14.10.2026.

Minister Gašić attends official opening of Veterans’ Centre in Kruševac

Today, Minister of Defence Bratislav Gašić attended the official opening of the Veterans’ Centre in Kruševac, a facility designed to serve veterans' organisations and disability associations of the Rasina Administrative District.

In his address, Minister Gašić recalled the laying of the foundation stone early last summer, highlighting that “with the construction of the new facility, we are repaying a portion of our debt to the people of this region who fought for freedom and independence.”

- Here we are, in the very same spot, united in brotherhood and patriotism to celebrate our shared effort and demonstrate that we are people of integrity. Our commitment to treating veterans with the utmost dignity was demonstrated by Aleksandar Vučić’s recent visit and inspection of the final stage of the construction of the Centre. Brothers and sisters, we are not ashamed of our heroes. We do not turn a blind eye to their problems, nor will we allow them to ever be forgotten – the Minister of Defence said, adding that until recently, veterans had felt forgotten, forced to cope on their own.

According to him, it was our duty to right this wrong by providing these brave people with a place to gather, socialise, and organise events to honour the memory of "the people who sacrificed their lives so that we might live in a free country today."

- I say this to you not just as Minister of Defence, but as a man, a son, a father, and a grandfather, as a native of Kruševac who knows many of you personally and understands that your immense experience and sacrifice deserve respect. That is why I want you to know that your concern is not yours alone, but a responsibility shared by all of us. We cannot reclaim the years that have passed or correct every past injustice, but we can change the way our state treats our heroes, because true gratitude is not just a phrase reserved for official ceremonies, just as real respect cannot be expressed in a formal speech. It must be demonstrated through actions, through concrete projects designed to improve the lives of our veterans, disabled war veterans, and the families of fallen soldiers – Minister Gašić said. He added that the opening of the centre was an expression of respect and gratitude to our heroes, and a proof of Serbia’s responsible attitude to its history and future.

Minister Gašić expressed his confidence that the veterans from the Rasina region were proud of the fact that today, the Serbian Armed Forces were much stronger and equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and military equipment, while remaining committed to the values the region’s fighters had upheld throughout their lives and service - honour, courage, and love for the homeland.

- It is these values that we teach our young soldiers and officers. By honouring you, we send them a clear message about who they should look up to. Heroes of the Rasina region, this is your home. May it serve as a place of gathering, togetherness, support, memories, and new ideas. Fill it with pride and joy. Nurture your fellowship and patriotism. Let Kruševac set the standard for other towns in Serbia, so that every one of them erects a memorial to the veterans of the 1990–1999 wars and a centre like this one. As for you, stand united and build strong associations so that you can get everything you need with the support of local authorities. Thank you for everything you have done for Serbia. I am certain that, together, we will continue to win victories, making Kruševac and the entire Rasina region proud – the Minister of Defence said.

The Mayor of Kruševac, Ivan Manojlović, thanked Minister Gašić for his initiative to build the Veterans’ Centre. He emphasised that “the Centre is more than just a building. It is a place that symbolises glory, heroism, and the memory of our heroes.” He expressed his hope that the Centre would become a treasure trove of stories celebrating camaraderie, bravery, honour, and the people who had put their country before their own lives.

Bojan Tomić, a representative of local veterans’ organisations, said that the Veterans’ Centre would be “a place for remembering heroes who laid down their lives for the freedom and glory of the Serbian people.” He emphasised that Minister Gašić’s initiative had been met with full support from the local government, and that the gesture had made the veterans of Kruševac feel truly valued by both their city and the Republic of Serbia.

The official opening of the Veterans’ Centre was attended by representatives of the City of Kruševac, sister cities, veterans’ associations, veterans’ family members, and residents of Kruševac.