The Proedriki Froura (Προεδρική Φρουρά, "Presidential Guard") is the name given to the guard unit of the Greek Army. The unit is famous around the world for its unique uniforms, which is designed to be similar to the outfits worn by the klephts who fought the Ottoman occupation of Greece.

Uniform

The basic elements of the uniform are:

• a scarlet garrison cap with a long black tassel, called a fessi, related to the fez
• A foustanella kilt
• white stockings
• black garters
• red tsarouhi clogs
• a leathern cartridge belt and 6.5mm Mannlicher-Schönauer rotary magazine rifle, with bayonet

The basic color of the winter uniform is navy blue, while the summer uniform is khaki. The full-dress uniform, worn at the reception of foreign dignitaries, on important national holidays and other special occasions is pure white, with the addition of a fancy gold-brocade waistcoat. Members of the guard can also sometimes be seen in a black uniform based on the traditional male costume of Crete, or in a royal blue and red habit once worn by the Greeks of Pontus.

The uniforms of officers are distinguished from those of enlisted men by the substitution of red buskins for the stockings, and blue garters.

History

The unit was formed in 1868 as the royal guard (Ευζώνη—Evzone—, literally "Well-Girt," an ancient Greek phrase dating to Homer), and continued its role after the abolition of the Greek monarchy. At their height, the evzones comprised five regiments and were considered the elite of the Hellenic Army. Today the regiment is purely ceremonial, with duties including:

• Guarding, on a 24-hour basis, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Presidential Mansion and the gates of the Presidential Guard training camp.
• The official raising and lowering of the flag (at 9am and 6am respectively) every Sunday at the Acropolis
• Accompanying the President of the Republic on official foreign visits
• Offering honours and welcoming foreign officials on visit
• An annual Parade on New York’s 5th Avenue in celebration of Greece’s October 28 National Day

External Link

• Official Homepage
• Article about the Froura from a Greek tourist info site