Today at the central square of Tskhinval has been held a solemn ceremony to hand over the Banner of the Armed Forces of the Republic of South Ossetia to the Ministry of Defence of the Republic. The ceremony was attended by the President of South Ossetia Leonid Tibilov, supreme commanders and the staff of the South Ossetian Defense Ministry, members of the government and the Parliament, guests and residents of the Republic.
The ceremony began with trooping the Colour of the Armed Forces to the area where the president presented it to the Defense Minister Valery Yakhnovets.
Then it was read out the decree of the President on presenting the Banner of the Armed Forces of the RSO to the Ministry of Defence of South Ossetia.
"For outstanding contribution to the protection of the sovereignty and security of the territorial integrity of the Republic of South Ossetia I have signed a decree to present the banner of the armed forces of South Ossetia to the Defense Ministry of the RSO as an official symbol and military relic of honor, glory, and military traditions of the staff of Defence Ministry." - is stated in the decree.
Addressing the participants of the ceremony, Leonid Tibilov noted the importance of today's event in the history of the Republic, in strengthening its sovereignty and defense potential.
"The Banner of the armed forces is considered to be a military relic of any state. Each of us knows how important, along with the national flag, a banner of the Armed Forces is. Having it in their hands soldiers rush to the last fight, and with the loss of the battle flag a military unit ought to be disbanded. The battle flag is a kind of shrine, we must cherish as the apple of an eye, "- said the president.
He added that the military officers and soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Republic were the bearers of the glorious military traditions of the Ossetian people and expressed confidence that he had handed over the banner to safe hands.
"I am confident that you will not disgrace the memory of the valiant defenders of the Fatherland, who brought their life on the altar of freedom and independence of our country, will keep and honor the shrine as a symbol of trust of the state in its army. You have been ensuring peace and tranquility in our land. I have no doubt that our young army will have the glorious future ", - said the head of state.
Defense Minister Valery Yakhnovets also noted the importance of the event.
"Banner as a special relic, which embodies special traditions of the history of our country, like the sacred duty of every citizen to serve his fatherland," - he said.
He assured the President that the Defense Ministry would justify his trust.
"We undertake to cherish and honor the entrusted shrine a sacred symbol of the confidence of the state," - he said.
Then it was held a ceremony of consecration of the new Armed Forces Flag of South Ossetia. The event ended with a solemn march of the Defense Ministry sub-units.
