110TH ANNIVERSARY OF BATTLE OF KAJMAKČALAN COMMEMORATED

BELGRADE, SEPTEMBER 30 /SRNA/ - Serbia remembers its heroes, preserves freedom and seeks peace, Serbian Minister of Labor, Employment, Veterans' and Social Affairs in a technical capacity Milica Đurđević-Stamenkovski said, leading a ceremony marking the 110th anniversary of the Battle of Kajmakčalan, one of the most significant battles fought by the Serbian Army in the Great War.

Wreaths were laid and tribute was paid in remembrance of the Serbian heroes who, in September 1916, following the Albanian Golgotha and recuperation on Corfu, captured Kajmakčalan - the "gateway to freedom" - and once again set foot on the soil of their homeland, the Serbian Ministry of Labor, Employment, Veterans' and Social Affairs said.

Đurđević-Stamenkovski stressed that Serbia today preserves its freedom with a strong and modern army, but with a clear commitment to preserving peace.

"Our strength is not a threat to anyone - it is a guarantee that we will protect our country, freedom and peace for generations to come," Đurđević-Stamenkovski said.

She noted that from Gazimestan to Kajmakčalan, two flowers preserve the memory of the Serbian people - the Kosovo peony, which has remained the flower of Serbian sacrifice and covenant, while Natalie's ramonda has become the flower of Serbian resurrection.

"The peony reminds us of those who fell, while the ramonda reminds us that after a fall we must rise again," Đurđević-Stamenkovski said.

Đurđević-Stamenkovski stressed that Kajmakčalan bears the strongest testimony to Serbia's return following the tragic year of 1915, when Serbian soldiers once again set foot on the soil of their homeland, and when they captured the summit, they removed their caps, knelt down and kissed the earth.

"On Vid, they lowered their dead into the sea, while at Kajmakčalan the living once again touched Serbia," Đurđević-Stamenkovski said.