SNP80: President Pellegrini Thanks SNP Veterans for Their Bravery

Banska Bystrica/Bratislava, August 28 (TASR) - President Peter Pellegrini thanked veterans of the 1944 Slovak National Uprising (SNP) for the bravery and heroism at a meeting with SNP participants, organised on Wednesday by the SNP Museum in Banska Bystrica to mark the 80th anniversary of the historic event. "We come here to bow before you for what you did for our freedom and genuinely thank you for the sacrifices you made 80 years ago. However, I'd like to say that the time comes when we must honestly promise you, from the bottom of our hearts, that we will proudly and responsibly carry on the torch of the SNP's legacy and courage for future generations," stated Pellegrini. The meeting was attended by several WW2 veterans. One of them, Vladimir Strmen, recalled how they had formed resistance groups 80 years ago. "We heard from the Banska Bystrica broadcast that the Slovak nation had risen up against fascism and this was immediately followed up by the message 'Start the Eviction' - signalling an order to the army and resistance to engage the Germans in open conflict," he reminisced. Strmen pointed out that the guerrillas spent two months fighting against an overwhelming force and subsequently five months in the mountains. "The greatest respect and gratitude must be extended to the guerrilla fighters and soldiers who endured fighting in those terrible conditions. It was easy to lose our freedom, but very difficult to get it back," he said. mf/mcs