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- Ελληνικά
It is with deep emotion and a sense of honour that we are here today to honour the memory of our heroes who fell for our country during the Turkish invasion and to pray for the recovery of our missing.
Although half a century has passed, the images of uprooting, anguish and heartbreak are still fresh and the anguish indescribable every time the memory returns to the treacherous coup and the brutal Turkish invasion. The catastrophe of 1974 remains the unshakable reference point for every citizen of our country, who 50 years later still suffers from the traumas caused by the unspeakable tragedy of the Turkish invasion and the ongoing occupation.
Thousands of families were torn apart, thousands of people were forced to leave their homes, believing it to be a temporary situation, but unfortunately they never came back. Others abandoned their jobs and their hard-earned businesses.
The brave men and women of Cyprus and our Greek brothers were called upon to defend our homeland in defiance of death.
Our fallen, those who gave their lives for our homeland and our missing are our heroes. They are those who with courage and self-sacrifice fought for the freedom and independence of Cyprus. They are those who fought unequal battles with the Turkish invader but at no time did they shrink. Because the words retreat and submission were unknown to them. "Andreios is he who is not afraid of the honoured death". And you were not afraid. Neither the enemy, nor Death.
- Andreas Violaris, son of Kyriakos and Angela, born on 10.7.1944. He volunteered for the army on 10.7.64 and was shot in his camp in the line of duty on 24.10.1965
- Michalakis Tyrimou, son of Nikolis and Georgia, born 16.2.1954. He was a soldier in the 361st Infantry Battalion. Place of arrest/disappearance: Akanthou on 19.8.74. Murdered in cold blood in the neck. His remains were identified in 2007.
- Nicodemus Charalambous, son of Hampi and Maria. Born on 25.7.1944. He was a reservist in the 306 Infantry Battalion. Place of arrest/disappearance: Kyrenia on 25.7.74. His remains were identified in 2010. Murdered in cold blood.
- Dimitrios Thomas Ioannou, son of Thomas and Polyxeni, born 18.11.1946. He was a reservist in the 306th Infantry Battalion. Place of arrest/disappearance, the villages of Temblos-Agios Georgios on 22.7.74. His remains were found 39 years later and were riddled with bullet holes. They were identified by the DNA method.
The aforementioned fallen heroes of the community of Kalo Chorio Orini honoured their homeland with their heroic sacrifice and entered the Pantheon of Heroes of Cyprus and Hellenism. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten and will be a beacon for future generations.
My Dears,
Our missing persons, who have not yet returned, remain deeply engraved in our hearts. The search to determine the fate of our missing has not stopped and will not stop until all the answers are given and justice is done.
- Nikolaos Violaris, son of Giannakis and Styliani, born on 15.3.1956. He was a soldier in the 70TMX Battalion. Place of arrest/disappearance: Lapithos on 6.8.74. Missing since then.
- Kostas Charalambous, son of Panagiotis and Evdokous, born 25.5.1949. He was a reservist in the 306 Infantry Battalion. Place of arrest/disappearance: Bellapais-Teblos area on 22.7.74. Missing since then.
We will never forget the two missing persons of the community of Kalo Horio Orini and we are working tirelessly to locate them and return them to their loved ones.
Dear relatives of the fallen and missing, we understand the pain and anguish you have experienced for so many years and we experience it with you as a society. Loss and uncertainty are burdens you carry every day. Not knowing the fate of your loved ones has been an open wound for you and all of society for 50 years. A daily struggle of pain and despair.
On the occasion of today's memorial service, we renew our commitment to continue our efforts to determine the fate of all our missing persons. As we all know, behind every missing person there is a family that waits with patience and a society that demands answers.
Friends
The resolution of the Cyprus problem remains a key priority of the Republic of Cyprus. I convey to you the assurance that despite the difficulties, we will never stop our efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem. We envision a free and reunited homeland, run by its legitimate inhabitants, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins. We dream of a homeland that offers its inhabitants conditions of security, peace and prosperity.
Despite the challenges, difficulties and problems we face, we do not accept the occupation, the present state of affairs cannot be the future of our homeland. The efforts for the liberation and reunification of this land will continue tirelessly, despite the intransigent attitude of Turkey and the T/C side who are setting conditions for a return to the negotiating table.
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