Serbian History 101

Michael Papich has initiated a book report contest for young readers the age of 18 or younger:  “I will donate $100 to the best book report written on The Forgotten 500.”

Since first announcing this book report contest, additional offers of donations to the winners have come in!

Among those who have offered to contribute to the contest reward is Branko Terzic, U.S. Delegate of HRH Crown Prince Alexander, who is donating $200 to be dispersed among the first, second and third prize winners.

Another contributor is Milana (“Mim”) Bizic of Pennsylvania, who is contributing $100, also to be dispersed between the top three winners of the Forgotten 500 Book Report contest. 

UPDATE:

Other contributors were Savo (Sam) Subotich, Catherine Jankovich, Sam and Dorothy Coso, and Curt (Bud) Diles, American Airman WWII rescued by the Mihailovich Serbs.

A final list of the names of the donators and the total amount of the prize winnings will be announced in the letter that will go out announcing the winners of this contest along with their book reports for all to see! Therefore, if you are a young person who is interested in entering this contest, the final prize will actually be a great surprise! A heartfelt ‘Thank You’ to those who have already expressed support for this effort and to those who will join in to make this a success.

Please contact Aleksandra Rebic at ravnagora@hotmail.com if you are interested in donating to this effort and she will let you know where the donations need to be sent. Also, please do your best to encourage the young people in your families, your communities, and your parishes to read this book and write up a report and send it in.
 
Michael Papich is a native of Windsor, Ontario. He currently lives in California and is a retired aerospace electrical engineer. He was one of the early Presidents of the St. Petka Church in San Marcos, California. In 1976, he hosted His Royal Highness Prince Aleksandar during the 200th anniversary there. Also honored at the banquet was Major Richard Felman, one of the over 500 rescued American airmen about whom the book was written. “It’s unfortunate that he is no longer alive as he would have promoted The Forgotten 500 with fervor,” says Papich.
 
Aleksandra Rebic, who published a review of Freeman’s book, is supporting Mr. Papich’s efforts, and all book reports to be considered for the contest should be sent to her at ravnagora@hotmail.com.

Apart from the financial reward for the best essays, the winners' report will be posted on Aleksandra’s three Blogs on the internet dedicated to recognizing and celebrating Serbian heroes, among them General Draza Mihailovich, who was ultimately responsible for the success of the Halyard Mission Rescue Operation and the saving of the American airmen whose story shines in The Forgotten 500. The top five book reports will also be forwarded to Mr. Gregory Freeman, author of The Forgotten 500, and he has kindly offered to provide a personalized, signed first edition of the book to the contest winner.
 
The guidelines for the book report contest are the following:
 
Writer must be 18 years old or younger.
 
There is no limitation on length.
 
Book Report needs to be written in the English language.
 
Report needs to explain why The Forgotten 500 by Gregory Freeman is an important book that should not be ‘forgotten’.
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Aleksandra Rebic graciously shared this letter from Senator George Voinovich that appears on her website blog about General Draza Mihailovich:  www.generalmihailovich.com

A photo of the author, Gregory Freeman, at the WWII Memorial in Washington, DC.

His famous book:

Here's the author's website:

http://www.gregoryafreeman.com/500.html

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The names of the winners of the contest seen here were printed in the American SRBOBRAN in their entirety on Wednesday,  Sept. 2, 2009

First Place:

Michele Popadich, age 15, Chicago Illinois.

Jovanka Potkonjak, age 11, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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Second Place:

Tie!

Marica Potkonjak, age 15, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Andjelka Potkanjak, age 12 Milwaukee, Wisconsin

and:

Djuka Potkanjak, age 14, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Third Place:

Vasilije (Vaso) Katanic, age 10, Hermitage, PA (Farrell)

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Honorable Mention:

Tie!

Dusica Solic, Age 15, Hermitage, Pennsylvania

and

Natasha Ignatowski, Age 11, Franklin, Wisconsin

and

Peter George Majetich, Age 12, Poland, Ohio.

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Congratulations to ALL of the young people who entered this contest, including those listed above and also to those who entered the contest and submitted their fine book reports for consideration.  Just by entering, you proved yourselves true sons and daughters of Liberty!

Thank you all very, very much!