Thessaloniki dressed in blue and white and was flooded with emotion, pride and national unity to celebrate October 28th. The grandiose military parade on Alexander the Great Avenue was a tribute to those who fought and sacrificed for the freedom of Greece, while simultaneously highlighting the face of the new era of the Greek Armed Forces.
A parade with the “perfume” of the new era
This year’s 1940 national anniversary parade in Thessaloniki had a clear message: Greece honors the past but looks resolutely to the future. They were presented to the public for the first time new state-of-the-art weapon systemsamong which unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), anti-drone systems and artificial intelligence weaponswhich change the data in the defense power of the country.
Separate it Greek-made anti-drone system “Kentauros”which has already been successfully tested on Navy frigates as part of Operation Shields in the Red Sea, preventing Houthi drone attacks.
It also attracted particular interest Hyperion electronic warfare weaponwith capabilities to neutralize enemy drones and improvised explosive devices, intended for the surface units of the Navy.
They also participated in the parade Leopard tanks with special protective “cages” for increased defense, mini drones of the Naval Cadet School, unmanned helicopters and Vertical takeoff UAVsall leveraging potential artificial intelligence.
The public had the opportunity to see up close missiles, guided bombs and systems of high business valuereflecting the technological progress and deterrent power of the Greek Armed Forces.
The students of Athens honored the heroes of the 1940s
At the same time, in the center of Athens, a crowd of people gathered early around Syntagma Square to watch the student parade on Amalia Avenue.
Students from primary, secondary and high schools proudly marched in front of the Monument to the Unknown Soldier, receiving warm applause from citizens and officials.
All in all they marched 127 primary schools, 94 high schools and high schoolsas well as flag units, scouts, guides, students school for the deafrepresentatives of Special Olympics and groups with disabilitieswho moved the crowd with their participation and smile.
The student parade was an authentic celebration of youth and hope – a “thank you” from young people to those who wrote the epic of the ’40s.
Ceremonies, declarations and emotion in the Constitution
The day started with cannonades on Lycabettus at 06:47 in the morning, as per military protocol, marking the start of the celebration.
Followed by hoisting of the Greek flag on the Holy Rock of the Acropolis from the Euzones of the Presidential Guard and the established doxology in the Metropolis of Athenspresence of the political, military and religious leadership.
After the student parade, relatives of the victims of the Tempe accident they were at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier and left flowers in memory of their children, causing shivers of emotion.
This year’s October 28 proved that Greece honors its past with dignity and moves into the future with faith and technological strength.
From Thessaloniki to Athens, the message was common:
Unity, Democracy, Freedom.
And a promise that the “No” of 1940 will always sound like a “Yes” to life, peace and hope.