14.10.2025.
Veteran Commemorative Medals presented to disabled veterans and families of fallen soldiers from Kruševac area
This evening, Minister of Defence Bratislav Gašić and Minister of Labour, Employment, Veteran, and Social Affairs Milica Đurđević Stamenkovski presented Veteran Commemorative Medals to disabled veterans and the families of fallen soldiers from the Kruševac area, at a ceremony held at the City Hall.
On this occasion, Minister Gašić said that the history of our nation is glorious, but also marked by hardship and suffering.- When a state stands on the side of justice and true values from its very beginning, it is often targeted by those who do not. There have always been those who wanted to conquer us, to force us to abandon our principles, those noble values that are etched into our genes and that Serbian identity rests upon. But we have never faltered in those struggles, nor have we betrayed our beliefs. We have never sided with injustice, because that would not be Serbian. Thanks to the heroism of our people, to their steadfast refusal to accept injustice, and to their belief in freedom as the highest human value, today Serbia has people it can be proud of – said the Minister of Defence.
Addressing the veterans in attendance, the Minister of Defence emphasized that through their actions and selfless sacrifice, they engraved into the very foundation of our state the most costly, but to the Serbian people, most beloved word: freedom.
- Your actions are a testament to the dignity of our people and the strength of Serbia. Unfortunately, we are still witnessing constant attacks on our country, old enemies won’t give up, and new ones are emerging. Their methods may have changed, but their goal remains the same. And so does our answer - freedom and justice have no price, and Serbia is more important to us than anything else – said Minister Gašić.He noted that the Serbian Armed Forces are far stronger today than they were in the past.
- By adapting to modern warfare trends, acquiring state-of-the-art weapons and military equipment, modernizing our existing assets, developing our domestic defence industry, and investing in improving the living standards for our personnel, we have built a powerful deterrent against any potential aggressor. Those who do not want the best for Serbia saw what we showed at the grand Power of Unity military parade. That, along with your acts of heroism, which they are well aware of and which they study and respect, helps them realize just how strong and stable Serbia truly is – said the Minister of Defence.
Closing his speech, Minister Gašić said it was his honour to have personally presented commemorative medals to the veterans tonight.- They are not just awards, they stand as a symbol of the deepest respect and eternal gratitude from the Republic of Serbia and all its citizens. Serbia remembers. Serbia honours. Serbia is proud. The memory of your deeds will always be present in every step we take, and we will always be grateful to you for our every peaceful day. This is more than just a memory, for us, it is both a reminder and a promise. A reminder that freedom was fought for, not given, and a promise to protect it for generations to come. Only by keeping this promise can we be worthy descendants. That is why we pledge to safeguard and pass on to future generations what you defended and gave us - freedom, peace, dignity, and the honour of our homeland – emphasized Minister Gašić.
Speaking to the audience, Minister Đurđević Stamenkovski said that the city of Kruševac is a living link with our ancestors and history, adding that freedom has always been cherished by our people as a sacred value. She thanked the Minister of Defence and all members of the Serbian Armed Forces who helped make the presentation of medals to Kruševac veterans possible.- I invite each of you to accept the highest national honour bestowed upon those who defended our homeland during the defensive wars of the 1990s. Let this be a modest gesture of our respect and gratitude for everything you have done for your country, for your Serbia. May this decoration remain in your homes as a lasting testimony to a time that was difficult and full of trials, but one that we, as a nation, endured. And may it be passed on to future generations as a reminder, and a legacy never to be forgotten - Minister Đurđević Stamenkovski emphasized.
The medal ceremony was attended by Brigadier General Slađan Hristov, Head of the Human Resources Department of the General Staff, Colonel Nikola Matović, Head of the Office of the Minister of Defence, and the Mayor of Kruševac, Ivan Manojlović.Veteran Commemorative Medal was established under the Law on the Rights of Veterans, Disabled War Veterans, Civilian Invalids of War and their Family Members, as well as by the Decree on the Veteran Commemorative Medal passed by the Government of the Republic of Serbia in March 2023.
