85TH ANNIVERSARY OF USTASHA CRIME COMMEMORATED IN VELIČANI AND RŽANI DO

TREBINJE, JUNE 28 /SRNA/ – The 85th anniversary of the Ustasha crime against Serbs from Popovo Selo and the surrounding area was commemorated today in Veličani near Trebinje and Ržani Do near Ljubinje, while the descendants of the victims recalled the arrest and torture of local residents who were thrown into the Jagodnjača Pit.

A Divine Liturgy was served at the Church of the Holy Archangel Michael in Veličani, while a memorial service was held at the memorial ossuary and the Jagodnjača Pit in Ržani Do, where flowers were also laid. Vlado Setenčić from Dračevo, whose grandfather Vlado and his brothers Vaso and Milan were killed in 1941, told the press that the Ustasha arrested them at their home in Dračevo and took them to the school in Veličani, where they were detained along with other local residents. He recalled that everyone believed nothing serious would happen and that they would simply be questioned, but they realized what was taking place once they arrived at the school. My grandfather broke a window and tried to escape, but he was shot in the leg while fleeing. The following day, the Ustasha found him, captured him, tied him to a truck, and dragged him alive to the pit in Ržani Do, where he was killed. His two brothers were thrown into the pit the next day," Setenčić said. He noted that the names of victims from Dračevo and other villages are inscribed on the memorial ossuary, and that family members participated in the transfer of their remains in 1991. Setenčić said he came today with his cousin and his cousin's son to familiarize them with the tragedy that befell their family, stressing that it is important for both young and old to attend such commemorations, pay tribute to the victims, and light candles. "That is the least we can do for our relatives and ancestors," Setenčić added. Manojlo Ćuk from Veličani, whose uncle Manojlo was only 15 years old when he was thrown into the Jagodnjača Pit, pointed out that this year also marks the 20th anniversary of the restoration of the memorial ossuary. He explained that the structure was severely damaged during the 1992 war, when it was struck several times by artillery shells. In 2006, a seven-member committee was formed to organise its reconstruction and restoration. "The memorial was thoroughly restored, and it is now our duty to preserve it so that it remains a place where people gather to pay tribute to the victims," Ćuk said. The commemoration was organised by the Ržani Do – Veličani – Popovo Polje Civic Association.