President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova honored today Major General Gregory Knight, Commander of the Vermont National Guard, with the Order of Military Merit at a ceremony.
General Knight is receiving the high Macedonian decoration for his exceptional contribution to military cooperation and deepening of the Macedonian-American friendship.
Awarding the order, President Siljanovska-Davkova pointed out that the leadership and dedication of the US Major General Knight helped create numerous generations of excellently trained Macedonian officers, NCOs and soldiers.
She recalled that the Vermont National Guard has been supporting the Macedonian military for three decades, as a qualified, experienced and dedicated training partner, but also as a trusted ally on the path to peace, stability and democracy.
Presenting the medal to Major General Knight, the President said that this state award is not only an expression of gratitude for his tireless and valuable work, but also of our respect for the values that he personifies: dignity, integrity, credibility, discipline, courage, empathy, morality.
Major General Gregory Knight, at the ceremony, emphasized that the medal belongs to thousands of soldiers from the Vermont National Guard, who were involved in the 35-year cooperation.
“This partnership is certainly the most significant part of my military career of almost 43 and a half years. I have been coming to Macedonia for almost 25 years; the experience and the travels have been incredible. For me, the friendships that I have created here are real, sincere and deep”, Major General Knight said.
Before the ceremony, the President and the General met and agreed that Vermont’s support was crucial in preparing the country for NATO membership, meeting Alliance standards and improving interoperability with other NATO forces.
Below is the full text of President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova’s address at today’s ceremony.
Honorable Commander of the Vermont National Guard, Major General Gregory Knight,
Distinguished Ambassador of the United States of America, Your Excellency, Angela Aggeler,
Respected Representatives of the Vermont National Guard and the Embassy of the United States of America,
Esteemed Chief of Staff, Major General Sasko Lafchiski,
Today’s meeting and today’s ceremony commemorate and honor the friendship and partnership between our two countries, our two armies, our two peoples.
It is a special honor for me to present the Order of Military Merit to the Commander of the Vermont National Guard, Major General Gregory Knight.
Let me tell you why I am honored.
More than three decades ago, the cooperation between the Vermont National Guard and the Macedonian Army was born. For 30 years, it has stood resolutely and steadfastly by the Macedonian army forces, not only as a qualified, experienced and dedicated trainer in numerous military and security trainings, but also as a trusted ally on the path to peace, stability, and democracy. The cooperation that began with a modest exchange of knowledge and experience has grown into one of the most successful and enduring military partnerships.
General Knight, your leadership has strengthened and given a special stamp to the US-Macedonian partnership in ways that cannot simply be measured in years, missions or programs. Under your leadership, the cooperation has achieved extraordinary professional and humane results, shaping generations of officers, NCOs, and soldiers, enhancing and strengthening our interoperability, and preparing our military for professional and equal service, shoulder to shoulder with NATO allies.
Your dedication has gone beyond the boundaries of routine duties. You have introduced a spirit of respect, understanding and genuine companionship that I have felt myself during my meetings with you. You were the chief architect in building bridges between the two nations, solid, unbreakable bridges of trust that our joint military forces will walk on long after today’s ceremony.
Deployed in many missions, we lived as one military family, caring for each other, helping each other, learning from each other.
As a result of your leadership, our armed forces have become stronger, more capable and more connected to our allies, and as a result of your energy, love and spirit, the citizens of Vermont and the citizens of Macedonia have many times been united as one!
Today, with gratitude, I, my country, and the Macedonian armed forces recognize your extraordinary achievements and contributions.
The Order of Military Merit is an expression not only of our gratitude for your tireless and valuable work, but also of our special respect for the values that you personify: dignity, integrity, credibility, discipline, courage, empathy, morality!
Commander, on behalf of my people and the Army, I thank you.
Thank you for more than 30 years of cooperation, partnership and struggle for high goals!
Thank you for believing in all of us!
Thank you for creating an unbreakable bond between Vermont and Macedonia, and I wish it to strengthen even further!
Thank you.
