DESCENDANTS PROUD OF THEIR ANCESTORS' STRUGGLE FOR SERBIA'S FREEDOM

BELGRADE, MAY 9 /SRNA/ - Descendants of heroes who fought for Serbia's freedom in World War I and World War II emphasize that they are proud of their ancestors' heroism and that they proudly participated in the Immortal Regiment march today in Belgrade, held as part of the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory over fascism.

Sonja Oro, née Milanović, told SRNA that her father, Rade Milanović, was a recipient of the Partisan Commemorative Medal in 1941 and a participant in the liberation of Belgrade, later becoming a general.

"I am proud of that," said Sonja, noting that her father was a member of the 13th Proletarian Brigade "Rade Končar," which was part of the First Proletarian Division.

She said that her father didn’t like to talk much about the war, but he said that the battles for the liberation of Belgrade were tough, that he was among the first to cross the former Old Sava Bridge, and that he saw no one in front of him.

"He fought against fascism and Nazism. In 1941, he was among the first to leave Lika, Korenica. Four of them from that place were the first to take up arms. After the war, he studied in Moscow, the former USSR. I am proud of his ideas of freedom, I continue them, and I hope my descendants will too," said Sonja Oro.

Anđelko Aćimović, the president of the "Angelina" Foundation /named after the student killed in the "Ribnikar" school massacre/, told SRNA that today, during the commemoration of Victory Day, he feels both pride and joy because he is the descendant of his grandfathers who gave their lives for today's freedom.

"Milan, my uncle's son, died on the Srem Front. I can't feel any other way but proud. We must never forget, we must always remember, and nurture the culture of remembrance. History must always be present. We can't move forward if we forget even one letter of our history," said Aćimović.

Mirjana Čorlija said that her grandfather, Radenko Čuturić, was a warrior in the Great War, who went through a Golgotha and witnessed the resurrection of Serbia.

"I wish that all those hard times and stories never repeat and that our children grow up in freedom and love. Long live Serbia and our Republika Srpska!" Čorlija said.

As part of the commemoration of Victory Day, several thousand citizens participated in the Immortal Regiment march in Belgrade, carrying photographs of their ancestors who gave their lives in the anti-fascist struggle.

The Immortal Regiment procession began at the Cemetery of Liberators of Belgrade and ended at Republic Square, where a cultural and artistic program was scheduled for the afternoon, followed by a ceremonial academy in the evening at the National Theater.