CVIJANOVIĆ EXTENDS VIDOVDAN GREETINGS, A VOW TO PRESERVE AND STRENGTHEN SRPSKA

SARAJEVO, JUNE 27 /SRNA/ – The Serb member and Chairperson of the BiH Presidency, Željka Cvijanović, extended her greetings on the occasion of Vidovdan – the patron saint’s day of the Republika Srpska Army, emphasizing that it was the main force in defending the Serb people from suffering and expulsion, as well as Republika Srpska itself, the greatest victory of the Serb people in the 20th century.

Cvijanović stressed that this day, which holds a special and priceless place in Serb history, spirituality, and in national consciousness, is a time to pay due tribute to all patriots who laid down their lives in the Defensive-Patriotic War, as well as to all war veterans and families of the fallen. “Their immense sacrifice and the memory of them are a lasting obligation and a vow to future generations to preserve and strengthen Republika Srpska,” Cvijanović said in her greeting to Brigadier Goran Maksimović, Commander of the Third Infantry /Republika Srpska/ Regiment of the BiH Armed Forces, its members, and former soldiers of the Republika Srpska Army. She pointed out that the tradition of the brave and honorable Army of Republika Srpska is proudly upheld and preserved from oblivion by the Third Infantry Regiment. “I wish you a happy patron saint’s day and much success in your future work. I extend my most sincere greetings on the occasion of the patron saint’s day of the Republika Srpska Army and the Third Infantry /Republika Srpska/ Regiment of the BiH Armed Forces, with the wish that each future Vidovdan is marked in a free, stable, and successful Republika Srpska,” Cvijanović stated. The Assembly of the Serb People in BiH, at its session in Banja Luka on May 12, 1992, passed a decision to form the Army of Republika Srpska. It existed from May 12, 1992, until January 1, 2006, after which it became part of the Armed Forces of BiH. A total of 210,000 soldiers served in the Republika Srpska Army, and 23,801 of its members laid down their lives in the Defensive-Patriotic War for the defense of Srpska.