MoD awards over 1000 medals on the occasion of the 70th Anniversary of the Liberation

: Published: Tuesday, 25 November 2014 17:00

In framework of the celebrations for the 70th Anniversary of the Liberation of Homeland, the Ministry of Defence organized today an awarding ceremony for the personalities who have contributed as participants in the fight for the liberation of the country.
1000 “Medal of Gratitude” and 20 “Medal of Honour” for outstanding services and in service of the country (10 medals from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and 10 medals from the Ministry of Interior (MoI), were awarded today in the eve of this jubilee.

The ceremony was attended by: Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Niko Peleshi, Minister of Defence, Mrs. Mimi Kodheli, Chairman of the Security Committee, Mr. Spartak Braho, Chief of General Staff, Major General Jeronim Bazo, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Ilir Mustafaraj, members of the Parliament, generals and senior military of MoD and MoI, National Liberation War’ veterans, and other guests.

In his address, Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Niko Peleshi among other said: “Each of this medals we award today has its own history that makes us proud. There are stories of individuals, men and women, which had the courage and responsibility to face the challenges of their duties. Veterans, they have left their mark in our country’s history, they faced the enemy in an unequal war and did this with dignity and heroism, because they fought for the freedom of their country, for the freedom of Albania”. Further, Mr. Peleshi said that, “today you are honoured with the medal of merit and certainly, it is an expression of gratitude for your extraordinary dedication to the duty. You have done for this country what not everyone would have been able to do. We are lucky to have among us people like you”, concluded his address Deputy Prime Minister Peleshi.
Later, Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Niko Peleshi handed “Medal of Gratitude”, awarded by the Minister of Defence, to the known historian Arben Puto with the motivation “For contribution given as participants in the fight for the defence of the country”.

Further, the Minister of Defence, Mrs. Mimi Kodheli, awarded the “Medal of Honor” to the professional soldier, Petrit Bruçi, which has fallen in the line of duty with the motivation “For bravery, courage and outstanding contribution risking life, and for outstanding virtue in carrying out with responsibility duties”. Minister Kodheli handed the medal to the son of the professional soldier, Petrit Bruçi, who said, “I was, I am and I will be proud of my father.”

The chairman of the Security Committee, Mr. Spartak Braho handed the “Medal of Gratitude”, awarded by the Minister of Defence, to the veteran, Kiço Negovani.

Major General Jeronim Bazo handed the “Medal of Honor”, awarded by the Minister of Defence, to Captain Enkelejda Tyrku.

The Deputy Minister of Interior, Mr. Ilir Mustafaraj handed the “Medal of Honor”, awarded by the Minister of Internal Affairs, to Commissioner Kujtim Osmënaj, pilot at the Helicopter Special Sector, while the Deputy Director General of State Police, Mr. Haki Çako, handed the “Medal of Honor”, to the vice commissioner Fatmir Kënga, doctor specialist, member of Special Forces at the Section of Operational Services.

The ceremony was concluded with a short concert with patriotic songs by the Men’s Choir of the Theater of Opera and Ballet.