Skopje, 10 August 2026 (MIA) - For us August 10 is not only a date, it is a day when Macedonia stands silent in respect and bows before its heroes, a day when, with pride and gratitude, it remembers its Macedonian defenders. Let their example be our guide and their courage serve as an inspiration for some new, present and future generations, said the Mayor of the Municipality of Gjorche Petrov, Aleksandar Stojkoski, at the central commemorative event in the village of Volkovo marking the 25th anniversary of the death of eight army reservists near the area of Ljubotenski Bachila.  

“This memorial will always serve as a testament of the courage, self-sacrifice, and love for the homeland of our fellow citizens of the Municipality of Gjorche Petrov – Rade Jankovski, Ivica Zlatevski, Tome Dimoski, Tomislav Nastevski and Aco Angelovski, as well as our brothers Tome Badarovski, Goce Chankulovski, Marjancho Boshkovski, Branko Janev, who in 2001 laid down their lives near Ljubotenski Bachila defending the country, its peace, dignity, and freedom. Let us speak of these heroes in our homes, mention them in our schools, teach the youth that the freedom we live today has its price and sacrifices,” the Mayor stressed in his speech at the event. 

In his address, the Mayor told the families of the army reservists that their names will never disappear from the Macedonian collective memory.

“Your pain is our pain as well, the pain of our entire society. I am aware that there are no words that can soothe the grief you have carried for 25 years. There is no recognition that can make up for the loss of a son, husband, brother, or father, but there is something we, as a country, municipality, and a nation have a duty to promise you: that their names will never fade from our collective memory and that we will continue to care for and respect their descendants. Be certain that your dignity serves as an example for us all, and their sacrifice is the foundation upon which our freedom is built,” Stojkoski said. 

The observance of the 25th anniversary of the death of the eight army reservists began at 8 a.m. with delegations laying flowers at the memorial to army reservist Tomislav Nastevski in the Municipality of Gjorche Petrov. 

Tributes were paid by representatives of the General Staff of the Army and the Defense Ministry, led by Army Chief of Staff Major-General Sashko Lafchiski; a government delegation composed of the ministers of transport, education, and agricultures – Aleksandar Nikoloski, Vesna Janevska, and Borche Serafimovski. Flowers were also laid by organizations of veterans, pensioners, as well as delegations from the country’s political parties, and members of the families and friends of the army reservists. 

Delegations will also pay their respects at events in the village of Ljubanci, and in the Ilinden army barracks. 

On 10 August 2001, an army vehicle hit two planted mines on a road near Ljubotenski Bachila. Skopje garrison reservists Tome Badarovski, Goce Chankulovski, Branko Janev, Tomislav Nastevski, Marjancho Boshkovski, Ivica Zlatevski, Tome Dimoski and Rade Jankovski were killed in the incident. Police officer Aco Angelovski, who was killed in the village of Arachinovo in an attack on a police patrol in 2000, is also honored on this day.  

Photo: MIA