The Defense Minister, Teodor Melescanu and the Chief of the General Staff, Admiral Ph.D. Gheorghe Marin participated today, September 24, in the after-noon, on Suceava airport, to the repatriation of post mortem Second Lieutenant Ioan Grosaru, died on duty in mission in Iraq.

Comrades, representatives of the local administration, Generals and officers from the MoD were alongside the family and relatives.

The Minister's Order on appointment in rank of post mortem Second Lieutenant Ioan Grosaru was read during the military and religious ceremony.

They also presented the Decree on granting post mortem the Steaua Romaniei National Order in rank of Knight for military with signs of war as a sign of gratitude and appreciation for devotion proved by Ioan Grosaru during the mission and the Prime Minister's message.

I would like to shake hand with post mortem Second Lieutenant Ioan Grosaru, and to thank him for the missions he fulfilled in an extremely difficult theater of operations as Iraq is. It would be wonderful Ionel could be here with us, safe, near his family to whom he was devoted and needs him. Ionel, as all our military in out borders missions, assumed the danger with abnegation, dignity and professionalism. We will always remember his supreme sacrifice and he will always be in our minds stated the Defense Minister in his message at the end of ceremony.

The Second Lieutenant Grosaru's funerals will occur Tuesday, September 25, at 12 a.m. in Paiseni village, Suceava County.

MoD Press Office