March 24 is the Remembrance Day for the victims of the NATO agression that happened 26 years ago. On that occasion, a wreath laying ceremony was held at the Monument to the Fallen 125th Motor Brigade. The Brigade was a part of the Priština Corps during the 1999 Kosovo conflict.
On the behalf of the City of Kruševac, Mayor Ivan Manojlović and President of City Assembly Dr. Dragana Barišić took part in the ceremony. Also present was Deputy Mayor Snežana Radojković.
As it was reported during the conflict in the 90s, the reason for the aggression was the situation in Kosovo during the time, i.e. a difficult humanitarian crisis. The order to start the air campaign was given by NATO General Secretary Javier Solana to the USA General Wesley Clark.
In the ceremony, Lieutenant Colonel Milinko Nenadović, who serves as the Commander of the Kruševac Garrison, stated that “the “Allied Force” air campaign led by 19 NATO member countries started on March 24, 1999. Around 3500 people lost their lives and 12500 were wounded. The campaign lasted for 78 days, resulting in 2500 killed civilians, out of which 89 were children, and 1031 were members of the police and military. The decision to attack the former state was carried out without the consent of the UN Security Council, which was a first precedent of this kind in history.
“NATO was massively using cluster bombs, depleted uranium ammo (10 out of 15 tonnes were used during the campaign), B-2 Stealth Bombers, and graphite bombs as a means to disable eletronics and electrical grids. However”, added Lieutenant Colonel Nenadović, “the advantages of the Serbian army was high morale, capability, and professionalism”.
The order to stop the air campaign was issued on June 10, 1999.
A religious rite was carried by the members of the Kruševac clergy, which reminded that the explosions, devastation, and killing of both the civilians and soldiers must not be forgotten. They added that it was our duty and obligation to keep those ungraceful events in our memories, as a memento of all those who had given their lives for their country.
Beside the families of the ones who lost their lives and the representatives of the City of Kruševac, a great number of delegations laid wreaths in honor of the victims and heroes. Serbian Armed Forces – Kruševac Garrison, army veteran associations, representatives of the 125th Motor Brigade, and other NGO and associations that are closely tied to the veterans and peacemaking activities.
