Greece commemorated "OXI Day," the anniversary of the nation's refusal to surrender to fascist aggression in 1940, with a military parade in the heart of Thessaloniki on Saturday.
Military units, including armored vehicles, tanks, infantry, and special forces, marched in front of Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the President of the Hellenic Republic.
Formations of Hellenic Air Force fighter jets soared over the city, creating a spectacular aerial display. The newly acquired French-made Rafale fighter jets and the Marder 1A3 armored combat vehicles and TTOA M1117 reconnaissance vehicles captured the attention of the public during this year's OXI Day event in Thessaloniki. However, it wasn't just Rafales gracing the skies; the legendary Spitfire MJ755 aircraft left a lasting impression. The parade also featured a demonstration by the "Zeus" single aircraft air demonstration team.
Following the conclusion of the parade in Thessaloniki, President Sakellaropoulou remarked, "Greece will continue to assert its national rights and remain a bastion of stability and peace in our broader region."
She added, "Today, on the anniversary of the heroic 'OXI,' we pay tribute to those who fought and sacrificed for our freedom and acknowledge our debt to them. The Armed Forces, inspired by the spirit that united the Greeks in the crucial moments of our history, defend our non-negotiable rights.
"In the turbulent and ever-changing international landscape we inhabit, Greece will continue to emphasize its national rights and remain a pillar of stability and peace in our broader region," Sakellaropoulou emphasized.
Earlier in the day, she laid a wreath at the Army Corps of Thessaloniki's premises.
In Athens, hundreds of students from various schools marched in front of the 'Unknown Soldier' monument on Amalia Avenue during the OXI Day school parade. The sunny day drew thousands of citizens to the center of Athens to witness the students' parade.
Most cities in Greece also hold student parades.
OXI Day, celebrated on October 28, 1940, marked the moment when Greeks stood united, putting aside their differences on all levels. Greece, unlike any other country in the world, commemorates the day it entered the war rather than the end of World War II.
OXI Day and March 25th (the day the Greek Revolution against the Ottoman Turks began) are the two National Days in Greece. On these days, there are parades featuring the Hellenic Armed Forces, with Thessaloniki hosting the event on October 28th and Athens on March 25th.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis attended the Doxology at the Holy Metropolitan Church of the Assumption of the Virgin in Chania, and afterward, he made the following statement:
"Today is a day of memory, honor, and pride, and our thoughts return 83 years to those who resolutely said 'NO,' to the young fighters in the Pindus Mountains and Albania. Our primary tribute goes to those who never returned to their families, to a warm home, or even to a decent burial.
"Eighty-three years later, our country stands as a pillar of stability in a troubled neighborhood. Our strong Armed Forces ensure our deterrence capability."
