A Meaningful Project for Tomorrow’s Reserve Officer Cadets, Dedicated to the Memory of Miltiadis Karatzis
In an atmosphere of emotion, pride, and optimism for the future of military education, the inauguration ceremony of the renovated Officer Reserve Cadet (YEA) classrooms, the administrative offices of the 44th School of Command and Training for National Guard Battalions (44 SDI/TEA), and the upgraded support facilities took place at the Daskalogiannis Military Camp. The project was made possible through a donation by the Karatzis Group in memory of the late Miltiadis Karatzis.
The event brought together representatives of the Armed Forces, local government authorities, and institutional organizations, underscoring the significance of an initiative that meaningfully strengthens the School’s educational mission while reaffirming the Karatzis Group’s longstanding commitment to the local community and the institutions that serve the public interest.
Among those in attendance were Nana Karatzis, Vice Chair of the Karatzis Group Board of Directors; Antonis Karatzis, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; Gioulia Karatzis, Chief Executive Officer; Miltiadis Karatzis, Deputy Chief Operating Officer (Deputy COO); Marita Karatzis, Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of MK Hotels Collection; Kostas Archontakis, General Manager of the Karatzis Group; and Manolis Michalakis, Deputy General Manager.
The presence of the Karatzis family and the Group’s senior management added a special symbolic significance to the ceremony, which was dedicated to the memory of the man whose name became synonymous with growth, entrepreneurship, and social contribution in Crete.
Modern Facilities for Tomorrow’s Reserve Officers
The project has created a modern and functional training environment for Officer Reserve Cadets, significantly improving both the educational facilities and the working conditions at the School.
The initiative forms part of the Karatzis Group’s long-standing commitment to corporate social responsibility and highlights the importance of collaboration between the business community, society, and public institutions when the shared goal is progress and the strengthening of public service.
Antonis Karatzis: “The country needs donors”
In his address, Karatzis Group Chairman Antonis Karatzis emphasized that this initiative could serve as an example for more entrepreneurs and productive sectors across the country to follow.
“I hope this initiative will serve as an example for more entrepreneurs and other sectors of the economy to follow. Our country needs donors and people who think collectively rather than individually—whether in education, healthcare, or any other field that contributes to the progress of our society,” he said.
He also made a particularly emotional tribute to his father, Miltiadis Karatzis, in whose memory the donation was made.
“This contribution was made in honor of the memory of my father, Miltiadis Karatzis. He was my friend, my father, and my business partner, and there is not an hour or a moment that passes without me thinking of him. In this way, we hope to keep alive the values he stood for while offering something truly meaningful to our community,” he emphasized.
Mr. Karatzis also thanked the School’s administration and the Hellenic Armed Forces for their close cooperation throughout the implementation of the project, reaffirming that the Karatzis Group will continue to support initiatives that strengthen their mission and contribution.
“The Result of Determination, Cooperation, and a Spirit of Giving”
The significance of the donation for the School was highlighted by the Commander of the 44th School of Command and Training for National Guard Battalions (44 SDI/TEA), Brigadier General Fotios Arbis, who described the project as a substantial upgrade to the School’s infrastructure.
“The inauguration of the renovated classroom and administrative offices of the Officer Reserve Cadet Battalion marks a significant upgrade to our infrastructure. These facilities now offer enhanced functionality and a renewed appearance—the result of determination, cooperation, and a genuine spirit of giving,” he noted.
He emphasized that Antonis Karatzis’ contribution extends far beyond its material value, as it reflects the strong bond between the local community and the Hellenic Armed Forces, as well as the mutual trust and respect for the men and women who serve their country.
He also placed particular emphasis on the decision to name the classroom after Miltiadis Karatzis, noting that it gives the donation a profound symbolic significance.
“The fact that this classroom bears the name of a man who was hardworking, visionary, and deeply connected to his homeland makes it especially meaningful. Through his life’s work, he demonstrated that perseverance, discipline, courage, and dedication can transform a vision into a lasting legacy,” he said.
Concluding his address, he emphasized that the inauguration was about far more than the unveiling of a renovated facility.
“Today, we are not simply inaugurating a renovated space. We are honoring a memory, recognizing a meaningful contribution, and strengthening a relationship of trust that continues to bear fruit,” he concluded.
“Success Gains Greater Value When Accompanied by Giving Back”
The message of the Hellenic Armed Forces was conveyed by the Deputy Commander of the Supreme Military Command of the Interior and Islands (ASDEN), Major General Ioannis Papoutsakis, who expressed the Armed Forces’ gratitude to the Karatzis Group and personally to Antonis Karatzis.
“Today, we pay the recognition that is rightfully due and express our sincere and heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Antonis Karatzis for his invaluable donation. This contribution is far more than financial support—it is a tangible demonstration of social responsibility, generosity, and commitment to the common good,” he said.
Referring to the importance of the project, he stressed that modern educational facilities are far more than buildings and equipment.
“They provide the environment in which the knowledge, skills, and values that will accompany tomorrow’s Reserve Officers throughout their careers are cultivated,” he emphasized.
The Deputy Commander of ASDEN also emphasized the broader message conveyed by the donation.
“Through your actions, you demonstrate that success becomes even more meaningful when it is accompanied by giving back to society. The spirit of service to our homeland remains strong and alive. Our homeland is a sacred common bond for us all, and today you honor that bond by supporting those who serve it every day,” he concluded.
A Continuing Tradition of Social Contribution
This donation represents yet another milestone in the Karatzis Group’s long-standing commitment to corporate social responsibility. The Group has consistently supported initiatives that strengthen education, local communities, and institutions that make a meaningful contribution to the public good.
It is a tradition of giving that remains deeply rooted in the values upheld by the late Miltiadis Karatzis—values that continue to leave a lasting impact on the local community and society as a whole.
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