Americans greatly appreciate Serbian generals and military commanders from World War I! In the central hall of the War Memorial Complex in the capital of the state of Indiana, Indianapolis, among the six most significant commanders of the Great War from around the world, there is also a large portrait of General-Vojvoda Radomir Putnik.
In a part called the “Room of Sanctities,” which resembles an ancient pantheon, in front of the framed portrait of Putnik, there is also a pedestal with a dedication that reads: “General Radomir Putnik, Supreme Commander of the Serbian Army in the period 1914-1916.”
IN THE COMPANY OF FAMOUS COMMANDERS: Vojvoda Radomir Putnik among world greats
The Serbian delegation, which included Andrija Zečević, Consul General, and Aleksandar Milić, Vice Consul of the Consulate General in Chicago, as well as Colonel Darko Glišić, Serbian Military Attaché in Washington, was pleasantly surprised when Brigadier General Stuart Goodwin, former commander of the Indiana National Guard, who was their host, drew their attention to the portrait of the Serbian general located in the main hall of the Memorial Center.
A PLACE WHERE HISTORY IS PRESERVED FROM OBLIVION: Memorial Complex in Indianapolis
“General Goodwin, who is a recipient of the American Legion of Honor, explained to us that the curators of the Museum in their lectures to visitors of the Memorial Center speak about our General Putnik as one of the greatest world military strategists, a man who, with his tactics, defeated the far superior forces of Austria-Hungary at Cer and Kolubara, and later, by retreating across Albania, saved the Serbian army, which later, in a victorious charge, broke through the Salonika front and liberated Europe,” Consul General Andrija Zečević told Serbian Times, adding that on this occasion, General Goodwin was presented with a plaque from the Serbian Army for his exceptional contribution to cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries.
FRIENDS AND ALLIES: Colonel Glišić presents General Goodwin with a plaque from the Serbian Army
He adds that General Goodwin emphasized that American officers who know history greatly appreciate the contribution of the Serbian army in both world wars, and mentioned Operation Halijard and the rescue of over 500 American pilots from occupied Serbia as a heroic epic that Americans will forever remember and be grateful to the Serbian people for.
“We owe great thanks for this visit to Colonel Glišić and the Serbian Army, who have long maintained friendly relations with this museum. Incidentally, in the showcases of the Memorial Center in Indianapolis, among the exhibits, there are also Serbian women’s military boots, also from the First World War,” Zečević points out.
SERBIAN WOMEN’S MILITARY BOOTS: Among the exhibits of the Memorial Center in Indianapolis
After visiting the Memorial Center, the Serbian delegation also met with Diego Morales, Secretary of State of Indiana, with whom they had a very pleasant and open conversation.
“Mr. Morales, who made history in this American state as the first person of Latin origin in that important position, emphasized that he sees our country as a great American friend, and that he will strive to strengthen economic ties between Serbia and his Indiana,” says Aleksandar Milić, Vice Consul of the Republic of Serbia in Chicago.
DIPLOMACY IN ACTION: Announcement by Secretary of State Morales about the visit of the Serbian delegation
As a result of this diplomatic visit, it is expected that several more exhibits from the First World War will soon arrive from Serbia to the War Memorial Center in Indianapolis, which will increase the Serbian collection, including four war flags that were previously on permanent display at the Museum.
American children and visitors to the largest and most important museum in this American state will learn about them in the future.
The Serbian delegation was also invited on this occasion to the inauguration of the new governor of Indiana, Mike Braun, which will be held on January 13 in Indianapolis.
Author: Antonije Kovačević Photo: Privatna arhiva, Praharsh M. Patel, Mark McLain