CALL ON VETERANS TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE DECEASED COMMANDER

PRIJEDOR, AUGUST 27 /SRNA/ - A memorial service was held in Prijedor on Thursday evening following the death of General Ratko Mladić, and Vojislav Kondić, president of the city’s Veterans’ Organization, called on fellow veterans and patriots of Republika Srpska to pay tribute to the late commander by lighting candles in churches.

Residents of Prijedor gathered this evening at the “For the Honorable Cross” monument and paid tribute to Serbian General Ratko Mladić by lighting candles.

Kondić said that this was a sad day not only for the city of Prijedor, but also for Republika Srpska.

“Today, our commander, our hero, Ratko Mladić, passed away. His fighters, comrades-in-arms and admirers have gathered here to pay tribute to him. The Veterans’ Organization mourns the loss of our commander, and a memorial service was held this evening at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Prijedor,” Kondić told reporters in Prijedor.

Zoran Predojević, a member of the Presidency of the Republika Srpska Veterans’ Organization, said that this was the saddest day for the Serbian people, particularly for Republika Srpska veterans who had lost their wartime commander.

“He was not an ordinary commander; he was one of the legendary commanders who defended their people in the 20th century. By defending his people, he crossed someone and was held accountable for it. I believe this is a unique case in the world, where a commander is being held accountable for defending his people,” Predojević said.

Wartime commander of the 5th Kozara Brigade Tomislav Prpoš said it was difficult to speak following the general’s death.

“He was a great man, a great commander who knew how to lead and did so with pride, and of course we all followed him. That is why I believe we have lost a great man,” Prpoš added.