Face hidden for 60 years (5 May) After the long 60 years, the face of Milan Rastislav Štefánik is finally back to Bratislava. The original face section of M.R. Štefánik’s statue will be displayed in the Primatial Palace, open to public until 16 Friday. The exhibition entitled „Štefánik’s Face Hidden for 60 Years Again in Bratislava” was opened by Minister of Defence of the SR Martin Glváč and Bratislava Mayor Milan Ftáčnik. „I am most glad that now we can show the wide public what has been left of the original statue, which was in 1954 destroyed. This is the unique opportunity for us to remember this significant figure in our history for his exceptional merits,” stated Minister Glváč. Mayor Ftáčnik said he greatly appreciated the incentive of MOD to organize the exhibition on the occasion of 95th anniversary of death of M. R. Štefánik and 100th anniversary of an outbreak of WWI. ● Members of Sector 4 in Cyprus commemorated the 95th anniversary of the death of Slovak pilot, astronomer, politician, diplomat, general in the French Army, and first Czechoslovak Minister of War – General Milan Rastislav Štefánik. The commemoration ceremony at a military memorial was conducted by military chaplain 1st Lieutenant Jozef Michňák. ● To mark the occasion of the 69th anniversary of the Victory Day over Fascism, members of the military units based in Martin Garrison participated in a commemoration and wreath-laying ceremony at the Slovak National Uprising Memorial and the Cemetery of the Fallen in Martin. The ceremony was attended by representatives of the local government, members of the Military Retirees Club and the Slovak Union of Anti-Fascist Fighters, and the residents of Martin and Vrútky.
Commemorating victory (9 May) On the occasion of the Victory Day, Minister of Defence of the Slovak Republic Mar n Glváč and State Secretary Miloš Koterec paid tribute to the vic ms of the World War II at the Slavín memorial in Bra slava. “The Victory over fascism Day is highly significant for all of us. We owe a debt of respect and gra tude to those who sacrificed their lives in a fight for freedom and liberty,” said the Head of Defence Department. On this occasion, State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Miloš Koterec awarded the nine surviving fighters against fascism with commemora ve medals of the 3rd Grade for their par cipa on in a na onal libera on fight during WWII. The solemn ceremony was held in the presence of Prime Minister Robert Fico, members of the Government, Vice-President of the European Commission Maroš Šefčovič, representa ves of the SVK Na onal Council and representa ves of diploma c missions, and members of the Slovak Union of An -Fascist Fighters, to include the directly involved resistance fighters. In the morning, SVK President and Commander -in-Chief of the SVK Armed Forces Ivan Gašparovič, accompanied by the representa ves of the Office of the President of the SR and representaves of the Military Office of the President of the SR, came to pay tribute to the perished soldiers.
● On 7 May, members of the SVK Air Force Headquarters (SVK AF HQ) held a ceremony in Zvolen to mark the end of World War II in Europe and victory over Fascism. Those present at the ceremony, also attended by key officials, listened to the order of the Slovak President and Commander-in-Chief of the SVK Armed Forces. A series of commemorative events then continued at the Soviet and Romanian Army Memorial in Banská Bystrica, the Fallen Soviet Army Soldiers Memorial in Zvolen, and at the cemetery of Russian and Romanian soldiers. ● Lt Gen Joachim Wundrak, Commander of CAOC Uedem in Germany, accompanied by Col Lone Traeholt, visited the SVK Air Force Headquarters (SVK AF HQ) and SVK AF units on 6 May. The aim of his familiarization visit was to acquire greater awareness of the units and assets earmarked for the performance of NATINAMDS-related tasks. Lt Gen Wundrak was mainly interested in the Control Reporting Centre Zvolen. It is this very centre that contributes with its 24/7 services to the protection of the airspace of Slovakia and NATO countries. The CRC Zvolen falls within the area of responsibility of the Combined Air Operations Centre – CAOC UEDEM.
Commemoration in Polomka
(6 May) On Tuesday, 6 May, a commemoration meeting was held in Polomka in tribute to soldiers of the US Office of Strategic Services (OSS) and the British intelligence mission WINDPROOF, who had fallen in the Slovak National Uprising (SNU). Along with the US Ambassador to Slovakia Theodore Sedgwick and the representative of the UK Embassy Martin Kay, also the representatives of the SVK MOD and SVK Armed Forces took part in the commemoration ceremony, as well as the representatives of the local government. Present at the ceremony were also a son and two grandsons of the commander of the British unit Maj. John Sehmer. “I hold in great esteem the inhabitants of Polomka, who supported the American and British soldiers during the uprising and who have them in remembrance even after the years,” said Theodore Sedgwick. “It is hard to imagine the terrible tragedy that had happened seventy years ago in these beautiful mountains. It makes it all the more important not to forget and to keep memory alive for the next generations to come,” emphasized Martin Kay. “Those who do not cherish their own history do not deserve future,” said Col. Stanislav Hurčík, Chief of the Staff of the SVK Air Force, when paying tribute to the allies and the Slovak soldiers and partisans who had fought their joint battle of survival during the SNU.
● On 7 May, members of the SVK Land Forces Headquarters (SVK LF HQ) commemorated the end of World War II in Europe with a remembrance ceremony, where they listened to the order of the Slovak President. Selected SVK LF HQ members were awarded the Commemorative Medal of the Minister of Defence at the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Slovakia’s entry into NATO, the Medal for Allegiance to the SVK Armed Forces and the Badge of the SVK CHOD. All awards were presented to selected service personnel by the acting Land Forces Commander, Col Milan Mezovský. ● On Wednesday, 7 May, members of the Training and Support Forces Headquarters (TSF HQ) commemorated the Day of Victory over Fascism with a ceremony. In his speech, Col Ján Dreveňák, Chief of Staff, Training and Support Forces, pointed out the courage of the Anti-Fascist Coalition. ● At the premises of the Multifunctional Supply Base East (MSB East) – Poprad, a blood donation initiative was organised on 7 May in cooperation with a mobile unit of the National Transfusion Service in Poprad. The most precious fluid was donated by 21 soldiers, MSB East employees and their relatives, members of Military Unit 5728 Martin detached in Poprad, and employees of nearby companies. Since 2011, there have been a total of 122 donors, many of them holders of the Janský plaque.
Open military museum night
The Institute of Military History Bratislava and its organisational component – the Museum Section of the Museum of Military History (MMH) Svidník and the Museum of Military History (MMH) Piešťany will organise the Open Museum and Gallery Night on 17 May 2014. You all are invited to come to the season opening ceremony and experience a special exhibition, screenings of military documentaries and fairy tales at a sightseeing tower, World War II battle re-enactments and other attractions. Members of the Prešov and Trnava Recruitment Group, SVK Armed Forces Personnel Office, will be present, too.
Milan Maxim appointed as new Chief of Defence of the SVK Armed Forces
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(6 May) The leaving Chief of the Defence Staff of the SVK Armed Forces Lieutenant General Peter Vojtek handed over a flag of Chief of Defence of the SVK Armed Forces to Lieutenant General Milan Maxim. Thereby, he assumed the supreme position in the Armed Forces of the SR. President of the SR and Commander-in-Chief of the SVK Armed Forces Ivan Gašparovič appointed Lieutenant General Milan Maxim as the new Chief of the Defence Staff of the SVK Armed Forces. “I am convinced that the experience you have gained both in Slovakia and in missions abroad make you the right man to get our creaky armed forces into shape so that our army would be able to perform all the tasks assigned,” said the President. Lieutenant General Milan Maxim was inducted into office by Minister of Defence Martin Glváč. The departing Chief
of the Defence Staff of the SVK Armed Forces Lieutenant General Peter Vojtek wished his successor every success and expressed his belief that he would continue to foster further development of the armed forces. The new Chief of the Defence Staff is determined to continue efforts to modernize the armed forces and to fulfil all our commitments and obligations following from our membership in NATO. The appointment of the new Chief of the Defence Staff of the SVK Armed Forces was preceded by ceremonial promotion in rank and appointment of new Generals of the SVK Armed Forces. President of the SR Ivan Gašparovič handed over decrees on promotion to the rank of General to Maj. Gen. Milan Maxim, Col. Daniel Zmeko, Col. (Ret.) Ján Iľanovský and Col. (Ret.) Milan Píka.
eBULLETIN MoD SR
May 5 - 11, 2014