Greek Army Holds Celebrations For Its Patron Saint George

The Greek Army on Wednesday celebrated its patron Saint George in a special ceremony at the Infantry School at Halkida (on the island of Evia). At the event, which was attended by the leadership of the Armed Forces, representatives of political parties, municipal dignitaries and others,  National Defence Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos, once again stressed the need for national unity, so that Greece can successfully come to weather the difficulties being faced by society at this time.

     "History has proven that whenever we joined our strengths we overcame difficulties, we successfully confronted the challenges and we opened paths of hope for our homeland. The same has to be done now, as well", Avramopoulos said.

The minister expressed his absolute satisfaction for the fact, that Greece "has one of the most trustworthy and effective defence systems in Europe and the world", adding that this defence system is primarily destined to both protect the independence and the integrity of the country and serve the international order of law.

The Army Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Christos Manolas in his order of the day urged the people serving the Army to understand, among others, that "the economic crisis must not in any case affect the defensive and deterrent ability of the country".