05.05.2025.
Ceremony to mark Guard Day held
Tonight, Minister of Defence Bratislav Gašić attended a ceremony marking the Serbian Armed Forces Guard Day at the Guard Club in Topčider.
The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff, Lieutenant General Tiosav Janković.To mark the occasion, Guard Commander Brigadier General Željko Furundžić presented the Minister of Defence with a plaque of appreciation for his support and long-standing cooperation.
In his address, Minister Gašić reminded the Guard members and numerous guests that “tonight’s ceremony marks the occasion of the 195th anniversary of the existence and preservation of the Serbian Armed Forces Guard’s rich heritage, which is everyone’s source of pride and honour”.- Therefore, this ceremony is a small monument to our history and tradition that teaches and obliges us to always be worthy of our glorious ancestors’ deeds. On St. George’s Day, back in 1830, by order of Prince Miloš Obrenović of Serbia, 73 young men were selected "from big and well-to-do families, by stature and reputation" to be members of his Guard. For almost two centuries now, this unit has relied on the principle of elitism in selecting its members - said Minister Gašić.
Since ancient times, he said, being a guardsman has implied a set of certain psychophysical characteristics, moral virtues and specific military aesthetics.
- Guardsman is both a word and an image, vivid and understandable to every Serb. We are witnesses to the fact that the long, rich, but indisputably turbulent history of our people has shaped the Guard itself, and that over the course of time, it has grown from infantry companies and battalions, to supporting units, to the size of a military district, which has been its largest formation to this day. As the Guard developed, so did the Guard Orchestra, whose name and composition have changed several times, and whose members have been eminent figures in Serbian military music since 1831 - said the Minister of Defence.Minister Gašić also said that the unit had witnessed and participated in crucial moments in our national history.
- It has protected rulers and presidents, defended the homeland in difficult times and proudly represented our country before the highest foreign officials. The Guard is a symbol of supreme professionalism, unswerving loyalty and the highest military values - always up to the task, championing the honour and dignity of our armed forces and our state – the face and symbol of Serbia – said the Minister of Defence, emphasizing that the Guard includes “a large number of young people, determined to use their strength, knowledge and dedication to make the Guard even stronger and more capable”, and that, therefore, this day celebrates not only past, but also future.
According to him, there is no peaceful and prosperous future for the people without strong armed forces, and Guard members have both the honour and the obligation to preserve and raise the status of their unit's name.- May you remain a symbol of strength and reliability, a custodian of tradition, and a modernly equipped and highly trained combat unit. In that endeavour, you can always count on the support and encouragement of the state leadership, headed by the Supreme Commander and President of the Republic Aleksandar Vučić, and the entire military leadership - emphasized Minister Gašić, congratulating everyone on the Guard Day.
The Guard Commander, Brigadier General Željko Furundžić, noted that since its formation, the Guard had always proudly stood by its people, rulers and military, as the oldest and most decorated unit of the Serbian Armed Forces.- The Guard has been a witness to Serbia’s birth and development, a faithful companion and defender of the state and the Supreme Command, the face of the Serbian Armed Forces and people. There is no major event in the history of Serbia in which the Guard did not play an important role. It has witnessed major upheavals in history, participated in wars, witnessed changes in political systems and performed numerous ceremonial duties on state occasions in the country and abroad. In all this, it has always been proud and strong. Considering the wide spectrum of tasks we perform every day, I can say with great pleasure and confidence that I am proud to be at the head of this unit, because in front of me and next to me I see honourable people, united by loyalty to their country - said the Guard Commander, emphasizing that all the virtues of a soldier and a nation were woven into each guardsman.
At the ceremony, the Representative Guard Orchestra and the Art Ensemble of the Ministry of Defence "Stanislav Binicki" performed numerous popular songs, and a special touch was added to the event by the youngest members of the Children's Cultural Centre Choir.The event was attended by members of the collegiums of the Minister of Defence and the Chief of the General Staff, members of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, representatives of religious communities, institutions, and numerous guests.
After the event, Minister Gašić visited an exhibition of paintings, photographs and objects marking the 195th anniversary of the Serbian Armed Forces Guard.
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