33rd Anniversary of the Third Corps of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Marked in Maglaj

(Patria) - A ceremonial marking of the 33rd anniversary of the founding of the Third Corps of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina was held in Maglaj today. The Third Corps, founded on December 1, 1992, operated in the area of Zenica, Kakanj, Travnik, Jajce and numerous other municipalities. The Corps headquarters was in Zenica, and the commander was General Enver Hadžihasanović.

In the defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Third Corps made a huge contribution: 6,343 martyrs and fallen soldiers, 277 members were awarded the wartime recognition "Golden Lily", while 41 members received the "Golden Police Badge".

The event began with a parade through the Homeland Park – Lily Park, laying flowers at the memorial, followed by a ceremonial academy, where the Prime Minister of the Zenica-Doboj Canton, Nezir Pivić, and the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Adnan Sirovica, addressed those present.

Prime Minister Nezir Pivić pointed out that the first half of the 1990s represents one of the most difficult periods in the history of our homeland, but also an extremely important moment in the military history of our people and state. The Third Corps was a strong obstacle to the goals of the aggressor, and the courage of its units was seen on the defense lines and in liberation operations throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina – from Vozuća and Vlašić to the liberation of Bosanska
Krajina.

"We paid for the defense of our homeland with the blood of thousands of martyrs, fallen soldiers and wounded, to whom we pay special tribute on this day. Without their courage and sacrifice, we would not be living in the freedom we have today," said Prime Minister Pivić.

Pivić emphasized the importance of preserving the memory of the defensive-liberation war and taking care of the veteran population. He congratulated all Bosnian-Herzegovinian patriots and citizens of the Zenica-Doboj Canton on the 33rd anniversary of the formation of the Third Corps, with the wish that the memory of its magnificent war path lives long.

Minister for Veterans' Affairs Adnan Sirovica emphasized that the Third Corps of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina represents the backbone of the defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the guarantor of the freedom we live today. He added that it is the obligation of all institutions not to allow the heroism of the defenders to be forgotten, and to prevent the distortion of the truth and attempts to equate the victim and the aggressor.

"Care for the veteran population and nurturing the culture of remembrance are a permanent obligation, and the position of defenders and their families is one of the priorities of the institutions of the Zenica-Doboj Canton. The Ministry and the Government continuously provide support through concrete measures, programs and increased budget funds. In the coming period, the adoption of a veteran supplement at the Federation level is expected, which will further strengthen support for veterans from the canton," said
Minister Sirovica.

Prime Minister Pivić added that budgets are not sufficient to meet all the needs of defenders and their families, but that the Government is doing its utmost with the available resources. This, as he emphasized, is an obligation and duty towards the heroes who
defended the highest human and civilizational values.