An annual national memorial service and trishagio was held, as every year in the church that was erected at the site of the explosion in the presence of the President of the Republic, Nikos Anastasiadis and the Minister of Defense, Savva Angelidis.
Seven whole years have passed since the deadly explosion at the naval base of "Evangelos Florakis" in Marie, in which 13 people lost their lives and another 63 were injured.
The tragedy of July 11, 2011 must be the starting point for a benevolent state that will provide security and create real prospects for growth and prosperity, said today the President of the Republic Nikos Anastasiadis.
In his memorial speech at the annual national memorial service for the 13 fallen in Marie that took place at the "Evangelos Florakis" Naval Base, the President said that "with the same emotional charge as on that first terrible day of the tragic explosion in Marie, seven years later we commemorate 13 young men of the National Guard, the Fire Brigade and the EMAK who gave their lives in a service mandated for the homeland. "Our grief for the tragic and unjust loss of our heroes will forever provoke our consciences and will lead our steps on the road to the future of our homeland."
We bowed, he continued, "with respect to their memory, reiterating our apology for all that we owed as a State to do and did not do, all that the state had to do in order not to expose them to the deadly danger they faced with unparalleled vigor."
The President of the Republic reiterated the assurance that "we will not allow, or at least we will try to never allow such mistakes to be repeated again and our country to experience similar tragedies and no one to be called again to take on responsibilities in such an unpredictable way that correspond ".
Declaring the 13 fallen as heroes, he continued "the state paid the minimum price to the victims of state insufficiency" while addressing the relatives, PD said that "we feel that we do the least for you and the loved ones you have lost, while having full consciousness that no honor, no support from the state can replace the physical presence of your loved ones. But let the appreciation of an entire people for their sacrifice be a consolation for you ".
He also told the relatives of the deceased that he wants them to be proud of the legacy they left, not only to them but also to society and especially to us statesmen, who bear full responsibility for the implementation of all that we have received. as a lesson from that tragic day. "It's crucial that we do what we owe it to ourselves, because that terrible explosion, in addition to the tragic toll on human lives, called into question the state's ability to protect its citizens and dealt a huge blow to the country's already shaky economy."
In his memorial speech, President Anastasiadis also said that "with the diligence, philanthropy, sacrifices and zeal of our people, the material losses and damage to the local economy, have almost been compensated. "Unfortunately, the human lives that have been lost are not being made up for," he said, noting that "for this reason it is a national duty and obligation to the families and children of our heroic dead to keep their memory alive and to pay our respects." .
He also said that "the 13 heroes of the tragedy in Marie, advocating their lives, the public interest and the love for the homeland, defended the state itself, the dignity and honor of all of us. A similar sacrifice to those who gave their lives in 1974 defending the independence and territorial integrity of our country. "
After stating that "the first real and most important tangible honor we owe to the people we mention these days, is to offer our country an honest solution that will free us from the effects of the Turkish invasion, which is the greatest stigma in modern history. He added that "for this and for us it is crucial to achieve a solution that will impose on the whole country, peace and security and will create conditions of cooperation and prosperity for all its inhabitants."
He explained that the solution "will be fully compatible with the status of the country as an EU member state and which will ensure functionality and sustainability, thus creating conditions for peaceful coexistence and co-creation. Our hope is that in a dialogue that will take place without threats and blackmail, it will be possible to create the conditions for such proposals to be submitted that will fully respect the reasonable concerns and sensitivities of both communities, but will not ignore international law. and the European acquis ".
Expressing his respect once again to the honored heroes "who selflessly sacrificed their lives in order to defend their fellow citizens and the state", the President assured that "our debt as a State to the dead and their relatives" will not paid in words and in the required ritual. The death of the 13 young men said "it must unite us and make us responsible to make those cuts that will make the tragedy of July 11, 2011, the starting point for a new, modern, prosperous state. A state that will take responsibility for its citizens, will provide security and will create real prospects for development and prosperity ".
The memorial service began at the Base of the 56 members of EMAK who started marching from Kofinou, continued with a trishagio in the church built on the hill of the Naval Base a few meters above the place of sacrifice of 13 heroes, followed by an invitation to the fallen and honorary shots and was completed with the laying of wreaths.
Wreaths were laid by the President of the Republic, the Speaker of Parliament, the Ambassador of Greece to Cyprus, the Chiefs of the National Guard and the Police, the Commander of ELDYK, party representatives and relatives of the victims, including young children.
The ceremony was attended by, among others, the Speaker of Parliament, the Ministers of Defense and Justice and Public Order, the Metropolitan of Trimithou representing the Church of Cyprus, the Ambassador of Greece to Cyprus, the Presidents of DIKO and the Movement of Ecologists. President of EDEK, the deputies of DISY G. Georgiou and E. Diplaros, the Chiefs of the National Guard and the Police, the Commander of ELDYK, the Director of the Fire Service, the Commander of KSED and many relatives and people.
Source: KYPE