Defence Minister J. Naď: By projecting red poppies as symbol of remembrance onto Bratislava Castle, we honour all war and contemporary veterans

To pay tribute to veterans, the red poppy emblem as a symbol of 11 November was projected onto Bratislava Castle. Veterans Day and the 102nd anniversary of the end of WW1 were observed today by Prime Minister Igor Matovič, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď, Parliamentary Deputy Chairman Gábor Grendel and Chief of Defence Gen Daniel Zmeko. They gathered to show their respect to all veterans and pointed to their unwavering and ever-relevant legacy – the struggle for universal values of peace, democracy and freedom.

Prime Minister Igor Matovič said: “I am proud of our members of the Armed Forces who have, over the past weeks, helped us in a very fundamental way to return to a more peaceful life.” The Prime Minister honoured the memory of all WW1 and WW2 veterans, including the Slovak National Uprising (SNP) veterans. “I believe that even in the future the Slovak Armed Forces will be the element which will enable us to live out our lives satisfactorily and that Europe will continue to be a peaceful haven without war, as has been the case over the past 75 years,” he said.

Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “It is an immense honour for us that for the first time in history we celebrate Veterans Day today with a projection of wild red poppies onto Bratislava Castle. These are a symbol of the blood shed across the battlefields and meadows of WW1. Ultimately, we are grateful to WW1 and WW2 veterans, SNP veterans, contemporary veterans of UN, EU and NATO missions and operations, and these months also to all Slovak servicemen and women for what they have done for the Slovak Republic and the health of our citizens.” He went on to say that by paying tribute to all veterans, our society acknowledges that it is not indifferent to the events of last century and that it communicates an important message to the current generation – “Respect and esteem for those to whom we are grateful for our freedom is the least we can show to them,” he added.

As Deputy Parliamentary Chairman Gábor Grendel said, today reminds us that peace and quiet cannot be taken for granted. “Our fathers, grandfathers and their fathers fought to win peace and quiet for our generation. I am pleased that the SVK Parliament can contribute to this commemoration by lighting up Bratislava Castle.”

Chief of Defence Gen Daniel Zmeko said: “I am very grateful that Veterans Day is becoming a day of remembrance for the whole civil society. We know that all those who fought and spilt their blood in WW1, WW2 and in other conflicts were not just soldiers but also citizens dressed in uniform who served their country and their Nation. Not only on this day, they all deserve to be remembered. I am very pleased that the Armed Forces have carried on the traditions that our forebearers established – we have our own veterans, our own acts of bravery and our own tragedies. And I believe we should also remember those who have survived these tragedies.”

According to the MOD statistics, the total number of WW2 veterans and contemporary veterans is 86 and 8,267, respectively. Contemporary veterans have served on international crisis management missions and operations. “Today, we also remember those who have been helping to build peace and a safer world wherever needed – far away from their homes and close ones, with the aim of bringing better tomorrows to all. Thank You!” said the head of the MOD.

In the past years, Slovakia’s commemorations of Veterans Day have featured the Veterans Honour Run, with the start line at the Petržalka – Kopčany Cemetery. However, the run is cancelled for this year due to the pandemic. “I myself would like to pay my respects to them in this way, too. I hope that the symbolic lighting up of Bratislava Castle with a projection of red poppies is a small compensation and a gesture of gratitude to all veterans,” said Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď.

The last gun salute was fired to signify the signing of the Armistice at 11:11 on 11 November 1918 in Compiégne, France. Unlike all conflicts, WW1 lasted for four years uninterruptedly. Since immediately after the end of WW1, 11 November has been observed as Veterans Day.

On the occasion of Veterans Day this year, SVK Armed Forces personnel handed out red poppies and leaflets across the towns and cities of the Slovak Republic.

Still today, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď attended remembrance ceremonies at the MOD’s Reconciliation Memorial and in Bratislava’s Šafárik Square.