On May 12, 1992, in order to protect the Serbian people on the territory of BiH, the National Assembly of the Serbian Republic of BiH issued a decision on the formation of the Republika Srpska Army through which more than 210,000 fighters passed, and 23,184 for the defense of Serb life.
The president of the Republic of Srpska Željka Cvijanović sent a message of congratulations to the commander of the Third Infantry (Republic of Srpska) Regiment of the Armed Forces of BiH Brigadier Milan Radojčić, and to officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the Third Infantry (Republic of Srpska) Regiment of the Armed Forces of BiH and to all former members of the Republic of Srpska Army on occasion of St. Vitus Day (Vidovdan) – the Patron Saint Day of the Republic of Srpska Army.
“On behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Srpska and on my own behalf, I send to you my sincere congratulations on occasion of Vidovdan – the Patron Saint Day of the Army of the Republic of Srpska and of the Third Infantry (Republic of Srpska) Regiment of the Armed Forces of BiH.
On this holy day, Vidovdan, date of great importance through history for the Serbian people, we proudly remember the heroic path that the Republic of Srpska Army took to preserve the people and defend centuries-old hearths.
All of us, who today live in peace and freedom, must keep with reverence and gratitude a memory of the members of the Republic of Srpska Army whose lives were built in the foundations of the Republic of Srpska, and foster the memory of their sacrifice, which also represents a permanent obligation for us to guard, defend and develop our Republic.
I believe that you, members of the Third Infantry (Republic of Srpska) Regiment of the Armed Forces of BiH will also in future be dedicated to peace and stability, and will continue preserving and defending the great traditions of the Army of the Republic of Srpska while proudly and professionally responding to all challenges.
With the wish that we celebrate every following St. Vitus Day in an even better and more powerful Republic of Srpska, I congratulate you once again on the holiday,” wrote President Cvijanovic in her congratulatory note.
Serb member of the BiH Presidency Milorad Dodik congratulated members of the 3rd Infantry /Republika Srpska/ Regiment of the BiH Armed Forces, officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers on the patron saint’s day of the Army of Republika Srpska and the regiment, St Vitus Day, which falls on June 28.
Dodik emphasised that the 3rd Infantry /Republika Srpska/ Regiment, which continued to nurture achievements of the Army of Republika Srpska, was a guarantor of the survival of Republika Srpska and Serbs in this area.
He pointed out that the Serb army and Serb people were freedom-loving by nature, always on the side of justice, peace and freedom.
“The Army of Republika Srpska was established in order to protect the Serb people and was the one to make a most honourable impact on the creation and maintenance of Republika Srpska. On this day, we ought to remember the military regiment of the Army of Republika Srpska in the past defence homeland war, all the things it went through to defend the territory of Republika Srpska,” Dodik said in his greeting letter.
Dodik underlined that by paying tribute to the fallen veterans of the Army of Republika Srpska, all of us living in peace and freedom today should cherish the memory of their sacrifice with deep respect and eternal gratitude and added that such sacrifice obliged us to safeguard and defend our Republic and bestow it to the future generations.
“Deeply convinced that we will continue to cherish these values, I wish you a happy patron saint’s day, may your celebration be festive and dignified. I wish you a lot of success in your future endeavours as well as personal and family happiness,” stressed the Serb member of the Presidency Milorad Dodik.
Republika Srpska Prime Minister Radovan Višković congratulated the 3rd Infantry /Republika Srpska/ Regiment of the BiH Armed Forces on Vidovdan/St Vitus Day – the patron saint of the Republika Srpska Army, saying that Vidovdan is a date deeply embedded in the being of the Serb people and soldiers and is of particular significance to the Republika Srpska Army.
Višković stressed that the Republika Srpska Army immeasurably contributed to the creation and preservation of the territory, especially the population of Srpska.
“Serb soldiers have always defended their homes and their people through centuries, never been conquerors but always been for peace and freedom. On this day, we pay special tribute and express our deep appreciation and gratitude to all soldiers of the Republika Srpska Army who have embedded their lives to the foundations of Republika Srpska,” Višković cited in greeting note.
Source: srna
