The small Invictus family is an exceptional example for the great family that is the nation, said Prince Radu at the ceremony organized on Thursday at the Elisabeta Palace, on the occasion of the handing over of the relay to the runners on behalf of Custodian of the Crown of Romania Margareta.

„Invictus is not a gathering of people who want to do sport or to respect history. I believe it is about a growing family, which, like any family, is bound together by trust, affection and mutual respect. Except that this small family is an exceptional example to the great family that is the nation. And what day more beautiful could the Invictus volunteers and the members of the Military Corps proudly bearing this name find than October 25, the day when you will arrive in Carei and you will tell Romanians again – some of them will hear for the first time, because Romanians are born every year – about this important day in our history, the day when the Romanian Army is celebrated by the Romanian nation and the day when our sovereign was born 103 years ago. We keep his memory, because he, until he reposed in the Lord, represented, perhaps, the most beautiful possible image of a modern-day Romanian,” said Prince Radu.

He appreciated the example of honouring the memory of ancestors, perpetuated over the years by the Invictus Volunteers.

„I know that every year you make this great effort to set an example. And I can’t help but notice how much it meant that you had the spirit and that this example has been perpetuated over the years, how great it is that now all the local communities you go through are by your side and everyone knows when Invictus passes by, to honour the memory of their forefathers, to pay their respects to those who are sacrificing today for our freedom and for the unborn to learn tomorrow or the day after tomorrow about your beautiful and patriotic endeavour,” Prince Radu told the participants of the event.

He emphasized the importance of the Invictus Volunteers’ approach „in a difficult moment for our generation of Romanians, who, for the first time in our lives, had to deal with the horrors of a war close to our border”.

„With every kilometer that we will cover, we will carry with us not only the desire to succeed, but also the Invictus spirit, which shines from heart to heart. Each of us carries in our hearts the gratitude for the unconditional sacrifice offered by those who defend our family, Romania. By giving, we will gain a united and strong society,” said Cosmin Popa, representative of the Invictus Volunteers.

Now at its eleventh edition, the Invictus Veterans’ Relay is an annual national event organized by the Invictus Volunteers Association with the aim of promoting the heroes of yesterday and today through sport.

More than 1,000 Invictus volunteers, civilians and military from across the National System of Defence, Public Order and National Security, relay bearers, runners and cyclists, will cover more than 3,500 kilometers on three routes – blue, yellow and red. The most important moment will take place on Army Day, October 25, in Carei, where the Invictus Veterans’ Relay will symbolically honour all heroes.

ASR Radu emphasized the importance of the Invictus Volunteers’ approach „in a difficult moment for our generation of Romanians, who, for the first time in our lives, had to deal with the horrors of a war close to our border”.

„With every kilometer that we will cover, we will carry with us not only the desire to succeed, but also the Invictus spirit, which shines from heart to heart. Each of us carries in our hearts the gratitude for the unconditional sacrifice offered by those who defend our family, Romania. By giving, we will achieve a united and strong society”, said Cosmin Popa, representative of the Invictus Volunteers.

Now in its eleventh edition, the Invictus Veterans’ Relay is an annual national event organized by the Invictus Volunteers Association with the aim of promoting the heroes of yesterday and today through sport.

More than 1,000 Invictus volunteers, civilians and military from across the National System of Defense, Public Order and National Security, relay bearers, runners and cyclists, will cover more than 3,500 kilometers on three routes – blue, yellow and red. The most important moment will take place on Army Day, October 25, in Carei, where the Invictus Veterans’ Relay will symbolically honor all heroes.

The Invictus volunteers are supported, as every year, by central and local authorities, including the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. On the entire route, participants will be accompanied by military police.

The Invictus Volunteers Association is under the High Patronage of His Highness Prince Radu.

AGERPRES