77th Slovak National Uprising anniversary marked in Skároš and Michalovce

Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď marked the 77th anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising (SNP) during a commemorative event at the SNP Memorial in the municipality of Skároš, organised by the Košice City Council Office – Surrounding Municipalities, as well as taking part in an act of commemoration at the WW2 Memorial on White Mountain in Michalovce.

In a statement to mark the occasion, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “Not only has the Slovak National Uprising defined the future of the Slovak Nation to a significant extent, but it has also influenced the way we look at ourselves. A sense of pride has taken root in us from the achievements of the men and women who fought in the SNP, whereas for us they sowed the blood-drenched Slovak soil with the most precious national wealth – peace, freedom and democracy. Now it is up to us to cultivate it.”

Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď appreciated the numerous SNP commemoration events being staged by local authorities across the whole of Slovakia. “It is with great pleasure that I accept the invitations to join our citizens and veterans in attending commemorations in tribute to all Slovak National Uprising fighters. This, too, is a way of bringing our history closer to the young generation in an authentic manner.”

During a medal award ceremony, the head of the MOD presented the 75th SNP Anniversary and End of WW2 Medal to members of the local Slovak Anti-Nazi Fighters Association. Among the recipients were: Martin Fedorko, Boleslav Lešo, Miroslav Prega and Emília Šenkeríková. The SVK Minister of Defence Memorial Medal was posthumously awarded to WW2 veteran Ján Pozník and handed over to his relatives.