Komšić in Kakanj: A generation of brilliant Bosnians and Herzegovinians clashed with brutal fascism and defended their homeland with victory!

(Patria) Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Željko Komšić attended, among numerous guests, the 27th traditional gatherings of recipients of the highest wartime awards of the Army of the Republic of BiH, which were held today in Kakanj, as part of the commemoration of Golden Lilies Day.

The Association of Recipients of the Highest Wartime Awards of the Zenica-Doboj Canton (SDNRPZDK) and the Association of Recipients of the Highest Wartime Awards from Kakanj were the technical organizers this year of this event, organized by the Association of Recipients of the Highest Wartime Awards of the Federation of BiH, which brings together recipients of the wartime Army award “Golden Lily” and the awards “Police Medal for Bravery” and “Golden Police Badge” of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of BiH.

The gatherings began with a gathering in front of the Central Memorial to the Martyrs and Fallen Soldiers in Kakanj, in front of which flowers were laid, a history lesson was held, and units of the Armed Forces of BiH and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the ZDK were paraded.

After the ceremonial parade of participants through Kakanj, a ceremonial academy was held at the Cultural and Sports Center in that city.

Komšić, who is himself a recipient of the “Golden Lily”, thanked for the opportunity to be together again today.

- Dear comrades-in-arms, members of the Army of RBiH, MUP of RBiH, holders of the highest wartime awards - 'Golden Lily' and 'Golden Police Badge', I wish to congratulate you on this day, which is important to all of us who defended BiH. And it is rightly chosen on the day that is commemorated as the Day of Victory over Fascism, because everything that happened from 1941 to 1945 and that fight against fascism is actually a reflection of what happened from 1992 to 1995 - Komšić emphasized.

All of us, he added, who were in both the Army and the MUP of RBiH, “know that we actually clashed with brutal fascism”.

- A brilliant generation of Bosnians and Herzegovinians, to which I had the honor to belong, defended the country. There are many people who do not wear these highest wartime awards, but they were great fighters. Therefore, there is no need for us to create divisions among ourselves. I would ask you, as comrades-in-arms, to transfer at least part of our courage and desire to defend BiH - to not allow enemies to divide and destroy it - to our children and future generations.

And in that sense, today's gathering should be viewed. However, BiH constantly needs to be defended, both in peace and in war. Unfortunately, that is our fate. Today we defend ourselves with different means, and I am sure that we will succeed in that again - Komšić said.

The Vice President of the Federation of BiH, Refik Lendo, also attended the ceremonial commemoration of Golden Lilies Day, as part of the 27th traditional gatherings of recipients of the highest wartime award of the Army of RBiH.

- This day is an opportunity to express our deep respect for the bravest among us and to remember with reverence all those who gave their lives for the homeland. It is our duty to preserve the truth about the defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina and to pass on the memories to future generations - Lendo emphasized.

A total of 1,782 members received the Army award “Golden Lily”, including 13 female members of the ARBiH, of whom 800 were awarded while alive and 982 posthumously, so members of fallen soldiers are also invited to these gatherings.

Approximately 320 police officers received the awards “Police Medal for Bravery” and “Golden Police Badge” of the MUP of RBiH.