Two Decades Since Death of Colonel Milenko Pavlović Marked
Saturday, 4.5.2019 | Culture and traditions
Marking two decades since the death of Colonel Milenko Pavlović who lost his life over Valjevo on this day in 1999, during the NATO bombing of the FR Yugoslavia.
Exactly at 12:04 hours, overflight of two MiG 29s in the sky over Valjevo, serving requiem service and wreath-laying ceremony were performed to start marking two decades since the death of Colonel Milenko Pavlović who lost his life over Valjevo on this day in 1999, during the NATO bombing of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
A delegation of the Serbian Armed Forces led by Brigadier General Željko Bilić, Commander of the 204th Air Force Brigade, laid a wreath at the memorial to pilot Milenko Pavlović in Valjevo, and then wreaths and flowers were laid by members of his family, colleagues, Ministry of Interior, the town of Valjevo, Osečina, the Serbian Orthodox Church, the Veterans' Association and the Krušik factory.
The wreaths were also laid at the memorial in the village of Bujačić near Valjevo, today, at the site where Colonel Pavlović's plane fell down.
At the observance under the title “Blue Line of Life” in the Valjevo Centre for Culture, which followed, Brigadier General Željko Bilić, commander of the 204th Air Force Brigade reminded that Colonel Pavlović died defending his homeland, executing the brightest and the most sacred act, sacrificing himself for the defence of his people. He added that after 20 years, the memory of the courage, selflessness, patriotism and heroism of the pilot Colonel Milenko Pavlović, does not fade, but only strengthens.
The event continued with the opening of the street in Osečina, which took the name of the brave pilot. In the hall of the National Library in Osečina, a solemn observance was held in honour of Milenko Pavlović and premiere of the film “Povod” was screened, while the Stanislav Binički choir of the Ministry of Defence had their performance.
Organising the event entitled “Days of remembering pilot Colonel Milenko Pavlović”, members of the 204th Air Force Brigade of the AF&AD and the citizens of Valjevo region showed that even after 20 years, the memory of the brave pilot Colonel Milenko Pavlović does not fade away.
The manifestation continues tomorrow in the home village of Colonel Pavlović in Gornje Crniljevo where wreaths will be laid and cultural and sports program will be held.
Colonel Milenko Pavlović was born in Gornje Crniljevo on 5th October 1959. After completing the military high school in Mostar, he graduated from the Zadar Air Force Academy. He was a pilot of the Yugoslav Army and a commander of the 204th Fighter Aviation Regiment. He was killed in the battle with the NATO aggressor over Valjevo, on 4th May 1999, during the bombing of the FRY. He received numerous awards and decorations.
