“REPUBLIKA SRPSKA IS OUR VIDOVDAN COVENANT”: The patron saint day of the Army of Republika Srpska was celebrated, we remember the 23,801 heroes who wove their lives into its foundations!

The Army of Republika Srpska and the Third Infantry Regiment “Republika Srpska” celebrated their krsna slava — Vidovdan.

This holiday is one of the most significant dates in Serbian history, and Republika Srpska is the fulfillment of the Vidovdan covenant of the Serbs from this side of the Drina, it was stated from the central ceremony held in Prijedor. The Army of Republika Srpska played a key role in this, and that is why the sacrifice of those who built their lives into the foundations of Srpska must never be forgotten.

More than 220,000 fighters passed through the Army of Republika Srpska. 23,801 built their lives into the foundations of Srpska. Their sacrifice must not and will not be forgotten, it was stated from the celebration of Vidovdan in Prijedor.

– Each of us, every Serbian fighter, every Serbian knight, carried the cross of the Kosovo heroes on their back. On that path, freedom resurrected, the holy site of Republika Srpska resurrected. On that path, none of us looked at what force was in front of us, but what holy site we were defending — said the Minister of Labor and Veterans’ and Disability Protection of Republika Srpska, Radan Ostojić.

The Vidovdan covenant has remained in our culture and tradition as a symbol that a person steps up when their people need to be defended, said the Prime Minister Savo Minić.

– The Defense-Patriotic War was fought precisely under that covenant. Every time we need to remember history, we must know that the best, the bravest, are not among us. The Serbian fighter has always been under the right flag. Our tricolor was on the right side of history, in every possible war — said the Prime Minister of Republika Srpska, Savo Minić.

For almost six and a half centuries, Vidovdan has been and remains a symbol of freedom, unity, and endurance of the Serbian people, points out the President of Srpska, Sinisa Karan. He states that a people who do not have their own state disappear, and especially are not free.

– When you say Vidovdan, you see 600 years of struggle of the Serbian people for freedom. You see its tragedy, all its falls and all its rises and resurrections. What we want to say today is that the Serbs from this side of the Drina have fulfilled both the Saint Sava and the Vidovdan covenant, and that covenant is called Republika Srpska — emphasized the President of Republika Srpska, Sinisa Karan.

The heritage of the Army of Republika Srpska is now cherished by the Third Infantry Regiment “Republika Srpska” of the Armed Forces of BiH.

– The Serbian soldier has never led wars of conquest, but has exclusively led defensive wars and, in that sacrifice of his, brought freedom to his Serbian people, but also to other peoples — stated the Deputy Minister of Defense in the Council of Ministers, Aleksandar Goganović.

The krsna slava of the Army of Republika Srpska was also celebrated in the barracks in Bijeljina.

– Vidovdan is one of the greatest dates in the history of the Serbian people, which gives many messages of courage and freedom. It is also a day of remembrance for all Serbian heroes from the Battle of Kosovo until today — said the commander of the barracks “Vojvoda Stepa Stepanović”, Bijeljina, Colonel Dragana Stevanović.

From the Battle of Kosovo to the Defense-Patriotic War, Vidovdan remains a symbol of sacrifice and perseverance of the Serbian people. Precisely on these values, it was stated from the ceremony, rests the obligation to nurture the tradition of the Army of Republika Srpska and the memory of all who gave their lives for Srpska.