The 106th anniversary of the city’s liberation in the Great War was marked in Smederevo today.
After a memorial service conducted by the clergy of the Serbian Orthodox Church Municipality of Smederevo, the playing of the national anthem and a minute’s silence, wreaths were laid at the Monument to the Fallen Soldiers of the First World War by representatives of the Požarevac Garrison of the Army of the Republic of Serbia, the City of Smederevo, the City Committee of the SPS, the Smederevo Association of Descendants of Warriors 1912–1918 and its Lipe branch, the Association of Descendants of Warriors 1912–1918 Kovin and the City Committee of SUBNOR.
Recalling the importance of this historic day for Smederevo, the President of the City Association of Descendants of Warriors 1912–1918, Branko Milanović, stressed that the Serbian people have paid dearly for their freedom throughout history and that our people must value it.
“Since we are the descendants of our glorious warriors, there is no reason for our people to be divided when it comes to defending Serbia,” said Milanović, calling on all citizens to show patriotic unity and faith in the country’s leadership. He stressed that history should be left to historians, who will present the facts accurately.
His address was followed by a poetic moment from the poet Mirjana Cvetković, who recited the poem “Lullaby for Our Dearest”.
The monument at which the wreaths were laid to mark the Day of the Liberation of Smederevo in the First World War was erected and consecrated on 1 December 1926, the day marking the proclamation of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes.
Most of the testimony about the liberation of Smederevo in 1918 is preserved in the war diary of Major Dušan Dodić, under whose command that decisive battle was fought.
