Fantastic weather and the picturesque town square of Eferding provided an impressive backdrop for the swearing-in ceremony of 220 recruits from the Hörsching, Wels and Ried im Innkreis barracks at the end of April.
The words of welcome from Mayor Severin Mair attracted particular attention. Twelve months ago, he himself was the youngest mayor in Austria to be enlisted in the troops. “The Austrian Armed Forces stand for our protection and for our security in Austria. Good luck to the soldiers,” he said to the young conscripts. The numerous guests of honor were led by Governor Thomas Stelzer and Brigade Commander Stefan Fuchs. “Politics and the army preserve prosperity and security,” emphasized Governor Stelzer in his speech. “For our beautiful Upper Austria!” For Colonel Fuchs, Commander of the 4th Armored Infantry Brigade, the appreciation and acceptance of the Austrian Armed Forces is on the rise again: “Be proud to wear your uniform.”
On behalf of the 220 recruits, Daniel Humer from Prambachkirchen, Rafael Lukatsch from Hartkirchen, Florian Kerbl from Wallern and David Biro from Munderfing took the oath of allegiance at the standard of the 4th Armored Infantry Brigade. The pledge of allegiance of the conscripts was followed by resounding applause from around 1,600 spectators. After this highlight, the Upper Austrian military music ended the ceremony with the “Grand Tattoo of the Austrian Armed Forces”. Already in the afternoon, a helicopter landing opened the performance show of the Austrian Armed Forces in Eferding. In addition to tanks and combat vehicles, rescue, police and fire department equipment also gathered in the parking lot of the outdoor swimming pool. The visitors were impressed by the quality of the samples from the troops’ kitchen and were able to get first-hand information.
