The Day of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina was solemnly marked in Mostar with a series of events. In the presence of Bosnia and Herzegovina patriots, demobilized fighters, war invalids, family members of martyrs, a monument to the fallen and missing soldiers of the company from this part of the city was unveiled in the Donja Mahala neighborhood. It is located next to the Memorial Room of the Defense and Liberation War in the complex of the “Sons of Mahale” Citizens’ Association.
The idea of the monument was born at the beginning of the year, after which the conceptual solution was created by the academic painter Anel Pala. Funds were soon collected and the monument was unveiled today.
“It was discovered by the fighters of the ‘Donja Mahala’ company.” Earlier, we had the idea that the monument should be unveiled by our neighbor Bega, whose two sons died defending Mostar and Bosnia and Herzegovina within five days of each other.
However, it would be too emotional for hik, so we gave up on the idea. Thank you to everyone who came today on an extremely important day in the history of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and was there with us during the celebration,” said Dževad Pašić, president of the Association “Sons of Mahala”.
For today’s ceremony, the association did not send invitations to representatives of institutions and political officials. Their desire was above all to have demobilized fighters and members of martyr families at the event.
“We have sent an invitation to all citizens to join us and celebrate an extremely important date together. The Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina played a key role in the defense and survival of the country. That is why we are saddened by the fact that April 15 in some other places does not get the treatment it should have. The families of the martyrs, their children, and the demobilized fighters unfortunately live a difficult life today, some even on the brink of existence, and that is unacceptable,” says Pašić.
Next to the monument, there has been a Defense-Liberation War Memorial Room for several years, where exhibits from the time of the heroic defense of Mostar and Bosnia and Herzegovina are on display.
“The number of visits is good. The interest of tourists and guests is great, but we are not able to pay a man who would spend eight hours in a room and be available to visitors. The cantonal government should help us here. All elementary schools should also organize a visit to the memorial room at least once a year, so that the defense and all those who contributed to our freedom today are not forgotten,” said Pašić at the end.
