02.12.2016.
The Veterans Day marked
Today, on 4th December – the Veterans Day, General Ljubisa Diković, Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff, has held a reception for their representatives.The meeting in the Great War Hall of the Old General Staff building was attended by members of the collegium of the Minister of Defence and Chief of General Staff, distinguished guests, representatives of traditional and veterans' associations, and members of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces.
Conveying greetings from the Minister of Defence to the veterans, the Chief of General Staff expressed satisfaction that it is for the second time in recent history that the Veterans Day is marked in a special ceremonial way.
- Let me especially welcome the then children, and now veterans from Košare, and the families of victims of the wars in the territory of former Yugoslavia during the NATO aggression, who defended their fatherland, for whose freedom they were willing to give even their life, General Diković said, expressing special appreciation to those who fell in battle for their homeland.
Chief of General Staff pointed out that Serbia is happy to have several hundred thousand veterans, who, along with those who gave their lives, were ready to defend Serbia from all aggressions.
- Ministry of Defence, the Serbian Armed Forces and the Government take care of veterans. Maybe that is not enough, but they are doing everything they can to make our warriors feel honour and dignity, and then to help them in solving their everyday problems, especially to the families of the fallen soldiers, General Diković said, adding that he was particularly pleased that all military veterans were in function of building the capabilities of our armed forces.
General Diković presented traditional and veterans’ associations and organizations with military honours for the successful cooperation with the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces. He presented the Association of Volunteer Fighters 1912-1918, their descendants and supporters, with the Military Memorial Medal for the contribution to the defence system, the Club of Generals and Admirals of Serbia – with Plaque of the Ministry of Defence, while General Diković presented Veternik 1923 Scout Group with a letter of thanks as a recognition of the good cooperation with the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces.
The Veterans Day was marked in all the commands, units and institutions of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces. As a sign of respect and remembrance of those who gave their lives for their fatherland, military delegations in cooperation with local authorities and veterans associations laid wreaths at the memorial ossuaries, monuments to fallen soldiers and victims of the liberation wars throughout Serbia.
The Veterans Day is celebrated on 4th December, to commemorate the day when, in 1912, a ceasefire in the First Balkan War was signed. Then, about 400,000 soldiers of the Army of the Kingdom of Serbia received the title of an old warrior, in modern language – a veteran.
