The hussar is more than a mounted soldier, "we are the hussar", the essence of our national character dressed in uniform, the Minister of National Defense declared on Saturday in Nyíregyháza.
Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky reminded at the opening of the 18th Hussar meeting in Nyíregyház that the Hungarian nation gave the world a whole type of troops, and its traditions are cherished almost all over the world, but due to the destruction of socialism and communism, the Hungarians have done away with it and forgotten the institution of the hussars .
The Hungarian hussar is creative, intelligent, quick, self-motivated, brave, proud and self-confident, and these are all qualities that are not only military virtues, but also the basis of competitiveness between nations today.
said the head of the ministry.
At the ceremony held at the Orzágzászló tér equestrian statue, the minister explained that the Hungarian hussars are the modern-day descendants of the conquering cavalry ancestors and the keeper of their memory, who put his comrade and friend, the horse, above all else. The members of the last generation of hussars were the oppressed of a dictatorial system, from whom the entire nation was ungratefully turned away, they were denied the honor they earned with blood, the respect and care of the memory of their fallen comrades, and then they were demoted and persecuted, he added.
As he said, during these years it seemed that the Hungarian hussars were doomed to be completely forgotten, however, with the relaxation of the system, some elderly officers brought home the "regimental treasures" hidden abroad, the flags, relics and portraits of long-standing hussar regiments, and these were placed in museums for the care of foundations trusted.
The times have come when the Hungarian Armed Forces once again accepted this spiritual heritage, once again taking care of nurturing the traditions, so that the Hungarian hussar can finally find their home again, where the memory of the heroes is honored and respected.
he said. In his speech, Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky also thanked the enthusiastic traditionalists who spared no time, money or energy to forget the Hungarian hussar, stressing that they will continue to support them in this important work.
He explained that the first modern cavalry unit named after Count Ferenc Nádasdy was formed a few years ago, and this year it was organized into a hussar division, which carries on the legacy of the oldest regular Hungarian regiment founded in 1688. According to his words, the recently established and improved territorial defense will also have cavalry units, but even the professional, professional army cannot afford not to have the special operations unit, which requires violent reconnaissance and high mobility, appear in its ranks.
"It is impossible for the hussar tradition to be preserved only by English armored personnel carriers or French paratroopers, they are doing well and we thank them, but we also have to; soon there will again be a modern, non-horsed hussar unit performing important combat tasks in the Hungarian Armed Forces"
said the Minister of National Defence.
Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky indicated that the full rearmament and supply of the Hungarian army with NATO-compatible equipment had already started years ago, the Ukrainian-Russian war only accelerated this, and the lessons learned made it necessary to purchase new equipment.
The Hungarian defense industry with a long history is being built, the organization of the national defense is being transformed, military education is in focus, and the cabinet and the ministry are paying a lot of attention to the construction of territorial defense
- concluded the Minister of National Defence.
Minister of National Defense Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky (j2) and Colonel-General Gábor Böröndi, Chief of the General Staff of the Honvéd (j) march in front of the traditional hussars of the XVIII.
At the Nyíregyháza Huszár meeting on Orzázzászló square in Nyíregyháza on August 26, 2023. MTI/Attila Balázs
At the opening, Ferenc Kovács (Fidesz-KDNP), the mayor of Nyíregyháza, emphasized that such events provide a great opportunity to bring to life the world-famous weapon and its mentality, courage, recklessness, endurance and quick situational awareness.
Although the hussars no longer have a living representative, the city administration's definite goal is to preserve, nurture and pass on the hussar spirit, the city manager noted.
The first hussar meeting was held in August 1991 at the county seat of Nyírség, when almost three hundred former hussars, most of whom served in the Second World War, greeted the hussar statue erected in their honor. Since then, the commemoration has been held regularly, in odd-numbered years, and at this year's ceremony, those interested could traditionally watch the parade of the hussar bands, the honor squadron and the military band.
After the ecumenical thanksgiving, representatives of the national defense, the government, the city and the county laid wreaths on the pedestal of the statue, the program continued in the afternoon with a family day in the Sóstó Museum Village.
MTI
Cover image: Traditional hussars of the 18th century.
At the Nyíregyháza Huszár meeting on Orszászló tér in Nyíregyháza on August 26, 2023. MTI/Attila Balázs
