The sacrifice of our heroes mandates the continuation of the struggle to end the occupation, says the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – What did he say at the national memorial service for those who fell in the battles of Tellyria
If something characterized the heroes we commemorate today, it was none other than the endless mental and moral reserve they kept for every difficult hour, for every difficult moment of our country, said the Minister of Defense Vassilis Palmas, speaking at the national commemoration of the fallen in the battles of Tellyria in August 1964, which was held today Sunday at the Holy Church of Agios Raphael in Pachyammos.
He added that the incomparable heroic sacrifice of all of them acts as a thundering voice that calls and commands the continuation of the struggle we are conducting for the end of the occupation, liberation and reunification of our homeland. He also mentioned that with their heroic death they bequeathed us an inexhaustible legacy of values.
Every year on these days, Mr. Palmas said, we recall the tragic events that took place in the area of Tellyria in August 1964. Going up today to the land of martyrdom, the land that received the last breath of its brave defenders, we feel the historically charged aura, he added, adding that we recall the horrific images from the battlefields and the heartbreaking moments of a nightmare that continues to this day.
We respectfully go back in time and measure the still fresh wounds of our martyred homeland and reverently bow the knee to the proud defenders of the land of Tellyria to the brave commandos of the 31st Commando Squadron, to the fighters of the 206th and 216th Infantry Battalions and the 83rd and 85th Companies of the 8th Tactical Group, continued the Minister of Defense.
We bow, he said, to the heroic attitude of the men of the National Guard Company of Kato Pyrgos and Pachyammos, but also to the self-sacrifice shown by the seven victims of the submarine “Faethon”. of the Navy of the National Guard.
Accepting, he said, the Minister of Defense the blood-stained baton that was handed to us sixty years ago, we have the sacred obligation to renew the oath to continue the struggle, until the final vindication of our Cyprus.
He noted that the untouchable spirit combativeness of our heroic ancestors strengthens our faith, will and endurance in the struggle to remove the occupation, liberation and reunification of our homeland.
Mr. Palmas referred extensively to the events in Tellyria and the situation that preceded it, pointing out that these events were essentially Turkey's first attempt to invade Cyprus militarily, with the aim of overthrowing the newly established Republic of Cyprus and de facto dividing it island.
He also said that as part of the implementation of its expansion plans, Turkey has recently proceeded to gradually strengthen the enclave of the villages of Kokkina and Mansoura, with the aim of consolidating and gradually expanding it and merging it with that of Lefka and then with that of Nicosia – Kioneli. Ankara's ultimate goal was to control a geographically large part of Cyprus, creating with this development the destabilizing conditions it was looking for, he said. Lorovounos hill, where the victorious battles of the 31st commandos squadron had been fought, up to the forecourt of the church in the hero.
After the flame was touched, a memorial service was held in the monument area, an invitation by name of the fallen and laying of wreaths.
