On Friday, the traditional military parade will see several hundred representatives of the Army, the police, customs, the Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Service (CGDIS), the prison administration, the Red Cross, as well as musical groups from the Union Grand Duke Adolphe parade down Avenue de la Liberté in the capital.
Among them is Sergeant Salalidis, platoon leader for the Luxembourg army. He joined the Army at the end of 2020 and this parade is a big first for him.
The Sergeant has been training with his platoon for this event for several months and “up to three times a week as we get closer to June”, he explained. Practice is essential as “training makes you a professional”.
On the big day, Sergeant Salalidis will play a significant role as he is responsible for ensuring that his platoon is well coordinated by setting the pace. All under the gaze of the Grand Duke, the Prime Minister, and perhaps just as important, that of his family.
For him, it is an honour to parade in front of the Grand Duke and celebrate Luxembourg’s National Day. In a way, it is a dream come true: “It’s important for all soldiers and we’re doing it for the Grand Duke.”
Max Delvaux, 27, has been an officer with the CGDIS for three years. He will also be a first-time participant of the parade. A volunteer firefighter since 11 years, he now oversees the planning of emergency arrangements for major events.
The young firefighter has been preparing for several weeks now, practicing marching and performing the various turns with his company. It is a stressful moment, but one that he is still eagerly awaiting.
Delvaux was already given this opportunity last year, but he was unable to attend due to a mission abroad. But this year, “when I got the chance, it was immediately clear to me that I was going to take part”. The selection was made on the basis of the final results of the firefighter training course, which the commander passed last year.
For him, “it’s an honour to represent the CGDIS, but it’s also National Day, something very special”. And it is all the more important because he will be in charge of one of the two platoons on Friday, in front of his family and friends and the Grand Duke.
