The national and religious memorial service for the hero Symeon Markos Glykainos, a son of Paralimni, who fell fighting during the Turkish invasion of 1974, was held with emotion and respect.
Simeon Glykenou was born in Paralimni on September 22, 1951. With the invasion, he was presented as a reservist and served in the 32nd Commando Squadron. On August 14, 1974, he was last seen in the area of Agios Ambrosios and on August 15, he fell fighting in the area of Tziaous.
For decades he remained missing. His bones were found in the area where he fought his last battle and identified with DNA. On February 12, 2017, almost 43 years after his sacrifice, his remains were returned to his birthplace.
During his speech, the Mayor of Paralimni - Deryneia emphasized that the sacrifice of Symeon Glykainos is an integral part of the historical heritage of Paralimni and Cyprus, underlining the responsibility of the Municipality to preserve the memory of the heroes and pass it on to the younger generations.
"Behind every name there is a life, a family, dreams and plans that were violently interrupted," he said, pointing out that the memory of the fallen is a responsibility towards the past and the future.
Referring to the ongoing occupation and division of our homeland, he stressed that, more than fifty years after the invasion, Cyprus continues to demand vindication and the restoration of the rights of its people.
The Mayor expressed the Municipality's gratitude and respect to the hero's family, emphasizing that the name of Symeon Glykainos will forever remain engraved in the history and collective memory of the place.
The Municipality of Paralimni - Deryneia will continue to honor the memory of the heroes and preserve historical memory, so that their sacrifices will be a legacy for future generations.
Eternal memory to the hero Symeon Markos Glykainos.
Honor and glory to all those who fell defending our freedom and homeland.
