After end of the military parade and an air show for his anniversary 28 of October in Thessaloniki President of the Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou expressed her pride in the Greek armed forces.

Detailed message from Ms. Sakellaropoulou:

“NO” on October 28, 1940 to the fascist invasion and the heroic resistance of our people constitute one of the most glorious pages of our recent history, which we honored with honor at today’s parade.

The spirit of national unity forged in the Albanian epic is a precious legacy for all of us.

We are proud of the country’s Armed Forces, which defend the security and territorial integrity of our Motherland with a high sense of responsibility.”

Conversation with an F-16 pilot

Ms. Sakellaropoulou spoke with the F-16 fighter pilot of the Zeus Airshow Group, Lieutenant Christodoulos Gyakoumis, who has flown more than 1600 hours, while he made spectacular passes and dangerous maneuvers over the parade ground, on Alexander the Great Avenue, breathtaking watching citizens.

Their dialogue was heard through the speakers.

“Greek women, we look with pride at what the generation of the 40s has achieved, defending the Motherland. We are ready and will do the same. Honor to those who in their lives defined and protected Thermopylae! Happy birthday to our Greece and Hellenism all over the world,” the commentator emphasized, and the President of the Republic replied:

“Mr. Episminage, we honor the heroes who fought and gave their lives in the saga of the 1940s for our freedom. And to all of you in the Armed Forces, vigilant guardians who ensure our national independence and sovereignty. The country is grateful to you. Happy birthday and good landings.”

Parade in Thessaloniki

New systems took part in the parade, such as the Marder 1A3 (TOMA) Armored Fighting Vehicles, the first of a series that Greece is receiving these days, as well as the recently acquired French 4++ generation Rafale EG and Rafale DG fighters.

Passes were made by F-16, Mirage 2000-5 and F-4E Phantom fighters, helicopters in service, as well as the historic Spitfire MJ 755 fighter.

The parade was attended by motorized units with weapons systems and the latest equipment, as well as infantry units of the Armed Forces and Security Forces.

They were preceded by political departments, students, clubs, volunteer detachments and other bodies.

The parade was attended by the Minister of National Defense Nikos Panagiotopoulos, the Minister of Defense of Cyprus Charalambos Petridis, MP Kostas Gioulekas, Deputy Minister of Macedonia and Thrace Stavros Kalafatis, Vice-President of the Commission Margaritis Schinas, the leadership of the Armed Forces and Security Forces, from SYRIZA- PS MP Dora Avgeri, PASOK-KINAL MP Haris Kastanidis, Representative of the President of Hellenic Solution, Kyriakos Velopoulos, Regional Governor of Central Macedonia, Apostolos Tsitsikostas, US Ambassador, George Tsounis, Mayor of Thessaloniki, Konstantinos Zervas, Metropolitan Antimos, MPs, MEPs and Elected members of the local government.

The procession of cars with the President of the Republic stopped at some distance from the official platform, and Mrs. Sakellaropoulou walked along this route, greeting the citizens from afar as they passed along Megalo Alexandru Avenue. She was greeted in front of the podium by the leader of GEETHA, General Konstantinos Floros.

Weather conditions were good and many residents of Thessaloniki watched the parade from both sides of Megalo Alexandrou Avenue, while many went to the new beach to see the F-16 display of the Zeus team.