The Minister of National Defence Gabriel Oprea, ordered that all military units across the country as well as units deployed abroad commemorate, through military and religious ceremonies, heroes Marius Florin Sfeches and Cristian-Petru Filip who were killed on duty in the theater of operations in Afghanistan. The ceremonies organized as token of respect and esteem for the two heroes are to be held on Monday, October 4, at 07.30 hrs.

In the commemoration ceremony organized at the ministry location participated the Minister of National Defence, Gabriel Oprea, state secretaries Viorel Oancea and Mihail Vasile-Ozunu, the Chief of General Staff, Admiral Gheorghe Marin, military and civilian personnel of the central military structures.

A minute’s silence in memory of the dead heroes and a religious service were held, then the defence minister’s order was read stipulating that the two soldiers were awarded the 2nd Lieutenant ranks; the Romanian President’s decree was read saying that 2nd Lieutenants Marius Florin Sfeches and Cristian-Petru Filip were awarded, post-mortem, the National Order Steaua Romaniei [Romanian Star, Rank of Knight] for military men, with war insignia.

Defence minister Gabriel Oprea signed the order to promote Lance Corporal Vasile Zbanca to the rank of Corporal, on Monday, October 4. The soldier had been injured on Friday, following the attack with an improvised exploding device. The defence minister has also awarded Corporal Vasile Zbanca \'Emblema Onoarea Armatei Romaniei\' [the Honour Emblem of the Romanian Armed Forces] as a token of respect for his devotion and courage during his mission in Afghanistan.

Vasile Zbanca had been transported by air from Kandahar to a regional hospital in Landstuhl (Germany) on Sunday, October 3. There he underwent surgery on both legs; his present evolution is good.

MoND Press Office