Prilep, 7 August 2024 (MIA) - The commemoration of the 23-year anniversary of the tragic incident when ten defenders were killed in an ambush near the village of Karpalak on Aug. 8, 2001, began Wednesday at the Mirche Acev barracks in Prilep with the message "Never Again". 

The ten army reservists who were killed in the August 8, 2001, Karpalak ambush were Sasho Kitanoski, Nane Naumoski, Branko Sekuloski, Marko Despotoski, Erdovan Shabanoski, Ljube Grujoski, Darko Veljanoski, Vebi Rushitoski, Goran Minoski, and Pece Sekuloski.

Representatives of the Army, family members, associations of participants in the military conflict, municipality officials, the regional unit of the Ministry of Defence in Prilep, and citizens paid their respects at the memorial to the fallen soldiers. 

Addressing the commemoration, Lieutenant Colonel Slavcho Kuzmanoski, Commander of the barracks, said today and tomorrow should be days to remember and honor the defenders.

"Twenty-three years have passed without our fellow soldiers and friends: Nane, Sasho, Vebi, Branko, Goran, Erdovan, Darko, Ljube, Peco and Marko. Today, we, their loved ones, colleagues, relatives, friends, fellow citizens pay our respects at the memorial in their honor, marking 23 years since their death, with the promise that they will never be forgotten. Today we remember and evoke memories, and some of the immediate participants in the events at the time, through their testimonies, write the history that should not be forgotten," said Kuzmanoski. 

The grief and pain remains, he added, but so does the deep pride that they were part of the barracks unit. 

"It remains our duty and the duty of future generations to preserve the memory of the ten fallen Prilep and Macedonian heroes, to remember the year 2001 and never allow it to happen again," Lieutenant Colonel Slavcho Kuzmanoski said. 

A memorial service will also be held at the St. Petka monastery in the Prilep village of Lenishte on Wednesday.

The central commemoration event is set to be held on Thursday, August 8, in front of the memorial in the center of Prilep, beginning at 1 pm. 

Earlier in the day, delegations will visit the village of Karpalak. They will also lay flowers at the fallen soldiers' graves in the Prilep city cemetery.

Photo: MIA