Greeting the attending, he thanked the veterans who had dedicated their working lives to the service of the people and the country, and defended them even during the most difficult times for Serbia. "By guarding our house and protecting all of its children, you have earned the eternal respect of the people. Unfortunately, in past times, the state had unfairly denied you that respect. Irresponsible people, who were once at the head of the state, also prevented us from keeping the memory of our heroes, unjustly removed many from service, sent those who defended our homeland to foreign courts, made disastrous, devastating decisions for the state and deliberately destroyed the capacities to defend it. Tanks, armoured vehicles, air defence equipment were melted down, cut up, sold for nothing. We managed to change all that. We have made the attitude toward you, our police, our army, worthy and essentially changed it by implementing the state policy of President Aleksandar Vucic at all levels”, said Dr Orlic.

He pointed to today’s improved working conditions, material and technical, for the army and the police, and thanked the veterans for carrying out numerous and significant humanitarian actions, as well as for promoting the army and the police among young people. "Through their work, the members of our army and police have for our people become a symbol of the most beautiful virtues and the highest moral characteristics - courage, strong will, perseverance, patriotism and steadfastness in the fulfilment of entrusted tasks. Thank you for the selfless love you have shown Serbia," concluded Dr Orlic.

After the ceremony, the National Assembly Speaker was awarded a plaque of the SPU Veterans’ Association.