DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR 38,000 SERBS KILLED IN THE GOSPIĆ–JADOVNO–PAG CAMP COMPLEX MARKED

BANJA LUKA, JUNE 20 /SRNA/ – A memorial service was held today at the Šaran Pit on Mount Velebit for 38,000 Serbs killed in the NDH’s Gospić–Jadovno–Pag death camp complex, marking the 85th anniversary of the beginning of the massacres.

The head of the Civic Jadovno 1941 Association, Dušan Bastašić, told SRNA that a Divine Liturgy was first served in Smiljan, followed by a memorial service beside the Šaran Pit. Bastašić said that this year’s commemoration demonstrated the association’s commitment to preserving the memory of the horrific suffering of 38,000 Serb victims and passing the truth on to younger generations. “I remind you that no fewer than 8,000 Serbs were killed on the island of Pag alone, and among the 38,000 victims were 73 clergy members of the Serbian Orthodox Church,” Bastašić said. He added that those gathered heard an outstanding address by historian Nemanja Dević, as well as verses recited by poet Olivera Šekularac, who travelled from the Netherlands to attend the event. He recalled that over the past 17 years the association has succeeded in restoring a number of memorial plaques and monuments dedicated to the victims and continues to work on preserving their memory. In the NDH Gospić–Jadovno–Pag death camp complex, 38,000 Serbs were killed between April 11 and August 20, 1941. The commemoration was attended by descendants of the victims and others paying their respects from Republika Srpska, Serbia and the wider region. The event was held with the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasim of Upper Karlovac.