Today in Trebević, near Vidikovac, the “Day of the Juvenile Soldier” was marked with a large presence of members of veterans’ associations, families of fallen soldiers, their friends, and representatives of all levels of government.
“This category of fighters deserves to have this kind of commemoration and must not be forgotten, nor should their contribution to the war be ignored. For the first time after thirty years, we commemorate this day institutionally in this way, because this day is recorded in the official calendar of significant events.” , said Sanel Krušćica, president of the “Minor Fighters of the RBiH Army – Stari Grad Municipality” association.
In addition to the President of the Association, Osman Smajlović, the Assistant Minister for Veteran Affairs in the Canton of Sarajevo, and Emir Bićo, a councilor in the Stari Grad Municipal Council, addressed those present, on whose initiative the procedure for making a decision on changing the name of the street was initiated, and that the road in the area of the Municipality of Stari The city – MZ Širokača, which stretches from the Observatory, along the bobsleigh track to Vidikovac on Trebević, is named “Alije Oruča Street”, the youngest killed underage fighter in the Municipality of Stari Grad.
“The category of underage combatants is not recognized in the law, so I am particularly proud of the fact that I have been given the opportunity to initiate and, through further action, the initiative on the official Day of Underage Combatants, which is on the calendar of significant events, through my work in the Municipal Council. At the same session I also initiated the initiative that started the procedure for naming Alije Oruča Street, which was later confirmed through the Assembly of the Canton of Sarajevo. I consider it my duty to do everything in my power for the veteran category, and especially for minor veterans,” said Emir.
Alija Oruč was born on July 3, 1976. As a minor fighter from Grličić Brdo, at the very beginning of the aggression, he joined the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the defense of the city. The first unit he was in was Bosnia 101, and after the formation of the brigades, he was in the First Mountain Brigade. Although he was forbidden to participate in actions, he found ways to secretly join, and participated in almost every action of his brigade.
It was the same in the action at Pita stijene, on the fateful May 30, 1993, where he lost his young life in direct combat.
The Day of the Underage Fighter was marked with the large presence of members of veterans’ associations, families of fallen fighters, their friends, and representatives of all levels of government. On this occasion, certificates of appreciation were presented to individuals and collectives who through their work and engagement in society aimed at preserving the culture of memory of fallen fighters, Klix.ba reports.
