MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR 99 SERB SOLDIERS HELD

ISTOČNA ILIDŽA, JUNE 27 /SRNA/ – A memorial service was held and flowers were laid today at the memorial in Kasindo, Istočna Ilidža, for the 99 fallen soldiers of the Republika Srpska Army, as part of the marking of Kasindo Battalion Days.

Slobodan Maunaga, the speaker of the Ilidžanski Borac Veteran Organisation Assembly, recalled the glorious wartime path of the Kasindo Battalion, stressing that its members did not conquer anyone else's territory but only defended their centuries-old homes, families, the elderly, women and children. "Republika Srpska was created on the Sarajevo-Romanija Plateau, from Treskavica and Olovo to Dobrinja, while the Kasindol Battalion members were only defending what was theirs, without encroaching on anyone else's," Maunaga said. In his address, Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Boško Tošović said that the great sacrifice of the Serb soldiers would never be forgotten because they suffered martyrdom for the Fatherland, the Serb people and the Holy Cross. Istočna Ilidža Mayor Marinko Božović said that a large number of civilians had also lost their lives in this area and were being honoured today as well. He added that this event, like those held in previous years, is marked by due respect and appreciation for the heroic struggle of Serb soldiers and police officers from the Istočna Ilidža area. Božović expressed particular satisfaction that many children and young people, descendants of Serb soldiers, were among those attending. Anđela Vujadin, granddaughter of the legendary commander of the Kasindo Battalion, Boško Vujadin, told the press that she was proud of the courage and patriotism of her late grandfather and his comrades-in-arms. She stressed that it was significant that her grandfather's legacy had left a deep mark on younger generations, who remember his heroic deeds with great respect. A reception for the families of fallen soldiers was also organised in Kasindo today. The Kasindo Battalion Days event officially began on Friday, June 19, with the 25th Boško Vujadin Memorial Five-a-Side Football Tournament. The programme also includes chess, table tennis and basketball tournaments, as well as other accompanying events. The Kasindo Battalion Days is held in memory of the battalion's commander, Boško Vujadin, and the other soldiers from this area who lost their lives. Ninety-nine members of the Kasindo Battalion laid down their lives in the foundations of Republika Srpska, while together with members of the First and Second Sarajevo Brigades and the Armoured Unit, more than 130 soldiers of the Republika Srpska Army were killed on the front lines from Olovo to Treskavica. The event, which ends tomorrow, is organised by the Kasindo Local Veterans Association under the auspices of the Ilidžanski Borac Veterans Organisation and the Municipality of Istočna Ilidža.