MAJOR TEPIĆ DEMONSTRATED HONOR THROUGH A HEROIC ACT

KOZARSKA DUBICA, SEPTEMBER 29 /SRNA/ - Major Milan Tepić demonstrated loyalty to the Serb people, the army and his homeland in a heroic way, showing that honor was his highest value, it was emphasized today in Kozarska Dubica at the commemoration of the Day of Remembrance of the national hero Major Tepić.

The remembrance was marked in Komlenac near Kozarska Dubica, where a memorial service was held at the local cemetery, followed by a commemoration at his bust in the Park of National Heroes in the town center.

Acting Director of the Republic Center for Research of War, War Crimes and the Search for Missing Persons Viktor Nuždić said the fact that Major Tepić is the only national hero from the past war speaks to the weight and importance of his deed.

"His name should not be remembered only on this day. We must pass on the meaning of his heroism to future generations, because the Serbs are both a martyred and heroic people," Nuždić emphasized, adding that every town in Srpska should have at least one square or street named after Major Tepić.

President of the Veterans' Organization of Republika Srpska Radan Ostojić said Kozarska Dubica has both reason to grieve and reason to be proud.

"We are here to pay respect and gratitude, to recall his courage and honor, because he knew how to uphold his oath and the reason for which he gave his life," Ostojić told reporters, noting that Tepić prevented weapons and explosives in the Bjelovar depot from falling into enemy hands, thereby saving many Serb lives.

Deputy Mayor of Kozarska Dubica Marko Tankosić said Tepić did what very few would - gave his life so that others could live in freedom.

"Now it is up to us to honor him, to never forget him and all our fallen soldiers, policemen and civilians, while safeguarding freedom and peace," Tankosić stressed.

Municipal Veterans' Organization President Nenad Bulić called Tepić the greatest hero of the Defense Homeland War and expressed hope that future commemorations will be elevated to a higher level, as Major Tepić certainly deserves.

The commemoration was attended by MPs of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska Dragan Brdar and Milanko Mihajljica, Assistant Minister of Labor and Veterans-Disability Protection Nebojša Vidaković, President of the Kozarska Dubica Municipal Assembly Miloš Banjac, numerous municipal officials, representatives of the Third Infantry Republika Srpska Regiment, delegations of veterans' associations from Kozarska Dubica and Prijedor, as well as Tepić's son Aleksandar, family members and friends.

The remembrance of Tepić's heroism and the fate of his young comrades was poetically evoked in recitations by priest Branko Repaja and writer Nedeljko Katana.