06.05.2014.

Marking the Day of the Guard

With a ceremony in Dedinje barracks today, Members of the Serbian Armed Forces Guard have marked the day of its formation, which took place when the first company of the Prince's Guard – Guardia lined up in Pozarevac in 1830.

The ceremony and demonstration of a part of competency and techniques of that unit were attended by Tomislav Nikolic, President of the Republic of Serbia, Bratislav Gasic, Minister of Defence, General Ljubisa Dikovic, Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces, with members of the collegium, Brigadier General Milomir Todorovic, Guard Commander, Belgrade Mayor Sinisa Mali, representatives of religious communities, the diplomatic corps and representatives of the organizational units of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces.

Congratulating the members of the unit with the longest tradition in the Serbian Armed Forces on their holiday, President Nikolic recalled the rich tradition and history of the Guard in the region, noting that it was then, as well as it is now, that young men of the unit were chosen "according to their stature and reputation".

- I am honoured to work with you every day, but it is also an honour to be in the unit with the longest tradition in the Armed Forces, one which is in many ways unique, exquisite formation, which now performs specific tasks of the utmost importance - President Nikolic said, adding that being distinguished by its recognisability, and successfully performing all its tasks and achieving the current level of operational and functional capabilities, the Guard is an active part of the modern and functional Serbian Armed Forces.

According to him, the Guard has so far taken an active role in all the reforms of the defence system, and a new visual identity for the unit had been designed with the support of the Ministry of Defence, and since recently women have been part of the unit as well.

- An elite unit since its creation, the Guard nowadays represents the level of training, military honour, glorious tradition and reputation of the Serbian Armed Forces, its mirror, while keeping up with modern trends. Guard members are characterized by exceptional qualifications. Being among modern units, our Guard establishes new high standard of knowledge and training, for which it is evaluated as one of the best in the world – the President of the Republic emphasized.

Speaking to the members of the Guard, President Nikolic said that they confirm from day to day that they have a military gift, awareness and responsibility, a high level of maturity, sacrifice, and military knowledge, adding that the citizens of Serbia truly appreciate these values.

- I believe that you will, as always, by your professional and responsible approach to the tasks assigned to you, show only the best, and it is the superior discipline and qualification, which is a requirement for the honour, elite and representative ranks. I wish to congratulate you on the Guard Day wishing you to be successful, as always, and to represent the Serbian Armed Forces and the defence system and the country as a whole with dignity and to the pride of all of us – President Nikolic said.

General Todorovic, Commander of the Guard, pointed out that the values of that unit were built by many generations of officers and soldiers, giving it all their best, so it is now the pride of its people and the army. Todorovic said that the Guard, in accordance with its capabilities, will improve the system of training and operational capabilities, being aware of its responsibilities.

On the occasion of the Guard Day, General Todorovic presented a plaque to President Nikolic for his contribution to the development of that unit and the generous support he provides to it.

As part of today's ceremony, a new permanent display in the memorial room of the Guard in the Dedinje barracks has been opened. Portrait of Milos Obrenovic was specially made for this occasion by painter Zoran Greteljanovic, and his bust was made by sculptor Ljubisa Mancic.

President Nikolic wrote in the memorial book: "Not all memorial rooms are the same. They are only united by the idea of unforgivableness. Let's not forget the dead and may it never happen again".

Members of the Serbian Armed Forces Guard marked the day of its formation on 6th May 184 years ago, which took place when the first company of the Prince's Guard – Guardia lined up in Pozarevac on the same date in 1831. In 1831 this unit included the musical band - Serbian Prince Band, and Prince Milos Obrenovic previously asked the officers to select for him the best boys by stature and reputation from their districts. During and after the Second World War, the core of the Guard and future Guard battalion was the Escort Battalion of the Supreme Headquarters of the People's Liberation Army. From the Escort Battalion, as of the 1st November 1944, Guard Brigade of the Yugoslav People's Army was formed, and on 1st November 1994 the Guard Brigade was formed.

For its contribution to the strengthening of respect and defence capabilities of the country, Guard Brigade was awarded four medals and numerous other honours and awards, and in furtherance of the reform process it was reorganized to the Serbian Armed Forces Guard in late November 2006.

Members of that unit are responsible for the protection of persons at the highest civil and military positions, security of vital facilities of the defence system, and performing military honours and protocols for domestic and foreign government officia