Czech officials commemorate Veterans Day in Prague at Vítkov National Memorial

Prague, Nov 11 (CTK) – Czech top brass, politicians and the public commemorated the victims of and participants in wars at the Prague Vítkov National Memorial on the Veterans Day today.

At the ceremony, the Defence Ministry decorated eight personalities and one modern war veteran was promoted to the rank of colonel. Further events are held across the Czech Republic.

At the Vítkov Memorial, the senior officials laid wreathes under the equestrian statue of Jan Zizka, a 15th century general of the Hussite army.

The event was attended by Senate chairman Jaroslav Kubera, the Chamber of Deputies deputy chairman, Vojtech Pikal, and Prague Mayor Zdenek Hrib.

Eight personalities received the National Defence Cross or the Defence Minister Cross of Merit.

Bretislav Mizera, who took part in two peace-keeping missions in 1993 and 2003, was promoted to the rank of colonel.

The National Defence Cross was given to war veteran Jarmila Halbrstatova, who took part in the Sokolovo, Kiev and Dukla Pass battles on the Eastern front.

The same medal was bestowed on Zoe Klusakova, who, along with her mother and brother, provided the help to the families persecuted by the Gestapo.

In the Czech Republic, the Veterans Day has been observed since 2001. There are about 340 World War Two veterans and over 15,000 veterans of recent missions in the Czech Republic.

Chief of Staff Ales Opata said traditions were of major importance to the troops. He spoke of the Czechoslovak World War One fighters against the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy and World War Two fighters.

“Today, we are following up these legends,” Opata said.