“My only comfort is that my child left this life happy. I saw him… he was handsome. That’s how I will always remember him.”
With these words, shortly after returning home to Tympaki with the body of his son, the father of 19-year-old Raphael, Manos Galyfianakis, spoke—devastated—about the tragic loss of his child, who was killed by a grenade during training at the Afantou Firing Range in Rhodes.

Mr. Galyfianakis described the last moments he spent with his son, just one day before the exercise that turned into tragedy.
“I can even say I’m ‘happy’ in a way, because before I left on Tuesday, my son told me with a big smile: ‘Dad, tomorrow we’re going to throw grenades.’ I asked him, ‘Will you throw one too?’ He replied, ‘Of course—there’s no way I’ll miss the fun.’ He was so happy and excited,” he recalled.

According to creta24.gr, the father returned to Crete at noon from Rhodes, accompanying the body of 19-year-old Raphael. But his mind is also with the 39-year-old staff sergeant who was severely injured and is fighting for his life at the 401 Military Hospital.
“I’m thinking about the other young man at the hospital too. His condition is critical. From the bottom of my heart I hope he pulls through. He has two children… my heart goes out to them.”

Earlier in the morning, while still in Rhodes, he tried to leave a few flowers at the spot where his son was killed, but the strict protocols of the ongoing investigation did not allow it.
“I was trying to leave a flower… I understand the circumstances are difficult,” he said.

Investigations Continue

Mr. Galyfianakis knows that the official findings about what caused the tragedy will take time. What matters to him now is learning the truth about the circumstances under which his son was lost.
“What I want to say—especially to politicians—is this: I don’t want this to be exploited by the greens, the reds, the yellows, the pinks. The political leadership must look first at the people. The planes, the frigates, the submarines—fine. But all these are operated by human beings. And people have needs. Look after the people first.”

He says he draws strength from the overwhelming support he feels from across the country.
“I want to thank everyone for their support—not just the people of Tympaki and Crete. I’ve received messages from everywhere, from all over Greece. Thank you so much.”

He also expressed his gratitude to the general and the commander of the unit in Rhodes, who, as he said, “stood by me from the very first moment.”

39-year-old Staff Sergeant Amputated

It is noted that the grenade explosion also severely injured a 39-year-old professional staff sergeant, who suffered an amputation from the elbow as well as extensive shrapnel injuries to his torso and limbs.

The body of the 19-year-old is expected to arrive in Crete today on a C-130 aircraft of the Hellenic Air Force, while the funeral will take place on Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Titus Church in Tympaki.

Father’s New Heartbreaking Mantinada

This morning, Raphael’s father posted another deeply emotional Cretan mantinada, thanking everyone who has stood by the family during these painful days:

“Never would I have believed
yet now I’ve lived to see,
a young boy’s life extinguished
by a hand grenade’s fury…

A mother raised her child
to serve his homeland true,
and like a hero he fell
with his eyes closing for you…

Greece, you wear your mourning
for your Raphael today,
he fell upon your soil
and honored you that way…

A hero now, immortal,
and yes, that is your pride—
wrapped in the Greek flag
they dress his fallen side.”

“Have a safe journey, my brave boy… safe journey, MY SON,” he wrote.