The Serbian Armed Forces Day and two centuries since the Takovo Uprising marked in Takovo

With laying of wreaths at the Monument to the Second Serbian Uprising, with military and state honours paid to the insurgents, the central ceremony began today for marking two centuries since the Takovo Uprising and the Serbian Armed Forces Day at the memorial park “The Takovo Bush” in Takovo, near Gornji Milanovac.

The ceremony was attended by President of the Republic Tomislav Nikolic, Serbian patriarch Irinej, Minister of Defence Bratislav Gasic, representatives of legislative, executive and judiciary government, Chief of General Staff General Ljubisa Dikovic, chief staff and authorities at the Ministry of Defence and Serbian Armed Forces, military diplomatic corps, President of the Municipality of Gornji Milanovac Milisav Mirkovic, representatives of the local self-government and religious communities, and numerous citizens.

The Command of Major General Vojin C. Jondic, Chief of the Operations Department (J-3), commander of this year’s ceremony, sounded the arrival of the state flag, followed by the sounding of the anthem of the Republic of Serbia. In honour of the holiday, Ceremonial Unit of the Guard fired a salvo of ten volleys from six pieces of artillery at the Sava terrace at Kalemegdan and ten volleys from 10 pieces of artillery in Takovo.

According to President Nikolic, two hundred years ago in that place, 426 years after the Battle of Kosovo, Serbs stated the uprising that brought the much-desired freedom.

— They were led by Milos Obrenovic, who said the anthological words “here I am, here you are, war to Ottomans”. The state was unbearable. In early 19th century, in the times when European countries had a high level of scientific and technological achievements, new discoveries, new philosophical and political ideas, industrial growth, the Serbian people lived in slavery — President Nikolic reminded of the circumstances that led to Serbian uprisings, and of the importance of liberation uprisings that followed and paved the way for Serbian statehood.

Today, two hundred years later, as President stressed, only the proud and worthy ones can stand here, on this historical place.

— The courage and sacrifice of the Serbian insurgents were not in vein — they liberated the old and created us the new state, created the military, committing us to always and withal strength fight to preserve the inherited, the Serbian state, our national being, our language, culture — President Nikolic stressed, adding that, to this day, we fight to be our own on our own, to cooperate with everyone, and to fulfill our ancestors’ dream and to achieve prosperity for our descendants, developing potentials of our people in peace and freedom.

According to him, now, just like then, forever and ever, Serbia fights for the principles of justice and equal standards for all.

— Empires crossed through and left Serbia. They vanished in history, while Serb remained on their land. Great Serbs, people made of virtues, took part in building many of them. Virtue can be possessed by one man, but he did not create it. Virtue is built through generations. It was also built by Milos’s generation, and many before and after it. Our pride was build though history. In order to understand someone else’s history, you must have your own, as well as your legacy, and no riches of this world cannot buy that. This is what makes u what we are — President Nikolic stated, adding that, this year as well, when the entire world celebrates the victory over fascism, we have no dilemma and that we will participate wherever the victory is celebrated, as we would not exist without that victory.

Addressing SAF members as the Chief Commander, President Nikolic expressed his belief that today, when, for the fifth time in the history of Serbian armies, he has the honour of presenting military flags that represent members of the defence system, which were rescued by lives of heroes, he would not allow for what is the pillar of trust and the embodiment of moral and honour to be tarnished, let alone destroyed.

— The best among you, the most hardworking and talented, principled and worthy of trust must be the leading example. The Armed Forces is not a chain where all links are equal in importance. A subordinate must not skip his superior, because the military lies on the most important principle, the principle of subordination! — President Nikolic stated, stressing that this principle means that the best lead the military and that there is no suspiciousness that occurs when the subordinates believe their superiors do not have enough capabilities, strength, moral or knowledge.

According to him, authority is not gained by sycophant relation to superiors, but with knowledge, credit, strength of personality, moral attributes and honour.

— When it comes to the chronic lack of funds, which is the second important factor for the preservation of our military, the entire state has been mobilized to provide the necessary means. The military should also take part in this, in accordance with the laws, and contribute to raising Serbia from the ashes, as it has many times before. What I expect from you is unity and to overcome minor differences and feuds. I expect understanding from you; I expect work, discipline and mutual respect, courage and dedication. I expect from you to be the most worthy, as you have been chosen as the best among us — President Nikolic stated.

He also expressed his belief that the time has come for the goodness to defeat the evil, and courage cowardice.

— I believe that we should and can respect all that is good and great in each of us. If every one us fights what is bad, and nurtures the virtues: humanity, goodness, courage, loyalty, rationality, and patriotism - then we are invincible! Long live the Serbian Armed Forces! Long live Serbia! — President Nikolic concluded.

Today’s ceremony that celebrated the two important jubilees was also marked by the ceremonial march of the Guard, and handover of 23 military flags, presented to SAF units at brigade level by President of the Republic of Serbia. The numerous visitors also had the chance to see the flypast of aircraft, display of a portion of arms and equipment, the march of old flags, and to taste the famous military bean soup.

The Serbian Armed Forces celebrates its holiday on 23rd April, in memory of the day in 1815 when the Second Serbian Uprising began, which was the milestone in the creation of the modern Serbia state and military. In a way, the Second Serbian Uprising represents the foundation for the creation the Serbian state and the Serbian military.