In the Holy Church of the Prophet Elijah Tripolsky on Monday, a funeral procession took place for Lieutenant Mario-Michael Turucic, who died in the fall of the Air Force Ghost near Andravida. Burial followed at the cemetery of Agios Ioannis Pikerniou Mantinea.

Covered in the Greek flag, the body of the 29-year-old airman arrived at the Holy Temple shortly after 10 am to applause as people chanted “Immortal.”

The procession was attended, in particular, by President of the Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, President of SYRIZA Alexis Tsipras, as well as the leadership of the armed forces.

A fellow student of the lieutenant commander delivered a eulogy on behalf of the Air Force. Among other things, it was mentioned that Marios-Michael Turucikas was a “remarkable man” who gave his life “in the service of the Armed Forces”, “a model child for your parents”.

“Honest, direct, tireless and sincere” is emphasized in the funeral on behalf of the Air Force and added: “For this, today we all mourn for the deceased levent, a man, an officer who has gone on an eternal journey. “

“He died early, but full of Greece”

The captain’s father, Kostas Turucikas, said among other things that “Marios has achieved something very difficult. He destroyed his ego. He struck it out of his lexicon. Only you existed. He did not compare Greece with any other country in the world.”

“Father, Greece doesn’t owe me anything. I am the only one who owes Greece,” Marios-Michael told his father, as his father reported. “I think his debt is paid off. He died early, but full of Greece,” concluded Mr. Turoutsikas.

“You became the Icarus of my heart”

The mother of Lieutenant Stavrul, shocked, mentioned among other things in her funeral speech: “You have become the Icarus of our hearts. Greece sees your face and screams immortal.”

Tomorrow, Friday, the funeral of 31-year-old squadron commander Statis Tsitlakidis will be held in Nevrokopi.

Two unlucky pilots will be awarded the rank of lieutenant general. The corresponding decision was signed in the afternoon by the commander of the General Defense Forces, General Konstantinos Floros, which was subsequently signed by the Minister of National Defense, Nikos Panagiotopoulos.