We have done an awful lot, but we still have a lot of work to do for the revival of the Hungarian Defence Forces, and of the whole country – said Minister of Defence Dr. Hende Csaba at the swearing-in ceremony held in the morning of August 20.

The Minister of Defence underlined: the sworn in lieutenants will work, and if required fight, in their whole life so that the Hungarian freedom, the Hungarian homeland should live. The Minister continued: in the course of our history there were always people who fulfilled the mission “For the Homeland unto Death!” – That’s why we are here yet. “There are still people today, who live up to this principle: our honvéd soldiers, who in the past year have stood their ground in every urgent situation”, added the Minister. Hende Csaba expressed his appreciation to the soldiers, who served in missions, and commemorated the four Hungarian soldiers, who died a hero’s death in Afghanistan last year. He emphasized that the Hungarian Defence Forces did their part in the inland catastrophe situations as well. “When you have sworn the oath, you will join this persevering community once and for all time”, the Minister told the swearing-in officers.

Hende Csaba said: in the past year the field of home defence was also put in order, and construction could commence. Among the achievements he recited the adoption of the new Fundamental Law and the new Act on Home Defence, the establishment of the system of reservists, the setting up of the HDF Crown Guard and the HDF Ludovika Battalion. The Minister also touched upon the intention to revive the Hungarian defence industry, and the National Public Service University (NKE) to start in 2012. “We have done a lot, but we still have a lot of work to do. This work is your work, too from now on. I call you: Let’s work together”, said Hende Csaba.

After the speech of the Minister the newly graduated young officers of the Zrínyi Miklós National Defence University took the oath. Then the sixty one newly sworn in soldiers cried the traditional Ludovika motto: , and swung their swords. Following the oath-taking, President of the Republic Dr. Schmitt Pál made a speech. The Head of State highlighted that the soldiers serving with the HDF have a new commission these days: they must renew the soul of the nation with love of homeland.

(Ministry of Defence, Zrínyi Média)