Deputy Defence Minister Nikolaos Chardalias attends the annual memorial service in honor of the Hero, 1st Lt (HAF Pilot) Nikolaos Sialmas

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Deputy Defence Minister Nikolaos Chardalias attends the annual memorial service in honor of the Hero, 1st Lt (HAF Pilot) Nikolaos Sialmas

June 17, 2022

On Friday, 17 June 2022, the Deputy Minister of National Defence, Mr. Nikolaos Chardalias, represented the Hellenic Government in the commemorative events, which were jointly organized by the Hellenic Air Force General Staff and Aghios Efstratios Municipality in honor of the killed in action Hero, First Lieutenant (AF) Nikolaos Sialmas. The events took place at Nikolaos Sialmas cape, in Aghios Efstratios island, where the memorial of the same name is located.

First Lieutenant (AF) Nikolaos Sialmas was killed in action defending our Country's sovereign rights on 18 June 1992, during an interception mission of Turkish fighters, which had violated the National Air Space, in Aghios Efstratios sea region. His heroic death earned him a place in the pantheon of Greek heroes and martyrs, who fell while on duty, defending the Greek skies.

The Deputy Minister of National Defence, following the conclusion of the memorial service, laid a wreath at the Hero's Memorial and delivered the following address:

"I am truly overwhelmed! I feel proud and touched to be here today, at the heart of our Greek islands, in the centre of our Aegean, representing the Hellenic Government, to convey the Prime Minister's personal salute to the entire Air Force family, which today honors the hero airman, Nikolaos Sialmas.

Tomorrow marks thirty years since the fatal air battle of 18 June 1992. On that day, First Lieutenant Sialmas, being a Pilot of 342 Squadron, with his usual professionalism and selfless devotion to duty, a characteristic that our Air Force staff steadily possess, took off for the last time, to intercept Turkish aircraft that had then violated the national air space. His heroic death earned him a place in the pantheon of Greek heroes and martyrs, who fell while on duty, defending the Greek skies.

First Lieutenant Sialmas' sacrifice presents an opportunity for us all to contemplate, feel grateful and be reminded of our duty. To contemplate with regard to the steady vigilance required for the defence of our sovereign rights; to feel grateful for the absolute, actual risk undertaken every day by our Armed Forces in order to protect the Greek air, land, and sea borders; and finally, to remind the State of its obligation to provide them with all necessary means to fulfill their mission and to always stand by both their side and their families' side.

Thirty years have lapsed since the unfair demise of the hero Officer, and everyday life in the Greek seas and skies has not changed. Nonetheless, we will always be here! The impenetrable wall built by our Armed Forces will always stand, wholly supported by Greek people. There will always be the untamed will and determination arising only from one soul: the Greek one. This shall not change!

I respectfully bow my head before our immortal pilot, whose blood sanctified the indisputable Greek sovereignty in the Aegean skies. I shall address the respectful family of the fallen hero, as well as the big Air Force family, paraphrasing Thucydides' words in Pericles' Epitaph: They may be deemed fortunate who have gained their utmost honor, whether an honorable death, as such has been the death of those fallen for the freedom of the country, or an honorable sorrow, as such felt by their relatives. Be proud of the hero you honor today, because he proudly flew to death, following the same path of honor and duty, taken by so many Greek warriors throughout the centuries.

To us remains the sacred obligation to protect the legacy he bestowed upon us, for a powerful, prosperous, and undefeated Greece against all threats. It is the least we owe to First Lieutenant Sialmas, to our country, to all Greek women and men. The skies are and will always remain ours! We shall not forget!

Thank you".

In the context of the event, the keynote speaker was Aghios Efstratios Mayor, Ms. Maria Kakali. An address was also delivered by the brother of the Fallen Hero, Mr. Konstantinos Sialmas, HAFGS/Chief Lieutenant General Themistoklis Bourolias, representing HNDGS/Chief General Konstantinos Floros, and the Right Reverend Father the Archimandrite Kyrillos, representing the Metropolitan of Limnos and Aghios Efstratios, Mr. Ierotheos.

The event, which Hero Sialmas' relatives honored with their presence, was attended by Limnos and Aghios Efstratios Provincial Governor, Mr. Angelos Vlattas Lambrinos, the Mayor of Thermos (the Hero's place of origin) Mr. Spyridon Konstantaras, the Commander of 88 Military Command Brigadier General Konstantinos Takopoulos, Armed Forces General Staffs and Police Forces delegations, as well as General and Senior Air Force Retired Officers.

Upon conclusion of the events, the Deputy Minister of National Defence Mr. Chardalias met with the Mayor of Aghios Efstratios, Ms. Maria Kakali.