04.12.2025.
Formal ceremony held to mark Veterans’ Day
A formal ceremony was held this evening at the Guard Club in Topčider to commemorate Veterans’ Day. The event was attended by Serbia’s Prime Minister Đuro Macut, Minister of Defence Bratislav Gašić, and the Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff, General Milan Mojsilović.
The ceremony opened with the national anthem of the Republic of Serbia, followed by a moment of silence honouring those who had given their lives defending the homeland in Serbia’s liberation wars.Afterwards, a message from the President of the Republic and Supreme Commander of the Serbian Armed Forces, Aleksandar Vučić, was read on the occasion of Veterans’ Day.
At the start of his address, Minister Gašić said that this is a day when we remember with deep respect all those who put the welfare of their homeland and people above their own needs, fears, and doubts.- Today we honour those who, in times of greatest hardship, wearing the uniform and insignia of our army, showed that patriotism and freedom were worth the effort, sacrifice, and self-denial. Serbia’s history is written with the courage of people who defended this country and its citizens against the attacks of powerful and arrogant forces. By protecting their homes, their families, and their very right to exist, they were also protecting the future of generations to come. That is why we are gathered here today and we speak as free people, because those before us believed that life only has a meaning if it is lived in freedom and that it is worth sacrificing it for the freedom of future generations. That belief, that perseverance, and that familiar Serbian defiance carried us through difficult times. This region has seen far too many wars, enough for three histories. Yet our history, unlike that of many other nations and states, is marked by a constant struggle for justice and truth, said the Minister of Defence.
Speaking to the veterans, Minister Gašić stressed that they are a living testament to bravery and perseverance, and that this ceremony serves as a reminder that their deeds will not be forgotten and that “we will carefully protect Serbia’s freedom and the noble ideals of the military profession”.
- Thank you for every moment you spent on duty. Thank you for every decision you made for the benefit of Serbia, for every mission you completed, for every effort, and every sacrifice. This is also an opportunity to remember a not-so-distant past, when the leaders of our state and our armed forces turned their backs on veterans, when, under the guise of political correctness, but in truth, mere flattery, the truth was silenced: that we had been attacked by someone, in violation of every law and principle of justice, and that we had defended ourselves heroically and remained undefeated. Many of you, dear brothers and sisters, became unwanted witnesses to a history that some wanted to reshape or forget. A little over a decade ago, we said: enough! We are who we are because of everything generations of patriots built and defended. That is why we decided to bring every deed and act of valour into the light, to recognize and honour true merit, and to call wrongdoing by its rightful name - Minister Gašić emphasized.
He said that, “While we strive to win today’s battles through cooperation, wise policies, and the power of dialogue, we never forget the path that brought us peace and independence, nor the price that was paid for the prosperity we enjoy today”.- We do not pretend that Serbia and the Serbian people have no enemies. That is why our readiness and determination to build a capable military is stronger than ever. The recently held Power of Unity military parade, in which you also took part, demonstrated the full power, the equipment, and the proficiency of the Serbian Armed Forces. I assure you that both the state and military leadership will continue investing in our defence system, because no matter how smart or wise our decisions and negations may be, the Serbian Armed Forces remain the strongest deterrent against any potential aggressor. Dear veterans, it is our shared duty to pass on freedom to the youth of this country, but also the solemn duty to defend it – always and at any cost - the Minister of Defence emphasized.
Minister Gašić noted that every opportunity must be seized to instil strength and confidence in young people, reminding them of the high price paid so that they could live freely on their own land today.
- The price of peace is high, but it is far cheaper to preserve it than to fight for it again and again. Our strength and readiness to defend our homeland are the greatest contribution to lasting peace in this region. This is a message to both our friends and our adversaries alike – Serbia is independent, and only its citizens will decide on its future. In the name of the future and everything you have sacrificed for it, I warmly congratulate you once again on Veterans’ Day, with the sincere hope that we will continue to celebrate it together, in unity and pride, for many years to come – Minister Gašić said.
At the grand Power of Unity military parade, a sub-echelon of veterans held a special place. In recognition of that, Minister Gašić awarded the military commemorative medal for outstanding contribution to the defence system to Brigadier General Radojko Sefanović (Retd) commander of the veterans’ sub-echelon.
The central ceremony commemorating Veterans’ Day was attended by members of the Defence Minister’s and Chief of the General Staff’s collegiums, representatives from the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, Serbian government officials, military diplomats, veterans and families of fallen soldiers, as well as representatives of religious communities and traditional and veterans’ associations.
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