5 January
A ceremony to present gallantry medals and certificates to the persons performing duties at risk of life was held at the Zeyathiri Beikman in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday afternoon, attended by Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Maha Thray Sithu Min Aung Hlaing, who delivered an address and awarded medals and certificates.
In his address, the Senior General spoke in honour of persons who were awarded medals and certificates for their valour and sacrifices made for the country and the people. It is the inborn duty of all citizens to safeguard the independence and sovereignty. It is a common knowledge that the Tatmadaw being an institution mainly responsible for national defence has been discharging the national duty well since the country regained independence up to the present day, sacrificing lots of lives, blood and sweat in accord with its fine historical traditions. As Tatmadaw members, their courageous wives, who are their good companions and life partners, are also discharging national defence duties at risk of life. Hence, the Tatmadaw has been holding the ceremony to honour the ones that have made supreme sacrifices, with military medals and certificates, annually on Independence Day. Thanks to the continuous emergence of martyrs who never hesitate to sacrifice life and are also willing to make utmost efforts in their service, the Tatmadaw has been standing tall in the world.
He said the ceremony will present gallantry medals to 15 persons, gallantry certificates of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services to three, and the honorary certificates of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services to six. At the same time, commanders of respective military command headquarters, on behalf of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, will give gallantry certificates of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services to 10 persons and honorary certificates of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services to 28.
The Senior General lauded the medal and certificate winners for their sacrifices for the country, and their valour and determination to overcome all sorts of difficulties. Come hell or high water, all Tatmadaw members must daringly accomplish their mission to safeguard the motherland and the people with unyielding spirit, he said.
The Senior General then presented gallantry medals to two Lt-Cols, three majors, two captains, two sergeants and six inheritors, gallantry certificates of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services to two colonels and one major, honorary certificates of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services to one colonel, four captains and one inheritor.
The Senior General and party hosted a tea party for the medal and certificate recipients and attendees.
Today, Thiha Thura title was awarded to one person, Thura title to three and gallantry medals to nine. The total number of military award recipients is six Aung San Thuriya title holders, 49 Thiha Thura title holders, 545 Thura title holders, six Thiha Bala medal holders, 1,860 gallantry record winners, 2,011 gallantry medal holders, 337 gallantry certificates of the Supreme Commander holders, 2889 gallantry certificates of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services winners, two honorary certificates of the Supreme Commander and 1713 honorary certificates of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services winners, according to the news released by Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services. —MNA (Translated by Kyaw Zin Lin)
