On Thursday, 11 November 2021, on the occasion of the War Veterans Day, a commemorative act was held at the War Veterans Monument in Pilsen’s Homolka Park in the presence of representatives of the Pilsen Region, the City of Pilsen, representatives of the the Czechoslovak Legionary Community, the Czech Army, a number of honoured guests and the public.
The President of the Pilsen Region decided to award the “Commemorative Medal of the President of the Pilsen Region” annually to selected war veterans who participated in war conflicts in the past, to recognise not only their courage and dedication, but also their efforts to contribute to freedom and democracy.
This year when the ceremony was held for the first time, six war veterans were selected in cooperation with the Regional Military Command in Pilsen, the War Veterans Association and the Czechoslovak Legionary Community. Three war veterans, namely reserve Major Miroslav Charvát, retired Warrant Officer Josef Hrůza and reserve Warrant Officer Jozef Liška, received medals and commemorative certificates from the hands of President Ilona Mauritzová on 11 November at the War Veterans Monument at Homolka, Pilsen. Three other personalities, namely retired Lieutenant Mojmír Petráň, retired Corporal Slávka Altman and retired Private Milada Málková, will receive their medals and commemorative certificates individually due to epidemic reasons.
The President of the Pilsen Region herself received a commemorative medal from the Regional Military Command Pilsen for her active cooperation and support of military traditions in the Pilsen Region.
The tradition of celebrating the end of the First World War began on the first anniversary of the Armistice with Germany on 11 November 1919. The Armistice itself, which ended the fighting of the First World War, was signed on 11 November 1918 at 11 a.m. in a train carriage near the town of Compiègne in northern France.