Anniversary of the death of hero Safet Zajka, who died at Žuč, marked

(Patria) - Bosnia and Herzegovina, on every inch of its soil, remembers the heroes from the defense period of 1992-1995, true patriots who showed their courage and resistance in the most difficult moments for our homeland. 

One of them, the Golden Lily Safet Zajka, who laid down his life 30 years ago, was honored today, with immense gratitude for leading the generation of Bosnian resistance miracle. Family members, comrades-in-arms, and friends first laid flowers at the Central Memorial outside the Municipality of Novi Grad, at Mijatovića Kosa, the place where Safet Zajka fell, and in the harem of Alipašina mosque. 

Among those who paid their respects today was the Minister for Veterans' Affairs of Sarajevo Canton, Omer Osmanović. At the academy dedicated to the heroes from Žuč, Safet Zajka, Safet Isović, and Salko Muraspahić, Minister Osmanović said in his address that it is necessary to teach our youth about the names of the great heroes that our homeland has produced.

"There is not much that we haven't already said about the great hero and legend of the defense of Sarajevo, Safet Zajka, nor are there words of gratitude with which we can repay him and those like him for all that they have given us. What we can do is not let his name be forgotten, to entrust that every child knows his name and that people like Safet Zajka are their role models. If we succeed in this, we can say that we have overcome oblivion. People like Safet Zajka, Safet Isović, and Salko Muraspahić, if they were alive, would certainly be better and more just leaders of this country today. I am immensely sorry that they did not live to see the end of the combat operations and did not taste the fruits of their labor, the freedom we enjoy today. Those who deny genocide are bothered by our signs at the entrance to the city of Sarajevo with highlighted historical facts about the longest siege of a city in modern history," said Minister Osmanović.

These days, Minister Osmanović added, unfortunately, we witness how deep the enemy's roots are, and that we must be vigilant in the face of the aggressor. 

"Because the enemy does not choose their means, they do not choose the words with which they will tarnish the memory of our heroes, with which they will remind families of what we have been through. However, the homeland, despite everything, has those who will defend it, and we will not tire of defending its hard-won freedom. We owe so much to our heroes that Bosnia and Herzegovina remembers. And I will repeat, every day and every hour, it is a pride to be a member of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and to defend its sovereignty," stated Minister Osmanović.

The hero and one of the symbols of the defense of Sarajevo, Safet Zajka, fell on this day in 1993 during reconnaissance operations for Mijatovića Kosa. He was a fighter for Bosnia and Herzegovina and one of the key figures in the defense of Sarajevo during the siege. In addition to a series of high command duties, he remained in memory as the legendary commander of the 2nd Knightly Brigade. 

"It is an honor even to die. One can sacrifice one's life for such a cause," Safet Zajka told Oslobođenje journalist and Radio BiH reporter Šefko Hodžić at Žuč, where he laid down his life.