06.05.2022.
Minister Stefanović: Members of the Guard proudly preserve heritage of ancestors and reputation of Republic of Serbia, and peace and security of our citizens
Today, at the celebration held in the barracks “Dedinje” to observe 6th May – Day of the Serbian Armed Forces Guard, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Nebojša Stefanović PhD stated that its members, still selected in line with strict criteria, proudly preserve the heritage of our ancestors, the reputation of the Republic of Serbia, and the peace and security of our citizens.
- I extend congratulations to you on the Day of the Guard wishing that we continue building the tradition that is the pride of this unit for many years to come. I wish to congratulate this 192nd birthday, because that flag of our fatherland that you hold in your hands, that steadfast march are the mirror not only of this unit, not only of our armed forces, but of Serbia as well. You are the first whom the foreign guests meet when they come to visit our Serbia. When they see you, our flag, that blue uniform, they know that they are in a serious country, a country that is tough and which is capable of defending its freedom – Minister Stefanović said.
The minister reminded of important segments of the history of that unit, and responsibilities which members of the Guard discharge every day.
- Today, the Guard is still what it was back in 1830, when it was established precisely the way Prince Miloš Obrenović stated in his letter; made of the best both in their status and their stature, of those who meet high criteria. “Every father or relative is to consider himself honoured if their son is accepted in the Guard,” Prince Miloš stated, and today I would add “daughter as well”, since we have made an important step forward in that direction. A year later, the first Serbian military band was incorporated in the Guard, whose very Head, Stanislav Binički, wrote the famous notes of the “March on Drina River”. Today, it is the Representative Orchestra of the Guard, one of the oldest cultural institutions in our country and one of the most competent orchestras that our country has ever had – Minister Stefanović said.
According to him, some might go wrong and think that the Guard is just a handsome face, blue uniform and honours, but it is quite the opposite.
- The Guard has always shared the fate of Serbia, and through almost two centuries of its existence, it fearlessly fought the toughest battles and protected its people. It remained written that its members carried King Petar I Karađorđević on their hands over the frozen Albanian mountains, participated in the breach of the Thessaloniki front and chased the enemy until the liberation of Serbia, and in the fight against fascism this unit received the Order of the National Hero. From its establishment till today, the Guard has protected the fatherland, the honour of our state and our people. Today as well, its members, selected in line with strict criteria, proudly preserve the heritage of our ancestors, the reputation of the Republic of Serbia, and the peace and security of our citizens – Minister Stefanović said.
I would take this opportunity as well to pay them the deserved respect for everything that they have been doing for the people and fatherland, and for performing difficult tasks often in complex conditions, and I know what challenges they face – the minister underlined.
- My heart is full with joy because, today, our state, led by President Vučić, is stable, economically strong notwithstanding everything that is taking place in the world, with all the existing crisis, in which Serbia does not either participate, nor is it responsible for them. I am also happy because we are in a position to economically strengthen our armed forces, to invest in them and equip them and increase the salaries of our servicemen. We do it because we know that the power of our armed forces will guarantee that no one in Serbia will wage wars ever again, because there is no one who would dare think of attacking Serbia, knowing how great the power is of the armed forces that protect it - Minister Stefanović stated.
The minister sent a message that we wish to threaten no one, that we do not want to wage wars ever again, and that we know that the only way not to wage wars is by having the armed forces of steel that will guarantee the stability and security of our people.
The Guard Commander Brigadier General Nikola Dejanović said that today members of the Guard proudly and joyfully celebrate their Day, enriched by the experience gained in yet another of 192 years of its existence.
- At the same time, it is an opportunity for us to review and evaluate how successful we were in performing our focal tasks, carried out in highly complex circumstances with great challenges which our state and society face. Such circumstances have imposed and demand an increased engagement, dedication, supreme professionalism and a high level of morale. From the viewpoint of the Guard Commander, it is my evaluation that we successfully discharged all assigned tasks, overcoming, at that, numerous difficulties, which are characteristic and common for all three missions of the Serbian Armed Forces – General Dejanović said.
He stated that determination, competence and responsibility of the Guard members, as main guidelines, have justified the name and reputation of this unit, and of the Serbian Armed Forces in the eyes of the entire society.
- In particular, I would like to express my gratitude to Chief of General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces General Milan Mojsilović, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Serbia Nebojša Stefanović, and President of the Republic and Supreme Commander of the Serbian Armed Forces Aleksandar Vučić for exceptional understanding and support to building capabilities of the Guard for the execution of its assigned tasks – General Dejanović stressed.
Today’s celebration in the barracks “Dedinje” was marked by the march-past of the Guard units and the parade of motorised echelon, accompanied by the performance of the Representative orchestra of the Guard. The Guard Day – 6th March is observed in memory of the day when the first Guard unit was established in Serbia upon the order of Prince Miloš Obrenović on St. George’s Day in 1830. Members of the Guard celebrate St. George as the patron saint of their unit.
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