At the commemoration of the 81st anniversary of the “Halyard” mission, Serb member of the BiH Presidency Željka Cvijanović emphasized that this site deserves great attention and respect.
She added that John Capello, president of the “Halyard” Foundation, deserves deep appreciation, as he is responsible for ensuring that true friendship and partnership can be seen.
“I am grateful to all those who are with us here today, to make this place more visible for future generations,” Cvijanović said.
She underlined that the “Halyard” mission has earned profound respect.
- “Our sacred duty is to correct the historical injustice,” she stated.
Cvijanović added that Republika Srpska infinitely values friendship and friends, and every extended hand.
- “Such is the hand that came through the ‘Halyard’ Foundation, which has once again brought us together here and showed that we are truly one when we do good things,” she noted.
Boljanić field, she stressed, is an important place of shared history for the Serbian and American peoples.
- “During Operation Halyard, Serbs saved American and Allied pilots, providing them with clothes, shoes, food, and medicine, and then ensured their safe return home. From the improvised airfield in Boljanić, 60 American pilots were successfully evacuated. In the fight against Nazism and fascism, we were together on the right side of history, and we want it to remain that way in the future. We are proud of the heroes who fought for the freedom of our people, but also for all humanity. With their courage and humanity during Operation Halyard, they brought glory to the Serbian name across the free world. Republika Srpska will forever remember their magnificent deed,” Cvijanović concluded.
Source: RTRS
