April 30 is the Day of the Georgian Army, when the Georgian Armed Forces celebrate the 30th anniversary of establishment.
On this occasion, a solemn event was held at the base of the Vaziani, IV Mechanized Brigade.
The Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili, President Salome Zurabishvili, the Minister of Defense Juasher Burchuladze and other officials addressed the public at the event.
In his speech, PM Garibashvili noted that the Georgian army is one of the main guarantors of the country’s sovereignty and freedom, and the main symbol for Georgia.
“I would like to congratulate all the soldiers who serve our homeland with dignity, high professionalism and dedication and who are ready to protect the freedom of our country. I would like to congratulate our proud veterans who proudly and unwaveringly defended the integrity of our country and its sovereignty. I would like to congratulate our citizens, because the Georgian army is one of the main guarantors of our country’s sovereignty and freedom and the main symbol of our statehood.
“I would like to honor our heroes who fell for the sovereignty and freedom of our country and world peace, our fighters who sacrificed themselves for Georgia. They showed everyone the fighting spirit of a Georgian man and devotion to the homeland. We bow before their heroism. I congratulate and express our gratitude to our wounded warriors who fill us with pride with their unbroken spirit.
“Today symbolizes the patriotism and constant readiness of the Georgian people to defend the independence of our country, the freedom, sovereignty, territorial integrity of our people, and to make our own worthy contribution to strengthening world security,” Garibashvili said.
The first regular military was established in the first Georgian Republic in 1918 and was in existence until after the republic’s overthrow by the invading Soviet Russian forces in 1921. The modern Georgian military was founded in accordance with the government decree of 24 April 1991. April 30, 1991, was the day the first conscripts were called up for military service.
By Ana Dumbadze
