ATHENA. This year’s parade in Thessaloniki for the anniversary of October 28 was impressive with the Marder armored fighters, the newly acquired Rafales and the F-16 flight of the “Zeus” team stealing the show.

At the beginning, as always, the military units paraded, winning the warm applause of the citizens – about 20,000 – who went to watch the great military parade up close.

In the second part of the parade, the Marder armored vehicles that Greece recently received from Germany made their first appearance.

The passage of the newly acquired Rafale fighter jets, which flew for the first time over Thessaloniki, was also impressive.

However, the most impressive part of the military parade for October 28 was undoubtedly the F-16 flight of the “Zeus” team. The marshal Christodoulos Giakoumis with skillful maneuvers, high-speed crossings and dives caused the admiration of those present and those watching the parade on television.

In his message to the Greek people, the commentator said: “Greek women, we look with pride at what the generation of the ’40s achieved, defending our homeland. We are and will remain ready to do the same. Honor to those who in their lives defined and guarded Thermopylae. Happy birthday to our Greece and to Hellenism everywhere on Earth! Happy birthday Thessaloniki!”.

The quote “Honor to those who in their lives defined and guarded Thermopylae” is from the poem “Thermopylae” by our poet Constantinos Cavafy.

Sakellaropoulou: We are proud of the Armed Forces of the country

“The spirit of national unity forged in the Albanian saga is a precious legacy for all of us,” said the President of the Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, after the conclusion of the military parade in Thessaloniki, and expressed pride in the Armed Forces which, as she said, “with a high sense of responsibility they defend the security and territorial integrity of our homeland”.

“The ‘NO’ on October 28, 1940 to the fascist invasion and the heroic resistance of our people constitute one of the most glorious pages of our Modern History, which we respectfully honored in today’s parade. The spirit of national unity forged in the Albanian epic is a precious legacy for all of us. We are proud of the Armed Forces of the country, which with a high sense of responsibility defend the security and territorial integrity of our homeland”, noted the President of the Republic.

Ioannina and Kalpaki the Prime Minister

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis chose Epirus, specifically Kalpaki and Ioannina, to attend the festivities.

“Our duty is to hand over to the next generation a stronger homeland, a safer homeland, a more prosperous homeland, a more just homeland”, emphasized from Ioannina the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who honored with his presence the anniversary events.

After the end of the parade, the Prime Minister stated:

“Our sunny homeland welcomes our national holiday today. The heart of Hellenism always beats a little stronger over here, in Ioannina, in Kalpaki, in Epirus, because here 82 years ago we defended ourselves against an unprovoked attack and this generation, the generation of the ’40s, did its duty to the homeland and against History.

Our duty is to hand over to the next generation, to those children who marched holding up the Greek flag with a smile, with optimism, with pride a stronger homeland, a safer homeland, a more prosperous homeland, a fairer homeland. I am absolutely sure that we will achieve this. Happy birthday to everyone.”

Earlier, Mr. Mitsotakis attended the official Doxology at the Metropolitan Cathedral and laid a wreath at the Bizanomachon Monument.

Meanwhile in Athens the annual student parade on the national holiday of 28th October (“OXI Day”) concluded late in the morning in the center of Athens.

The public holiday commemorates Greece’s rejection (“OXI”) of an Italian ultimatum on October 28, 1940 that led to Greece’s invasion at the start of the Second World War.

A total of 235 schools of central Athens took part – 134 grade schools, 50 junior high schools, and 51 high schools, including specialized schools. Also marching were a Special Olympics group and Boy and Girl Scouts.

Officials observing from a stand before Parliament included Minister of Education & Religion Niki Kerameos, Region of Attica Director Giorgos Patoulis, and Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis.

Traffic has been restored after the parking and travel restrictions imposed for the parade.

Most cities in Greece also held student parades, while Thessaloniki held a large military parade in the presence of the Greek president and the minister of national defense.