The annual military parade commemorating Greece’s entry into World War II concluded in Thessaloniki on Tuesday, attended by President of the Hellenic Republic Constantine Tassoulas and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
The parade in Thessaloniki wrapped up with the impressive air exhibition of the ‘Zeus’ group, highlighted by pilot Georgios Sotiriou who performed precision maneuvers above the parade at the Nea Paralia section by the sea. He also spoke through wireless with the Greek president, who conveyed a message of appreciation.
Sections of the three military branches participated in the parade, while some of the newly acquired state-of-the-art armament systems including drones, were on public display for the first time. Some of them included imported and Greek-made drones. Also on show were Greek-made anti-drone systems (already used in EU patrols at the Red Sea), and Greek-made mobile drone-construction units, whether for surveillance or for attacks.
Thousands of Thessaloniki residents lined the streets to watch the parade and aerial display, while officials observing included Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias, his Cypriot counterpart Vassilis Palmas, European Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas, party leaders, cabinet members, regional and local officials, as well as members of the clergy and ambassadors.
Student parades also took part in Athens. Patras and Heraklion had student parades followed by a military one.
Statements by president, PM
In statements after the parade in Thessaloniki, President Tassoulas said the anniversary of the legendary ‘No’ Greece said to the Italian invaders “is the greatest and ultimate lesson of the ’40s generation to our contemporary era.” The courage and heroism of those men and women “always move us and captivate us,” he added. Their example, he said, their love of homeland and their selflessness were guideposts today for Greeks, uniting them before difficulties of the era and building a homeland that is strong before threats, modern, and with progress.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke of the significance of unity among Greeks as it emerged from WWII, and the need to transfer that to the obligations of the current generation. “We live in turbulent and difficult times, but the military parade we just observed today makes us feel secure that the Armed Forces are always here to defend this liberty for which our ancestors fought,” the premier said. “The Armed Forces are currently in the process, perhaps their greatest transformation in their history, to be able to respond to the great and unique challenges of the times.”
