V. Kikilias: “The Greek State, the Greek Government and I Personally Stand with Boundless Gratitude, Respect and Appreciation for These People and Their Ultimate Sacrifice”

“Today is a day of profound remembrance and respect for duty, the Flag, the Homeland and, above all, for these people—the men and women of the Hellenic Coast Guard who served the Flag, the Homeland and the Hellenic Coast Guard, as well as their fellow men and women serving in the Corps, with selflessness, patriotism and professionalism,” stated the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Vassilis Kikilias, during the memorial ceremony honouring fallen Hellenic Coast Guard personnel, held today at the Ministry.

As Mr Kikilias emphasized, “Above all, our souls, our hearts and our memories are with our colleagues, the men and women, the Greeks who served in the Hellenic Coast Guard and sacrificed their own lives, falling in the line of duty.”

He further stressed that “the Greek State, the Greek Government and I personally stand with boundless gratitude, respect and appreciation for these people and their ultimate sacrifice. We are all committed to serving our fellow citizens and our country, particularly under the difficult circumstances we are experiencing today, in an era of multiple challenges when, quite frankly, no one knows exactly what the future holds.”

He underlined that “we have a duty to prepare continuously, to train continuously and to modernize continuously, with our Homeland as our guiding light and compass—its mainland regions, its islands, its ports, its national sovereignty and, above all, our fellow citizens.”

For his part, the Chief of the Hellenic Coast Guard, Vice Admiral Tryfon Kontizas, stated:

“It is with great honour and deep emotion that we pay tribute today to the serving and retired personnel of the Hellenic Coast Guard, giving them the recognition they deserve. We honour the women and men who serve with dedication and selflessness, making every possible effort each day to successfully fulfil their important mission.”

He added that “our retired personnel hold a special place on this day. Through their many years of tireless service, they passed on invaluable experience and knowledge to younger generations, shaping the strong moral foundation that keeps the Corps’ tradition alive and unbroken. Through their continuous and meaningful contribution to society, they have rightfully earned the esteem and trust of us all.”

The Chief also emphasized that “at the same time, we pay tribute to our colleagues who fell in the line of duty, defending the values and ideals that form the very core of our mission. With respect and awe, we stand before their memory and bow our heads to the heroes who honoured their oath, giving their own lives for the safety of society and the Homeland.”

The ceremony was presided over by His Grace Nifon, Bishop of Acheloos. A memorial service was held in honour of the fallen Hellenic Coast Guard personnel, followed by the laying of wreaths at the memorial.

Those also in attendance included the Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Stefanos Gikas; the Secretary General for Maritime Affairs and Ports, Evangelos Kyriazopoulos; the Chief of the Hellenic Coast Guard, Vice Admiral Tryfon Kontizas; former Chiefs of the Hellenic Coast Guard; the President of the Hellenic Coast Guard Officers’ Club; the President of the Association of Retired Naval Officers; and a representative of the Association of Retired Hellenic Coast Guard Officers.