In honor of Liberation Day of Kruševac, during a formal reception in the Mosaic Hall of the City Hall of Kruševac, Minister of Defense Bratislav Gašić and Minister for Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs Milica Đurđević Stamenkovski handed Veteran Commemorative Medals to the disabled war veterans and the families of fallen soldiers from Kruševac. The reception was also attended by the Head of Human Resources Service of the Serbian Armed Forces Headquarters, brigadier general Slađan Hristov, and Mayor of Kruševac Ivan Manojlović.
Total of 136 medals were handed to the present veterans, 95 of them were veterans with disabilities, while 41 were members of immediate family.
On that occasion, Minister Gašić stated that our country’s history was glorious but simultaneously heavy and painful:
“When one country, since its inception, is always on the side of justice and true values, there is always a target painted on its back by those who are on the opposite side. There have always been those who wanted to conquer us, to forcefully make us to desist from our tenets and higher values that have been imprinted into our genes, the ones that represent the foundation of our Serbianhood. We have never given up and broken our beliefs and promises. We have never taken sides with injustice, as it would not be the Serbian way to do so. With the help of our courageous people, the resilient “no” to every injustice, and freedom as the highest human value, Serbia today has a lot to be proud of”, said Minister Gašić.
Speaking to the present veterans, Minister Gašić focused on their selfless act and sacrifice, and the ways they had woven the priceless but at the same time most beautiful word that every Serbian loves – freedom – into the very foundation of the country.
“Your action speak about the dignity of our people and the strength of Serbia. Unfortunately, we are still witnessing attacks on our country – old enemies are relentless, while new ones are emerging. Their methods may be different but the goal is same. However, our answer will be same- freedom and justice are priceless, and Serbia is to us above everything else”, said Minister Gašić.
“By adjusting our military to the modern warfare, we have turned our military into a strong factor that repels every potential aggressor through procurement of modern weaponry, development of domestic industry and investment into raising the military standards. Everyone who does not wish well to our country could have seen everything during the grand military parade “Strength of Unity”, and the examples of your courage, and they have seen it , believe me, they have seen and have been studying and admiring it, soon realizing how much stable and strong Serbia is”.
Minister Gašić concluded with saying how glad he was to have been able to hand the medals in person.
“They are not a simple token of gratitude, but a symbol of deep respect and eternal gratefulness of the Republic of Serbia and all its citizens. Serbia remembers and respects. Serbia is proud of you. Your deeds will forever be remembered and present in every step we make and in every day we live in peace. It is not a simple remembering, more of a warning and vow. Warning to notify us to be aware that freedom is not gifted but won, and our vow to keep it for our future generations. I promise you all that we will keep it and pass it down to the next generation, as you have defended the peace, dignity and honor of our country, giving us freedom”, concluded Gašić.
Minister Đurđević Stamenkovski said that Kruševac is the link with our ancestors and history, adding that freedom is the chief value of our people, and was rightfully put on a high pedestal. She gave thanks to Minister Gašić and the representatives of the Serbian Armed Forces who contributed and helped in the Veteran Commemorative Medals event they were a part of.
“I invite you all to accept this highest national recognition, as you were the ones who defended our land in the nineties. Let it be a humble token of our respect and gratitude for all you have done for your homeland. Let these Veteran Commemorative Medals stay in your homes as testimonies of a time most difficult and challenging, but one we endured as one people, for all the future generation to be aware of”.
The Veteran Commemorative Medals was passed at the National Assembly session in March of 2023. as a part of Veteran, Veteran with Disabilities, Civilian Soldiers with Disabilities, and Families of Veterans Law, and “Veteran Acknowledgement” Regulation Act.
