MOTHER OF STOJADIN MIRKOVIĆ KILLED WITH MAJOR TEPIĆ RECEIVES VETERANS' COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL

BELGRADE, OCTOBER 7 /SRNA/ - Serbia's acting Minister of Labor, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs Milica Đurđević Stamenkovski today presented a Veterans' Commemorative Medal to the mother of fallen soldier Stojadin Mirković, who was killed alongside Major Milan Tepić near Bjelovar 35 years ago.

Anica Mirković said that was the only time her son had disobeyed his commanding officer.

She said she had waited four years for an exchange that allowed her to bury her son, adding that it meant a great deal to her that the anniversary of his death had been commemorated in recent years and that honors were paid to him in the presence of the military.

"For me as a mother, it is a great comfort to see that my child has not been forgotten," she said.

Đurđević Stamenkovski, who presented the medal to Mirković at the family home in Donja Leskovica near Valjevo, said preserving the memory of fallen soldiers was an obligation of both the state and society, and that the families of those who gave their lives deserved lasting respect and attention.

She said the Veterans Commemorative Medal was a symbol of gratitude and respect for fallen soldiers and their families, as well as confirmation that their sacrifice remained part of the collective memory of the people and the state, the Ministry of Labor, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs said.

A monument to Stojadin Mirković has been erected in Valjevo and one of the city's streets bears his name, preserving the memory of the young soldier and his sacrifice.

Stojadin Mirković was only 19 when he was killed near Bjelovar on September 29, 1991.

A Yugoslav People's Army /JNA/ soldier and armored personnel carrier driver, he stayed with Major Milan Tepić during an attack on the Bedenik military depot.

Although his commander ordered him to withdraw, Mirković chose to remain at his position, where he was killed alongside Tepić.