Military Veterans’ Day Marked

Today, in the commands, units and institutions of the Serbian Armed Forces, December 04 — Military Veterans Day was marked with a number of activities, as a show of respect and in memory of warriors who fought for the freedom of the homeland.

On that occasion, a ceremonial academy was held at the Guard’s Club in the presence of Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia Đuro Macut, Minister of Defense Bratislav Gašić and Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff, General Milan Mojsilović, their collegiums, military veterans and families of the killed members of the Armed Forces and representatives of the state institutions, military diplomatic corps, religious communities and traditional and veteran associations.

This evening’s ceremony began with the playing of the anthem of the Republic of Serbia, followed by a minute of silence as a tribute to all those who laid down their lives defending their homeland in the liberation wars of Serbia.

After that, a congratulatory message by Supreme Commander of the Serbian Armed Forces and President of the Republic Aleksandar Vučić was read on the occasion of today’s holiday.

In his address, Minister Gašić has pointed out that this is the day when we remember respectfully all those who put the welfare of the homeland and the people above their personal needs, fears and doubts.

“Today, we honor the people who, in the times of biggest trials, wearing the uniform and insignia of our armed forces, showed that patriotism and freedom were worth every effort, sacrifice and renunciation. The history of Serbia is written by the courage of the people who defended the country and people against the invasions of powerful and arrogant forces. By protecting their homes, families and their right to survive, they also protected the future of new generations. So, we gather here today and speak as free people because there was someone before us who believed that life was valuable only if lived in freedom and worth sacrificing for the freedom of future generations. Such faith, persistence and well-known Serbian defiance guided us through difficult times. There were many wars in this territory; too many even for three such histories. But our history, unlike the histories of many other nations and countries, is full of honorable struggle for justice and truth - said the Minister of Defense.

Addressing the veterans, Minister Gašić has pointed out that they are a living testimony of courage and perseverance, and that this ceremony is a message that their deeds will not be forgotten and that “we will carefully guard the freedom of Serbia and the supreme ideals of the military profession.”

On this occasion, Minister Gašić presented the Military Memorial Medal For Exceptional Contribution to the Defense System to retired Lieutenant General Radojko Stefanović, commander of the sub-echelon of military veterans at the large “Power of Unity” Military Parade.

As part of the holiday celebration, delegations from the Ministry of Defense and Serbian Armed Forces laid wreaths and flowers at memorials to officers and soldiers who died in the wars of liberation and defense in several cities and municipalities. In memory of the perished Serbian soldiers, wreaths were also laid by members of veteran associations.

The Military Veterans Day marks the day in 1912 when an armistice was signed in the First Balkan War and when 400,000 soldiers of the Army of the Kingdom of Serbia earned the title “old warrior”, that is, military veteran.