The exclusion of relatives from the religious burial ceremonies of those who fell during the 1940-41 Epic Continues
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Greece in Tirana continue to diligently exclude children and relatives of the fallen from religious burial ceremonies.
Yesterday, they unexpectedly announced that a religious ceremony for the burial of 573 fallen soldiers would be held today at the Kleisoura Military Cemetery. Without any prior notification to relatives, as was also done on July 13 with the burial of 100 fallen soldiers at the Vouliarata Military Cemetery.
It is unthinkable, unprecedented and inhumane for the burial to take place without the children and relatives of the fallen being given the opportunity to attend. For them to be informed only through press releases from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that burial ceremonies are taking place, but without their presence being made possible at a ceremony they have patiently awaited for 78 years.
It is obvious that the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs fails to realize that this issue is not suitable for exploitation. If, nevertheless, the Minister of Foreign Affairs wants to monopolize the progress of restoring the pending issue as his personal achievement, we should gladly recognize it and grant it to him. However, let him respect the memory of the fallen and the pain of the children and their relatives.
Note: It is at least offensive that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Relatives will only be able to attend the celebrations on October 28. They have been doing this for decades, when others were absent, unaware, and unconcerned about this issue.
George I. Sourlas
President of the Association of Children, Relatives & Friends of the Fallen during the 1940 – 41 War
