Prilep, 7 August 2025 (MIA) - August 8 is a day when people with ill-intentions reached for our piece of land, a day that even after 24 years awakens feelings of pride but also of sorrow, said Lieutenant Colonel Sashko Paleski, commander of the “Mirche Acev” garrison in Prilep, during Thursday evening’s commemoration of the 24th anniversary of the death of 10 army reservists at Karpalak.

Several delegations and family members paid their respects at the memorial in the barracks, which marked the beginning of events commemorating the anniversary of the death of 10 citizens of Prilep who were killed in an ambush on an army convoy in 2001 near Karpalak.

The ten army reservists who were killed in the ambush were Sasho Kitanoski, Nane Naumoski, Branko Sekuloski, Marko Despotoski, Erdovan Shabanoski, Ljube Grujoski, Darko Veljanoski, Vebi Rushitoski, Goran Minoski, and Pece Sekuloski.

“We carry a sense of pride for the heroism of our comrades – Nane, Sasho, Vebi, Branko, Goran, Erdovan, Darko, Ljube, Peco and Marko, members of the unit’s reserves – but also feelings of grief and sorrow due to the self-sacrifice of our heroes who, as loyal and honorable citizens, fulfilled their sacred duty, answered the call, and laid down their lives in defense of the homeland,” Lieutenant Colonel Paleski said. 

Paleski stressed that the memories of the fallen will be preserved with a message for such things to never be repeated.

“It remains our duty, and the duty of future generations, to preserve the memory, to honor it, to remember, and never allow it to happen again,” Paleski added.

Igor Petreski, President of the “Karpalak” association and one of the survivors, said Prilep is honoring the fallen soldiers with dignity, but, he said, this is not true for the entire country.

“We’re not asking for special rewards. We went to defend our homeland. All we ask is for this society to show even a little attention to the dead. Somehow, it is as if they are fading into oblivion. Many have died, yet few are remembered. They are only remembered because we insist on it on this day,” Petreski said. 

Those attending the commemoration at the barracks also visited the memorial room, where memories of the fallen are preserved.

Events honoring the fallen defenders will continue at the monument in the village of Lenishte and with an evening service at the “St. Petka” monastery in the same village.

The central commemoration for the 10 fallen defenders will take place on August 8 at 1 p.m. in front of the Karpalak monument in the center of Prilep.

Delegations will visit the final resting places of the soldiers in Prilep and surrounding settlements, and also pay their respects at the site of the ambush.

Photo: MIA