24 April - The Presidential Guard

 A late start for the day (some of the Devout members of the tour group attended the Easter midnight Mass and earnt a sleep in... and there were other slackers who just opted for the sleep in... I'll let you guess which group Karen and I were in!).

The tour group assembled in the foyer for a short walk to the barracks of the Presidential Guard (these are the soldiers who guard the tomb of the uunknown soldier, the President's residence and other key locations).  Our group was priveleged to be able to share the Guard's family day.  We congregated outside and then Brigadier Jeffrey (so much for keeping a low profile!) was invited to meet the Commanding Officer (this was a complete, but pleasant, surprise!!!).  The CO was a delightful gentleman who had an affinity to Australians... having been born in Sydney!

The CO invited the whole group for a briefing on the history, role and conditions of service for his unit.  He commenced the briefing with a very warm, genuine and heartfelt welcome. He reminded us of the gratitude of the Greek people... as 'only Australians, New Zealanders and British have shed blood with Greeks'!  [for those new to the blog... 75% of the tour group are descendants of Australian soldiers who fought in Greece in 1941].  He was very respectful and thankful.

Presidential Guard (Evzones) link


At the conclusion of the briefing, the CO presented me with a plaque (adding to the surpises of the day) and he also presented the group with a plaque. I intend to give the plaque to an appropriate organisation/group so that it might be seen by many (ie possibly the Australian War Memorial or the Australian-Hellenic group?).  I presented the CO with a Commander 11th Brigade 'coin'... there was an odd irony in this because one side of the coin has the 11th Brigade crest and colour patch, the obverse has a Spartan helmet atop crossed swords (the 'Spartan Award' was introduced into 11th Brigade to promote higher standards of fitness).  On presentation, I explained the symbolism and I think the CO was quite taken by the linkage.

At the Head Table...

After the briefing and presentation we joined the Guard and their families for lunch.  Last of the surprises... guess where Karen and I got to sit! Yep, the head table with the CO, his charming wife and children and other members of his family.  Karen and I now felt doubly priveleged!!

Lunch was a traditional Greek meal... salad, bread, lamb and wine!  The freshness and subtle differences in spices/flavours means that you don't get tired of this cuisine!!  (I am scaring myself... I sound like one of the 'fops' on My Convicted Masterchef Rules programs!!).  Of course we had to finish with Baklava!

Throughout the dinner there was entertainment!  A soundtrack of traditional Greek music... and members of the Guard performed traditional dances in the variations of traditional costume/uniforms that they wear (summer uniform-white uniform in previous photos; winter uniform-black uniform; and a traditional Cretan uniform).  The soldiers who danced only had two weeks to prepare and they did a fantastic job!!

Cretan Uniform

Winter Uniform

Karen teaching line dancing!

Summer Uniform

Soldiers chosen for the Presidential Guard have to meet strict requirements:
a.  187cm or taller
b.  Well-built
c.  Perfect state of mind
d.  High character and morale
e.  Belief in the Evzones mission [Evzone is the 'rank/title' given to soldiers of the Guard]

We had a wonderful day and felt especially priveleged to have shared the day with the officers, soldiers and families of the Greek Presidential Guard! 

Early to bed... early start for the next day!!