The Cypriot state, after 42 years, handed over the remains of 16 Greek commandos and members of the Noratlas "Victory 4" crew to their families.
In the Tomb of Makedonitissa, was written the epilogue of the tragic story of the aircraft of the Greek Air Force, which was accidentally shot down by friendly fire on the night of the 21st to the 22nd of July 1974.
The apology of the President of KD
"During those days full of fire and blood in 1974, the Cypriots had one hope: to see Greek aid on the horizon. To see the Greek wings in our sky, coming to assist the supreme struggle. Today we all know what the tragic situation was. But then even those -few- who knew, had no choice but to believe in Greek support.
Two days after the invasion began, an airborne squadron raised hopes. A squadron of squadrons attempted the impossible: To arrive at night on the island and with minimal forces, just 318 men, to convey the message that children of Greece were with us. Children of Greece fought, even for the honor, together with their brothers, as in every struggle of the Cypriot Hellenism, but also on the part of the Greeks of Cyprus in the struggles of the Greek Hellenism.
That is why that mistake hurts us so deeply. For that fateful moment when in the chaos, friendly fire struck the Greek Noratlas and led to the death of the heroes whose bones we are handing over to their relatives today ", said the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Anastasiadis during the official handover ceremony.
Cyprus reverently leans its head on the heroes
Today, with the delivery of the 16 relics and after we have formed a rational and scientifically substantiated process of establishing the identity of our dead, we reverently bow our heads to the heroes and hand over their sacred bones to their relatives, added the President of KD. "We say a big thank you to the people who were deprived of their loved ones by the war. Feelings of gratitude come from the depths of our souls and history, and will resonate in the future. A thank you and a gratitude, because the contribution of your people was decisive, confirming the historical continuity, the weight of the national bond, the fraternal relationship ".
Fotiou: We thank immortal heroes of the fatal NORATLAS
Presidency Commissioner Fotis Fotiou praised the courage of the commandos.
"The heroes of NORATLAS did not lack courage, self-denial and patriotism. That is why they should not be deprived of the minimum prices that the State owed and must pay. Because the company "NIKI", exceeded the limit of risk, exceeded the classic tactical planning. And our heroes knew that very well. So consciously, they sacrificed their lives and gained a worthy place in the heroic pantheon of our race. As Thucydides emphasizes, the most glorious tomb is not where they are buried, but where their glory remains and is eternally remembered at every opportunity. "The" men of all the tombs "should become an integral part of our national consciousness.
In Athens the memorial prayer
The relics will be transported to Athens by C-130, where a reception ceremony and a memorial service will be held at the Dhekelia Air Base - Tatoi.
Besides, according to an official announcement, the Minister of Defense Christoforos Fokaidis is going to Athens to attend and address a greeting on behalf of the Cypriot Government at the welcoming ceremony of the remains of the 16 fallen Greek heroes aboard the Hellenic Air Force 4 aircraft.
The ceremony will be attended by the President of the Hellenic Republic, the political and military leadership of the Greek Ministry of National Defense and relatives of the deceased. The ceremony will take place at Tatoi air base, where a memorial service will be held.
During the ceremony, Mr. Fokaidis will award on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus the Medal of Excellent Offer to the relatives of the deceased who were unable to travel to Cyprus for the handover ceremony.
Source: SigmaLive