The grand military parade marked the conclusion of today’s celebrations for the triple commemoration of Saint Demetrius, the patron saint of Thessaloniki, the anniversary of Thessaloniki’s liberation, and the national anniversary of October 28, 1940.

The parade of military and civilian units begun at 11:00 on the coastal avenue of Megalou Alexandrou, with Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias representing the government.

The government was represented by the Minister of National Defense, Nikos Dendias. Present, among others, were the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Vasilis Palmas the Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, Dimitrios Choupis; the Deputy Minister of Macedonia and Thrace, Kostas Gioulekas; the President of PASOK – Movement for Change, Nikos Androulakis; the head of SYRIZA’s Parliamentary Group, Nikos Pappas; the Secretary of ND’s Parliamentary Group, Stavros Kalafatis; the Mayor of Thessaloniki, Stelios Angeloudis; the Metropolitan of Thessaloniki, Philotheos; along with members of parliament, officials of the Armed Forces, and representatives of local government.

“We owe a debt to those who came, passed, will come, and will pass. Happy National Day, Greece,” said Squadron Leader Georgios Sotiriou, the F-16 pilot of the “ZEUS” team, in his message during the grand military parade for October 28 in Thessaloniki. His words moved the nation.

Squadron Leader Sotiriou’s words come from a poem by Kostis Palamas titled “Voices, Hearts, All Greeks.”

“With history present in every part of our homeland—on land, in the skies, and at sea—the Greek people honor you and place their trust in you. Happy National Day,” said the President of the Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou in her response.

October 28th: Who was the pilot of the Hellenic Air Force’s “ZEUS” Demonstration Team

As every year, the Hellenic Air Force’s “ZEUS” Demonstration Team participated in the parade, showcasing precise aerobatic maneuvers.

The pilot who took to the skies in an F-16C Block 52+ was Squadron Leader Georgios Sotiriou.

The pilot entered the Hellenic Air Force “Icarus” Academy in 2006 and was assigned to the 115 Combat Wing with F-16 Block 52+ aircraft in 2012. Since 2013, he has served in the 343 Squadron and has logged over 1,800 flight hours, 1,500 of which are in the F-16.