23.04.2025.
Ceremonial reception on the Serbian Armed Forces Day
Minister of Defence Bratislav Gašić and Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff General Milan Mojsilović hosted a ceremonial reception today in the Great War Hall of the Old General Staff building on the occasion of the Serbian Armed Forces Day – 23rd April.
The ceremony was attended by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, Đuro Macut, ministers in the Government, representatives of the National Assembly, representatives of state institutions, members of the collegiums of the Minister of Defence and the Chief of General Staff, members of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, and representatives of religious communities.
Addressing those present, Minister Gašić said that today's holiday is our encounter with history and an opportunity to look it in the eye, to ask ourselves - are we worthy heirs of those who fell so that Serbia could be a free country today.
- That is a very serious and difficult question and, at first glance, we either do not have the answer to it or we are afraid of it. The truth is, however, that the heroes of the defence against NATO aggression and the participants in the National Liberation Struggle, the heroes of Cer, Kolubara and Kajmakčalan and the rebels from Orašac and Takovo, asked themselves the same question and were equally afraid of the answer...To all of them, their own reflection in the mirror of history seemed smaller compared to the shadows of their predecessors. From our perspective, our holy prince Lazar, Miloš Obilić, Stevan Sinđelić, Milunka Savić, Milan Tepić, Goran Ostojić, Predrag Leovac, Milenko Pavlović and many other sons and daughters of Serbia whose deeds we worship stand together in the same line, worthy of honour and admiration - the Minister of Defence emphasised.
He emphasised that heroism and patriotism bridge eras and always, regardless of the time distance, meet in the present time to become the measure of our own deeds, and in order for this miraculous property of theirs to manifest, it is necessary that we, today, sincerely ask ourselves - are we worthy of our ancestors and to resolutely, without fear, do everything to make it a reality.
The history of people that have made so many sacrifices and produced so many heroes is as terrible as it is magnificent. It is precisely in this history, which is marked by traces of blood and heroism, that the roots of the love and respect that the Serbian people have for their army lie. This immense confidence has been entrusted to us to protect and nurture, to nourish and increase it, which is possible only with the greatest dedication and the strongest will. Today, when we mark the Serbian Armed Forces Day, we remember just one of the many glorious days of our past. We remember those days exactly 210 years ago, when the oppressed people rose up in arms, guided by the belief that freedom was achievable, even though sacrifices were inevitable. On the foundations of that uncompromising will and political wisdom of Prince Miloš, the restoration of Serbian statehood, which had been dormant for almost five centuries, began. And that process, solely thanks to the synergy of the national leadership and the armed forces that follow it, ended with a success whose fruits we also enjoy today - the Minister of Defence emphasised.
According to him, our today does not exist only for itself and only for us, just as the deeds of Serbian warriors throughout the centuries were not an end in themselves, but a pledge for the freedom and dignified life of future generations, and he added that therefore our work on strengthening the Serbian Armed Forces and the entire defence system, investing in equipment and modernisation, in training, infrastructure, the standard of our members is an achievement for the freedom of the children of Serbia, for their future and well-being.
- I am sure that the hero Milenko Pavlović would be happy when the newest Rafales arrive at the airport from which he took off to glory. Our great field marshals would be proud of the lethal force of our Noras, Oganjs, Pasars, Lazars... Lieutenant Colonel Goran Ostojić's heart would be full if he could see how his 63rd Parachute Regiment is qualified and equipped today. Heroine Milunka Savić would rejoice at the sight of women and girls who, as officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers, worthily wear the insignia of our army. Peđa Leovac would be happy to welcome the recruits back to our barracks, to once again sing in unison on the runway “Long live Serbia! We serve Serbia!” With this knowledge, with the true belief that our glorious predecessors would support and bless our work and effort, we will continue to raise the bulwarks of the defence of our homeland - Minister Gašić pointed out.
And in order for them to discourage every enemy with their strength and height, the Minister of Defence emphasized, all of us, from the first to the last in the ranks, must give our best, every element, every unit of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces must act in harmony and synchronization with the other parts of that great organism in order to be able to fulfil everything that the Constitution and laws of our country require of us and that the citizens of the Republic of Serbia expect from us.
- May we have a happy and God-blessed Serbian Armed Forces Day. Let us celebrate it for many years to come, paying homage to our ancestors and passing on the vow of freedom to our descendants, for the freedom and honour of the homeland! Long live the Serbian Armed Forces! Long live Serbia - the Minister of Defence concluded.
The Serbian Armed Forces mark 23rd April as its holiday in memory of the 1815 Palm Sunday Uprising, when the decision was made to launch the Second Serbian Uprising to liberate Serbia from the Ottoman Empire, which later enabled the creation of the modern Serbian state and army.
