The President of Georgia participated in the events related to Independence Day in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. Mikheil Saakashvili celebrated the day with soldiers of the 33rd Battalion of the 4rd Brigade and 42nd Battalion of the 4th Brigade at the Lezernik Military Base. The Head of State honored the memory of the soldiers killed while fighting for Georgia’s territorial integrity while on duty, with a moment of silence.

The national anthems of Georgia and the United States were performed. The Commander in Chief congratulated soldiers on Independence Day of Georgia and addressed them. Mikheil Saakashvili began his address with remembering the soldiers, who died on duty in Afghanistan. The President of Georgia once again thanked everyone for their bravery and devotion.

The official part of the events, dedicated to Independence Day of Georgia, ended with the decoration of soldiers.

The President of Georgia decorated the following officers for high professionalism, bravery and knightly duty while serving in a peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan: Colonel Koba Akhvledianis with the Victory Order of Saint George, Major Irakli Kalandadze and Lieutenant Colonel Zaza Tsamalashvili with the First Degree Order of Vakhtang Gograsali as well as Sergeant Giorgi Bikoshvili, Master Sergeant Giorgi Calani, and Private Kvicha Mushaberidze with the Third Degree Order of Vaktang Gorgasali.

The President of Georgia honored the deceased who died during the combined terrorist act on a Georgian base. Sergeant Zviad Davitadze, Corporal Alexandre Kvitsinadze and Corporal Vladimer Shanave were all decorated with the First Degree Order of Vakhtang Gorgasali.

After the ceremony, Mikheil Saakashvili lit candles at the church at the base for the souls of the deceased during the terrorist act, and attended the liturgy held by father Gobron with the wounded soldiers.

Later on, the President of Georgia attended a celebratory dinner with the US Major General, Walter Miller.

Members of the Parliamentary minority and the Head of the Administration of the President of Georgia, Andro Barnovi attended the events dedicated to Independence Day of Georgia in Afghanistan.