TRIBUTE PAID TO 29 SERB SOLDIERS KILLED AT ROGOSIJA 34 YEARS AGO

VLASENICA, SEPTEMBER 26 /SRNA/ - The 34th anniversary of the deaths of 29 soldiers of the Army of Republika Srpska in a treacherous enemy attack on this day in 1992 was commemorated at Rogosija near Vlasenica.

The commemorative gathering and memorial service at the Rogosija Memorial Complex were attended by family members of the fallen Serb soldiers, their former comrades, representatives of the Republic Organization of Families of Captured and Fallen Soldiers and Missing Civilians, the Veterans Organization, authorities from Vlasenica and neighboring municipalities, as well as numerous officials and guests.

A memorial service for fallen and deceased soldiers was conducted by Archpriest-Stavrophor Ilija Ilić and Deacon Dejan Vuković, after which delegations laid wreaths and lit candles at the memorial.

During the religious service, a new bell installed on the Rogosija hilltop was blessed and consecrated. It was donated by Vlasenica Mayor Miroslav Kraljević and the Kremenović family.

In an address following the service, Archpriest-Stavrophor Ilija Ilić stressed that the selfless sacrifice of Serb soldiers must never be forgotten.

Kraljević said coming to this sacred place had become a true pilgrimage attracting an increasing number of people.

Reminding that those present had gathered to honor soldiers who gave their lives defending and creating Republika Srpska, he noted that the bell had rung at Rogosija for the first time on this occasion.

"In 1992, neighboring forces from a nearby village attacked these lines in a brutal and treacherous manner and killed 29 of our soldiers in the most horrific way. The images bear witness to something the human mind can hardly comprehend - that so much hatred could exist," Kraljević said.

According to him, Rogosija is not a place people are invited to - it is a place they simply go.

"The message to all young people, pupils, students and families is that the legacy of these soldiers must live permanently within us. If we forget their sacrifice, we will forget ourselves and our own existence. Republika Srpska is our obligation, and these soldiers brought us freedom and peace," Kraljević said.

Mile Simanić, president of the Vlasenica Veterans Organization, said that even after more than three decades, the grief for fallen comrades remained just as deep and painful.

He reminded that the Serb soldiers had found themselves surrounded by a much larger enemy force familiar with the terrain and had resisted for as long as they were able. He said it was particularly painful that, according to accounts from the Serb side, no mercy had been shown to the wounded or captured.

"This is the day when we want to tell the families that their loved ones did not give their lives in vain. As long as we remember them, they remain alive in their families, among us who fought alongside them and in their descendants," Simanić said.

He added that he was particularly encouraged by the growing interest among young people and noted that this year a group of 75 children, hikers, and secondary and primary school pupils had walked to the site to pay tribute.

Simanić said that 304 soldiers from the Vlasenica municipality, including volunteers, had lost their lives and that all of them have a place in the local memorial room.

Isidora Graorac, president of the Republic Organization of Families of Captured and Fallen Soldiers and Missing Civilians of Republika Srpska, said this was one of the darkest days for the entire region and the Serb people, particularly for the families of those who were killed there.

"The message to young people and to everyone who comes after us is that this day must never be forgotten. We must visit the sites of suffering, bear witness and document what happened for future generations. Only in that way can we help prevent the same or similar crimes from ever happening again," Graorac said.

Nada Ninić, mother of fallen soldier Zoran and president of the municipal organization of families of fallen soldiers, reminded that no one had been held accountable before the judicial institutions for the crime.

"I am glad that so many young people are here, so that children know what happened. A terrible crime was committed here against 29 soldiers, who were subjected to brutal abuse. For us, this is a sacred place, where so many lives were lost in a single day and hour," Ninić said.

She added that no one had been convicted or held responsible before the Court of BiH for these crimes.

"All the complaints and appeals are sitting in drawers and no one has moved them from there," Ninić said.

Pelka Sekulić, whose father-in-law Milo Sekulić, a refugee from Vitez, was killed at Rogosija that day, also spoke about the suffering.

"My father-in-law came from Vitez with his family to save himself, and then stayed in Vlasenica with his comrades to defend the people. They were attacked in the morning, tortured and beheaded. It is difficult. Every year we remember and talk about it so that it is not forgotten and so that it never happens again to anyone," Sekulić said.

Secondary school students Jovana Lilić, Nikolina Todorović and Martina Milanović presented literary works for which they received awards in a Vlasenica school competition dedicated to Rogosija.

This year's commemoration was also supported by members of the KPL Cycling Club and the Jurišnik Quad Association, who paid tribute to the fallen soldiers through their participation.