Four military members honoured, Xhaçka: Respect to those who appear first where human lives are in danger

: Published: Wednesday, 29 November 2017 18:10

On the occasion of 73^rd anniversary of liberation of Albania, the Minister of Defense, Olta Xhaçka honored four military members with the medal of gratitude, who have contributed to the salvation of human lives inside and outside the country. The activity organized with soldiers and veterans in the "Skenderbej" garrison, was also attended by Prime Minister Edi Rama.

“I will honor those who go first to fire spots or homes flooded from torrential rains. It is the simple professionals, the unnamed heroes who are found first where a human life is in danger, where a bridge is to be built, or where refugees in international waters want help. I will start with First Sergeant Sajmir Balla, this guy who saved a newborn baby in Zenisht, in Burrel, in very severe weather conditions.

Construction of roads and bridges by the engineer battalion, destruction of rock massifs is laborious work, in difficult conditions, which precedes consequences that can be caused by isolation, bad weather, or emergencies caused by it. Support battalion’s guys are always present in communities and to citizens when local government opportunities have exhausted. Fatjon Lulja, who receives the medal of gratitude, is today is one of hundreds of guys working in the cold winter and summer heat to make citizens' lives easier.

Evacuation of residents in emergencies is one of the most responsible tasks in the Armed Forces. And in the multitude of stories in flooding, I want to remind you of the beginning of this year, where over 30 families in the Vajgurore Bridge were endangered by the raging stream of water. The father of two children, Sergeant Ervin Todo, has entered almost underwater homes to evacuate children, men and women, as he did this summer during firefighting operations.

There are about 1 thousand lives saved by our military members in international waters. A few days ago, Oriku ship came back home, which for a year, with its 6 crew contributed to the Aegean Sea search and rescue operation, whose engagement was highly valued by NATO. All Orik's crew deserves to be decorated today. But I believe, in their name, this medal should be held today by Esmeralda Murati, the mother of two children, a nurse who together with doctor Aurela Bala were the first girls seeking to be part of our mission in the Aegean Sea, and Oriku ship as the great life savior which does not differentiate between nationalities”, said the Minister of Defense.

Also, in her speech, Minister Xhacka expressed her gratitude to the veterans and representatives of their organizations, who with the blood and sacrifice of thousands of comrades made possible the birth of a free, independent, war-winning Albania.

"Their epic endurance and worth deserves to be marked in our national conscience, and I think that this marked date should serve to remember not only the heroes of the war, but to reflect on the sacrifice of everyone serving the homeland with self-sacrifice, not only in times of war but also in times of peace ", said Xhacka.

Present at this event was also the Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama, who after greeting the Armed Forces and veterans focused on one the goals expected to be realized during the nationwide year of Gjergj Katriot Skanderbeg.

"A special Youth-Talent-Opportunity-Dignity "mission will be entrusted to the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Education, in cooperation with the Kosovo Security Forces and the Ministry of Education, along with the assistance of our international partners, to launch during the Nationwide Year an optional program baptized as "Red and Black Wings (R '& B' Wings)" for providing ethical and military knowledge, in the form of a contracted service, to young people without a clear educational or professional orientation, "said Prime Minister Rama.

Likewise, during this event, a documentary made by the Ministry of Defense was put on, showing the work of Armed Forces over the years.

Defense Minister’s full speech held on the occasion of 73^th anniversary of Liberation of Albania