TRIBUTE PAID TO NATIONAL HERO MAJOR MILAN TEPIĆ

KOZARSKA DUBICA, SEPTEMBER 29 /SRNA/ - Major Milan Tepić showed what it means to sacrifice oneself for one's people when he chose not to break his word that he would defend his country and died after blowing up a military depot near Bjelovar to prevent the weapons from falling into enemy hands, speakers said today in Kozarska Dubica.

Numerous residents of Kozarska Dubica, along with municipal and Republika Srpska officials, paid tribute to Major Milan Tepić, described as the only national hero of the Defensive-Patriotic War, who died on this day in 1991 while defending a military depot at the Bjelovar barracks from Croatian paramilitary units.

Acting Director of the Republic Center for Research of War, War Crimes and Missing Persons Viktor Nuždić told reporters that Major Tepić had carried out an extraordinary act that transcended time and place and showed the meaning of honor and a soldier's life.

"He showed what it means to sacrifice oneself for one's people, and that is especially significant in these areas where the population suffered the most", Nuždić said.

Assistant Minister of Labor and Veterans and Disability Protection Mladen Radić said Major Tepić was one of the greatest heroes of modern times.

President of the Republika Srpska Veterans Organization Milovan Gagić reminded of the heroism of Sinđelić, Obilić and Tepić, saying they had the courage and honor to make sacrifices for their people.

"The message is that such people must be born again and that we Serbs must once again raise and shape such heroes through upbringing and everything else, because otherwise we will not survive", Gagić said.

A memorial service for Major Tepić was held at the local cemetery in Komlenac in the presence of his son Aleksandar Tepić, family members, friends, officials and citizens.

The Day of Remembrance was then marked with a commemorative program near Tepić's bust in the Park of National Heroes in Kozarska Dubica.

Kozarska Dubica Mayor Igor Savković told reporters that Milan Tepić, a native son of Kozarska Dubica, was a symbol of courage and honor during the Defensive-Patriotic War.

"Here in his birthplace, Komlenac, we have also begun construction of a memorial to Major Tepić and all the fallen fighters from this area", Savković said, adding that the first phase of the project, worth a total of BAM 134,700, had been completed.

He said funding for the monument would be provided by the Republika Srpska Government and the municipality.

Many residents of Kozarska Dubica still remember the words from Major Tepić's letter: "People give their word only once - it either stands or is broken. I gave my word that I would defend this country if it ever found itself in difficult times".

A commemorative cultural program was also held to mark the Day of Remembrance for the national hero.

Those attending included MP Dragan Brdar, Banja Luka Mayor Draško Stanivuković, Kozarska Dubica Mayor Igor Savković, members of the Third Infantry Republika Srpska Regiment, as well as numerous veterans, students and citizens.

JNA Major Milan Tepić died on September 29, 1991, at the Bedenik barracks near Bjelovar after blowing up a military depot and himself rather than surrender weapons that, according to the account, could have been used against his soldiers.

For that act, Major Tepić was posthumously awarded the Order of the People's Hero by decision of the Presidency of the SFRY.

The program marking the "September Days of Defense Against the 1995 Croatian Aggression" in Kozarska Dubica concluded with the Day of Remembrance for Major Tepić.