Lisa Buttenheim and Maj.-Gen. Chao Liu, the Force Commander of the peacekeeping mission delivered speeches at the ceremony. Both of them stressed the special role of military forces in peacekeeping around the insular country. In addition, the two leaders thanked the troops for their dedicated work and informed them on the visions for the future of the peace process.
It was Lisa Buttenheim, Maj.-Gen. Chao Liu and Dr. Balázs Botos, Hungary’s ambassador to Cyprus who pinned the medals on the uniforms of the Hungarian troops upon the completion of their tours of duty.
The ceremony was preceded by thorough preparations, since the parades are always carried out in accordance with the British Army Drill Manual, and practicing and mastering the proper series of movement takes time. The medal parades in Cyprus always present the members of the logistic team with a special task because after the ceremony, the participants have opportunity to taste some specialties of the troop contributing nations.
