24.03.2018.
Members of the Serbian Armed Forces marked the Remembrance Day
On 24th March, the Remembrance Day of the Victims of the NATO Aggression in 1999, commemorations were held in the commands, units and establishments of the Serbian Armed Forces.
The Serbian Armed Forces delegation, led by the Chief of General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces, General Ljubiša Diković, laid a wreath on the memorial to the Heroes of the 27th Motorized Brigade in the Stefan Nemanja barracks in Raška with the highest military honours.
The Chief of the General Staff was accompanied by Commander of the Second Brigade Colonel Željko Kuzmanović and Deputy Commander of the 22nd Infantry Battalion Major Ivan Ćatić.Wreaths were also laid by family members of the dead, as well as a delegation of the local self-government, led by Mayor of Raška Ignjat Rakitić, representatives of the Ministry of the Interior, veterans' associations and associations cherishing patriotic tradition.
General Diković pointed out that modern world history does not remember more destructive use of force than those 78 days of constant bombardment, as well as “greater shame of a civilization that attacked a small country of proud and free people in the most brutal way either”.
- A very rapid impact of NATO aviation has spread from military to civilian facilities, and the strikes were such that they killed more civilians than military personnel. All this happened contrary to the conventions of the international law, both war law and humanitarian law, because NATO forces in their attacks frequently used ammunition with depleted uranium and cluster munitions, whose consequences are still visible in our country - the Chief of General Staff pointed out, adding that it was the time of the suffering, sadness and pain, but also the evidence of the unbreakable ties between the army and the people.
General Diković reminded that, on the model of its ancestors, a land of brave and proud people, inspired by the desire for freedom, offered heroic resistance throughout the territory, and especially in Kosovo and Metohija.
- There were many examples of heroic and chivalrous deeds, made by individuals and entire units, and the 37th Motorized Brigade was among the best units of our Armed Forces at that time, consisting of members from Raška, Kraljevo, Vrnjačka Banja, Aleksandrovac and Novi Pazar, and it lost 60 of its heroes in that fight, with four times more wounded, the Chief of General Staff said, adding that “memory of the blood and bombs cannot fade even 19 years after the aggression and it will not fade, as long as there are people in these parts who are ready to remember and offer sacrifice”.He reminded that Serbia still feels the consequences because it did not ask for this war, and when it already broke out “we proved ourselves worthy of historic heritage and gave heroic resistance worth of admiration”.
- It is hardest for the families of the dead, their wounds are the biggest and it is difficult to find the words of comfort, but you should be proud of the knighthood of your loved ones, and Serbia must not forget them for what they did for their homeland. Let us cherish the memories of those who gave their lives during the NATO bombing because they, by their sacrifice, incorporated ourselves into our future - General Ljubiša Diković said and emphasized that events from the past are to be referred to the court of history, and that it is up to us to learn from history and use such acquired wisdom to build a brighter future for our country.Chaplain Second Lieutenant Vladan Vuković served parastos to the members of the 37th Motorized Brigade during the NATO aggression.
During the 78 days of defence against the NATO aggression, among many defenders, 60 members of the heroic 37th motorized brigade were killed, and 21st infantry battalion, which is now stationed in Raška, continues its tradition. Due to a successful resistance to aggression, the 37th motorized brigade was decorated with the Order of the National Hero.
In the “Mija Stanimirović” barracks in Niš, Remembrance Day was marked by laying wreaths and flowers on a monument to victims of NATO aggression. The wreath was laid at the monument by a delegation of the Army led by the Army Commander, Lieutenant General Milosav Simović, accompanied by colonels Vladeta Baltić and Zvonko Stojković. Chaplain of the Army Command, Captain Đorđe Dimić, performed a funeral service for the dead. The gathering was also attended by representatives of the veteran and liberation associations from Niš, members of the Army units from the Niš garrison, friends and families of those killed.
Commemorative gathering in the “Jugovićevo” barracks in Novi Sad was by Commander of the First Brigade, Brigadier General Željko Petrović, Vice-President of the provincial government Đorđe Milićević, Mayor of Novi Sad Miloš Vučević, Head of South Bačka administrative district Milan Novaković, the delegation of SUBNOR, Reserve Military Officers, Association of Airmen Pilots and Parachutists of Vojvodina, Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments, family members and friends of the killed soldiers.
In the “Toplički ustanak” (Toplice uprising) barracks in Kuršumlija, memorial service was performed and the wreaths were laid on the monument to the fallen victims in the NATO aggression. Marking the Remembrance Day in Kuršumlija was attended by Deputy Commander of the 3rd Brigade, Colonel Slađan Stamenković, members of the Brigade, representatives of local authorities and veterans' associations.Members of the 4th Army Brigade who are at the Pasuljanske livade combined-arms training ground, marked the Day of Remembrance and comemoration for victims of the NATO aggression.
At the AF&AD Command and units, the Day of Remembrance for Victims of NATO aggression was marked by commemorative gatherings and laying flowers on memorials to the fallen members. Besides active members of the Air Force and the Air Defence, members of the families of the fallen airmen, members of the war-time units and members of the associations fostering aviation traditions participated in the gatherings at the Air Force Club in Zemun, at the barracks and at the airports. The commemorative gathering at the Aviation Center was led by Brigadier General Sava Milenković, Deputy Commander of the AF&AD.
In the Topčider barracks in Belgrade, parastos and wreath-laying ceremonies, organised by the Training Command at the monument to four officers of the 1st Army Command killed in the NATO aggression in 1999, were attended by members of the commands, units and establishments deployed in these barracks and families of the killed..jpg)
In addition to paying tribute to members of the Guard Brigade who lost their lives during the aggression, members of the Guard laid wreaths at the Dedinje barracks in front of “Dr. Dragiša Mišović” hospital, at the memorial plaque dedicated to the killed soldier of the 25th Military Police Battalion of the Guard Brigade.
Commemorative gatherings and wreath-laying ceremonies at memorials dedicated to the dead members of the Armed Forces were also held in other barracks throughout Serbia, and members of the Serbian Armed Forces participated also in commemorative activities organised by cities and municipalities, veterans and other organizations that foster military traditions.