War Veterans Day was marked on Wednesday with a military and religious ceremony at the Monument of the Heroes of the Nation, in front of the Carol I National Defence University in Bucharest.
The Te Deum service was officiated by a group of military chaplains. Fr Ciprian Ioniță, Patriarchal Counsellor and coordinator of the Social-Philanthropic Sector of the Patriarchal Administration, took part in the commemoration ceremony.
Speaking to Basilica.ro, Fr Ioniță said the day “is dedicated to recognising the merits of servicemen who fought to defend the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.”
“The date was chosen to mark the moment when King Carol I of Romania promulgated the High Decree establishing, for the first time, the title of War Veteran. This title was awarded to survivors of the War of Independence 25 years after the beginning of mobilisation,” he added.
Remembrance and Commitment
The event was attended by Mircea Abrudean, President of the Romanian Senate, along with representatives of the Ministries of National Defence and Internal Affairs, as well as war veterans, who laid wreaths at the Monument of the Heroes of the Nation.
The ceremony concluded with a military parade by the Michael the Brave 30th Guards Brigade.
In a message posted on social media, the Senate President expressed support for war veterans:
“Today is War Veterans Day. We owe respect and gratitude to those who served Romania with courage and dignity. I also think of the veterans’ families, who, in their own way, fought the same struggle. They too deserve our respect.”
“I believe gratitude alone is not enough. We have a duty to strengthen Romania’s security and to treat national defence with seriousness. Romania’s veterans deserve not only our remembrance, but also our actions,” he added.
National Day of Honour
War Veterans Day was established as a national observance in 2007. Its symbol is the Romanian peony.
The Ministry of National Defence of Romania organises military and religious ceremonies nationwide to honour Romania’s war veterans.
Photo: Cristian Dobre
