On July 10, around 150 soldiers joined Reconnaissance and Artillery Battalion 4 to complete their basic military service. Over the coming months, they will be trained by the battalion as reconnaissance, artillery, command support and supply personnel. The ceremonial swearing-in for this enlistment and for recruits from the Langenlebarn Air Force and Anti-Aircraft Troop School recently took place on the main square in the market town of Vitis.
The event started in the afternoon with an information show, where military equipment and gear from the battalion and the air force and anti-aircraft school was presented. There was also the opportunity to taste samples from the troop kitchen. The emergency organizations from the municipal area also joined in and so the public was able to find out about the police, Red Cross, fire department and civil defence. Before the actual ceremony began, the military band performed a concert in the square. This also framed the actual ceremony.
The swearing-in ceremony began punctually at 6 p.m. with the report to the highest military officer present, Colonel Michael Lippert. Mayor Anette Töpfl opened the swearing-in ceremony by welcoming the guests, the soldiers and the people in attendance. The words of greeting from the Governor were delivered by Victoria Hutter, Federal Councillor for the district of Waidhofen an der Thaya. After the spiritual blessing and the speeches, the young soldiers loudly took the oath in the presence of their families, followed by gun salutes from the Waidhofen an der Thaya Citizens’ Corps. The audience and guests expressed their appreciation to the young recruits with loud applause.
