Kalinak: Dukla Symbol of Freedom&Victory but Also of Stories of Fallen Soldiers

Vysny Komarnik, 3 October (TASR) - Dukla is a symbol of freedom and victory, but also of the stories of the young soldiers who gave their lives during the fighting, Defence Minister Robert Kalinak (Smer-SD) stated in a speech during the celebrations marking the 82nd anniversary of the Dukla Pass Battle on Saturday. Kalinak emphasised the importance of commemorating the victims of the Carpathian-Dukla Operation for present-day generations as well, describing peace as one of the most important values. "Dukla is home. It is an image of freedom and happiness. Dukla is the scent of victory. And Dukla is the story of a young soldier with a photo of his mother in his rucksack, who fell after taking just two steps on his homeland's soil," he summarised, adding that the story of Dukla is also the story of nations that wanted their homeland back and to live freely once more. According to the defence minister, it also serves as a reminder of the courage of people who were able to stand up to their own fear. "If you look at the dates of birth of the victims who remain in these places, they are boys, they are young people who perhaps had more courage and held their homeland in higher regard than many prominent politicians, even of our own time," he observed. am