Acting DefMin: Freedom, for which soldiers sacrificed their lives can last as long as we value it
Freedom, in the name of the Romanian soldiers that sacrificed their lives in theaters of operation, in the last 30 years, can last only as long as valued and defended, was the message sent on Thursday by the acting Minister of Defence, Nicolae Ciuca, on the occasion of Veteran’s Day.
He took part in a ceremony where he placed wreaths at the Monument of Heroes fallen in Theaters of Operations and in Romania, which is the Tineretului Park in the Capital.
“Let us remember the veterans every day, not just on the occasion of such events, whether this is about Romanian soldiers from the Second World War or those that took part in mission in theaters of operations. It is important to collaborate in order to keep the legacy left by the veterans, along with the fundamental values supported by the soldiers who participated in Romania’s most difficult missions in Somalia and Angola, in the West Balkans, Afghanistan, Iraq and Mali,” the head of Defence wrote on Facebook.
The Minister added that veterans from theaters of operations “risked everything for our safety”.
On the occasion of Veteran’s Day, an internet page has been launched, dedicated to the foreign missions where soldiers of the Romanian army took part: misiuni.mapn.ro. Here, missions and active operations are presented, on sections, such as the ones in Poland, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina or the Mediterranean Sea, as well as those already concluded – Afghanistan, Iraq.
Veteran’s Day was established by law in 2014 and its purpose is recognizing the merits of the participants of the Army personnel in military actions and granting them rights, as well as to the descendants of those fallen. The date was chosen for its symbolism: On November 11, 1918, at 11:00, the Truce between the powers of Triple Entente and Germany came into effect, where the First World War was ended and the necessary conditions were created to establish the Great Union of Romania, on December 1st, 1918.
The significance of this day for the Romanian army is also tied to the fact that on November 11, 2003, second lieutenant Iosif Silviu Fogorasi fell in action, the first Romanian soldier that died in the theaters of operations in Afghanistan.
During the period of 1996-2021, Romania has lost 30 soldiers in missions executed in theaters of operations, and another 200 were injured
Iohannis: Veterans, true examples of courage, dignity, patriotism and loyalty to country and national values
President Klaus Iohannis on Thursday sent a message on the Day of Veterans from Theatres of Operations, stating that veterans are “true examples of courage, dignity, patriotism and loyalty to the country and national values.”
“Today we celebrate the Day of Veterans from Theatres of Operations, an occasion to pay tribute to all the troops who, far from home and families, have selflessly and devoutly fulfilled their entrusted missions. (…) Veterans represent true examples of courage, dignity, patriotism and loyalty to the country and national values,” says the head of state in the message.
He points out that the professionalism of the Romanian military staff participating in missions in the theaters of operations is noticed and appreciated by Romania’s allies and partners.
“Romania’s participation in multinational missions, even before becoming a NATO member, was a determining factor that facilitated accession to the North Atlantic Alliance, the European Union, as well as the conclusion of strategic security partnerships with internationally relevant states. This year, the North Atlantic Alliance completed its most demanding operation in recent years, carried out over 19 years, the Resolute Support mission in the Afghanistan Theatre of Operations, and today we honor the sacrifice of the 27 Romanian servicemen who lost their lives, the 227 troops that were wounded and our thoughts are with the grieving families. We also owe our respect to the veterans of World War II who gave their lives out of the love for their country, as well as to the servicemen who, in recent years, have participated in missions under the auspices of NATO, the European Union, the UN or the coalition outside the national territory,” says President Iohannis.
He thanked all the military staff who are currently carrying out international missions in various theatres of operations and conflict zones.
Photo: www.mapn.ro, Laurentiu Turoi
