P. Gajdoš: Battle flags reflect successes and exemplary performance of tasks by military units
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- Date: 23.05.2019
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Commanders of five military units of the Slovak Armed Forces took over battle flags on loan from President and Commander-in-Chief of the Slovak Armed Forces Andrej Kiska during a ceremony at the Presidential Palace today (23 May 2019). The battle flags – a symbol of military honour, valour and glory – were presented to the Repairs Battalion Martin, Tactical Wing Sliač, Helicopter Wing Prešov, 12th Mechanised Battalion Nitra, and 21st Combined Mechanised Battalion Trebišov.
Speaking after the ceremony, Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš said: “Receiving a battle flag on loan [from the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Slovak Armed Forces] is a recognition of the successes they have achieved for exemplary performance of tasks, be it at home or on crisis management operations. From the viewpoint of symbolism, the battle flag is the highest recognition that may be accorded to a military unit.”
Speaking at the ceremony on behalf of all recognised units, Commander of the Tactical Wing Sliač Col Martin Kuterka thanked the President and the SVK MOD for support and trust, he said: “Generally speaking, we perceive the takeover of the battle flags from the hands of the President of the Slovak Republic and Commander of the Slovak Armed Forces as the highest recognition of our work. While it fills us with honour, we take on an obligation never to let up our efforts in defending the freedom, independence and sovereignty of the Slovak Republic.”
The battle flag is one of the main symbols of military units and formations of the Slovak Armed Forces. The act of giving a flag on loan to a military unit is grounded in historical traditions, especially in the existence and operations of the Czechoslovak Legion in Russia, Italy and France throughout WW1.
In line with applicable legislation, battle flags are given on loan by the President of the Slovak Republic at the proposal of the SVK Minister of Defence. Historically, only 18 military units and schools have received the battle flag to date. Of them, 11 still exist today in the current organizational structure of the SVK Armed Forces. The remaining 7 battle flags of the military units, formations and schools which were either disbanded or ceased to exist have been deposited at the Museum of Military History in Piešťany.
Speaking after the ceremony, Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš said: “Receiving a battle flag on loan [from the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Slovak Armed Forces] is a recognition of the successes they have achieved for exemplary performance of tasks, be it at home or on crisis management operations. From the viewpoint of symbolism, the battle flag is the highest recognition that may be accorded to a military unit.”
Speaking at the ceremony on behalf of all recognised units, Commander of the Tactical Wing Sliač Col Martin Kuterka thanked the President and the SVK MOD for support and trust, he said: “Generally speaking, we perceive the takeover of the battle flags from the hands of the President of the Slovak Republic and Commander of the Slovak Armed Forces as the highest recognition of our work. While it fills us with honour, we take on an obligation never to let up our efforts in defending the freedom, independence and sovereignty of the Slovak Republic.”
The battle flag is one of the main symbols of military units and formations of the Slovak Armed Forces. The act of giving a flag on loan to a military unit is grounded in historical traditions, especially in the existence and operations of the Czechoslovak Legion in Russia, Italy and France throughout WW1.
In line with applicable legislation, battle flags are given on loan by the President of the Slovak Republic at the proposal of the SVK Minister of Defence. Historically, only 18 military units and schools have received the battle flag to date. Of them, 11 still exist today in the current organizational structure of the SVK Armed Forces. The remaining 7 battle flags of the military units, formations and schools which were either disbanded or ceased to exist have been deposited at the Museum of Military History in Piešťany.
