Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias Attends Opening of Renovated 7th Cadet Company Building at Hellenic Military Academy

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Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias Attends Opening of Renovated 7th Cadet Company Building at Hellenic Military Academy

November 1, 2024

On Thursday, 31 October 2024, the Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias attended the opening of the renovated building of the 7^thCadet Company of the Hellenic Military Academy (Evelpidon).

The Minister of National Defence, who was welcomed by the Academy Commandant, Major General Anastasios Polychronos, was given a tour of the 7^thCadet Company renovated with a donation of the President and CEO of METLEN ENERGY & METALS, Evangelos Mytilineos.

He also had the opportunity to discuss with cadets and tour the renovated Academy History Museum.

The benediction was officiated by His Eminence, the Metropolitan of Glyfada, Elliniko, Voula, Vouliagmeni, and Vari, Mr. Antonios.

The opening ceremony was also attended by the Deputy Minister of National Defence Giannis Kefalogiannis, the Chief of Hellenic National Defence General Staff, General Dimitrios Choupis, the General Secretary of the Ministry of National Defence Antonios Ikonomou, the Chief of Hellenic Army General Staff, Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, the Chief of Hellenic Navy General Staff, Vice Admiral Dimitrios - Eleftherios KatarasHN, the Chief of Hellenic Air Force General Staff, Lieutenant General (HAF) Dimosthenis Grigoriadis, as well as active duty and retired officers and NCOs,

as well as the Mayor of Vari, Voula, and Vouliagmeni Grigoris Konstantellosand the donor, the President and CEO of METLEN ENERGY & METALS Evangelos Mytilineos.

Mr. Dendias, in his address for the opening ceremony, stated:

"Ladies and gentlemen, it will always be a special moment for me when I have the opportunity to be here at the Hellenic Military Academy, Greece's oldest educational institution, an integral part of History, an eternal guardian of our military excellence and tradition.

I want to be honest with you, as I always do, and tell you that, in order for Hellenism to survive, our Military Academies must be the top choice of our Country's youth. Because the Nation, the Armed Forces, need the best. So, to instil to the students the virtues of honour, discipline, dedication, the Country must provide an advanced training environment with modern facilities, a modern curriculum.

Only this will bring out the excellent characteristics that young leaders must have. So, we need to be able to provide essentially in order to support this effort.

Within this framework, the Country does whatever it can; I should reiterate, however, what was already said, that a characteristic of Hellenism has always been the donor tradition. I would like to remind you something you all know, that the most emblematic system in the History of modern Hellenism, Battleship Averof, came principally through a private donation. The renovation of this Academy building highlights this model of donors, Mr. Mytilineos, as well as your donation as an example to be imitated.

It is not just an act of benefaction, it is something bigger, and you know it. It is an act reinforcing the Armed Forces and, eventually, our Country's national defence.

I would now like to address you with the title bestowed to you by the Country upon approval of the President of the Republic. Honorary Brigadier General, I would like to express to you my deepest gratitude for your generous gesture, proof of your love for the Country and the Armed Forces.

And I would like to tell everyone here what you already know, that this benefaction is not the only one. Recently, your Group, you, METLEN but essentially you, Evangelos Mytilineos, undertook the cost for the new look of the Ministry of National Defence. The new look of the Ministry of National Defence, ladies and gentlemen, has been designed as an offer by one of the greatest living Greek sculptors, Kostas Varotsos. It also constitutes a symbolism, the transition of our Country's Armed Forces into the new century through the "2030 Agenda". The transition into a new era with the strongest Armed Forces of Hellenism ever.

And our country will remain strong when the private sector contributes to the social and state efforts.

I would now like to address the cadets. I am proud of you. I am very proud of the decision you made to connect your life with the honourable uniform of the Greek officer.

I am very proud of your choice to carry the national coat of arms, our Country's eternal symbol. I am very proud because the distinctions you pursue in life derive from the Country and serve the Country. And, as you advance in your career, they involve greater responsibilities, precisely to protect this Country. So, one again, I urge you to fulfil your constitutional duty with your all, because our Country needs strong Armed Forces commanded by enlightened leaders.

Thank you very much".