The Ministry of National Defence organizes military and religious ceremonies to mark the national holiday Heroes` Day, on Thursday June 9.

Wreath-laying ceremonies will be organized at the Israeli Cemetery 'Filantropia', at 10.00 hrs, at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Carol Park, at the Monument of Military Heroes who fell on duty in theaters of operations and at home, at the National Palace of Children, the Monument of Homeland Heroes - 'Carol I' National DefenceUniversity and Ghencea Military Cemetery, at 12.00.

Similar wreath-laying ceremonies will be organized in garissons across the country with the support of local authorities, schools, churches, veterans' associations and NGOs. Ceremonies will be organized also with the support of diplomatic missions in Romania, in memory of the Romanian heroes who died in missions abroad.

The Romanian troops deployed at the military base in Kandahar will pay homage to heroes at the wayside cross in the Romanian camp by a solemn roll call in memory of the soldiers who fell on duty in the theaters of operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq and Afghanistan.

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As a token of recognition for their sacrifice, Decree Law No. 1.693 of May 4, 1920, stipulated that Heroes` Day be national holiday, celebrated 'with great religious, school, military and national pomp on Ascension Day. The decision was taken over by the Romanian Parliament in 1995 whereas in 2003, theLaw on war monuments and commemorative works sets that Ascension Day be a nationalholiday of the Romanian people.

All churces will toll the bells at 12.00 hrs., while public institutions and schools will keep a moment of recollection as a token of respect for the heroes of the homeland. The commemoration will begin after the mass for Ascension Day.

Press Department