Serbian History 101

At Jibby's Fly-by (see Draza Mihailovich page in this website!) in Toledo, OH on June 15, 2008, I told the crowd that William Ward once said, "Thinking gratitude and not expressing it, is like wrapping a gift, but not presenting it."  I was so  grateful to be able to express gratitude to Jibby in person with an award for CONTINUED HEROISM on behalf of all the American and Serbian people.

Too, I am thankful to all of the people listed here below who expressed their gratitude by taking the time to tell me about the website.  Thank you to everyone for your kind thoughts! I'm so very appreciative to all of you for your support!  

Mim xox

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Now you've also heard from Alaska.  There is quite a Yugoslavian heritage here, especially in Juneau.  My father was Mayor in Sitka for 12 years and I am now finishing up my second term.  (!!!!!  :-))

Juneau was a mining town and many Serbs worked the mines there.  My grandfather was the one who helped organize the workers for safe and fair conditions.  My father would be an amazing source of information for you. He also speaks the language.  He can tell you all the rich history from the twenties on up.

Regards,
Marko Dapcevich, Sitka, Alaska!!!

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 Very good, Mim!  Bane S., Cleveland, OH

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 EXCELLENT!  Fr. Mateja M., Columbus, OH

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Website looks terrific!   Lana B., Boston, MA 

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 I could not stop looking at this site.  I never knew you created this and it is awesome.  You are amazing!!!!   I loved reading your bio's as you don't brag about your personal accomplishments and I've found out some of them through family and reading about you in newspapers.   As I scrolled down through the photos, I was teary-eyed (but happy tears) at the one of the Muskateers!!! (with their matching ties that they all planned to be buried with!)  I can't wait to show my Father this site.  The Ambridge Kolo photo was great, also!  And, surprise, The Sergeant's even made the site, with Kum Andy & our Tata (again)...he'll really like that!
I have forwarded your site on to my sisters, relatives and friends this morning as I am sure they will love it.  Thank you for your time, talent, and love you put forth for the preservation of our beautiful Serbian history!  Have A good day, (I have to get dressed- haha!)  With love,  Patty S  Aliquippa, PA

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Website is great. I only hope our young people read it (they seem to be glued to internet.) I especially like the photos in color. And I am grateful to your mentioning of my translation of Njegos's "Mountain Wreath." My translation of it is available from Belgrade. Everybody says it is the most readable of all MW translations. Keep up with the good work. The only thing I would like to add is to make it more contemporary. The battle of Kosovo is one thing (on the very day today), but our kids should know more about the present-day Serbia. For example, the success of our tennis player, etc. You have been traveling through Serbia lately and I am sure you have much more to say about it, especially about your meeting young people there.  With best wishes for your success in your future work, your ardent double compatriot Serb , Vasa Mihailovic., Stanford, CT

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Just wanted to say your website is fantastic....bravo.  Haven't read it all yet but enjoyed seeing the Aliquippa church....and esp like the wedding picture showing the entire iconastis with Apost. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  I always wondered why they were removed?  Do you know?  Keep it up, you are an amazing woman!!!  Martha Zatezalo, Weirton, WV

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 I enjoyed your website and have passed it on to all of my children and relatives.  Rade V., Pittsburgh, PA

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I can't beleive this website.  It's fabulous.  Very comprehensive.  I read some but need time to go through everything.  A job well done.  Yvonne P., Aliquippa, PA. 

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Your website is really impressive!  It may be more useful than history lessons for kids.  Svetlana M., Belgrade, Serbia. 

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Congratulations on being the Person of the Year for the SSF.  There is no greater champion for all things Serbian than you. You are truly deserving of this honor.  Best Wishes!!!  Started to look at your web site...very impressive.  I want to spend more time and take a better look. Love, Mary Ann T., Monroeville, PA

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Mim, what a wonderful thing you are doing with this site.  All the important topics are covered. How do we thank you for all you are doing the Serbs. Great work!  Also, "Congratulations" on being selected SNF's Person of the Year! Can't think of anyone more deserving. George B., Canada.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ WOW, I did not know you are the daughter of Milan
Karlo.  I met him several times in Detroit and he was
my parents favorite as editor of our Observer!  Yes,
he did write a lot about Chica Draza when many of our people did not.  We belong to St. Stevan Decanski in Warren, Michigan.  My late father collected every issue of the Observer back then.  Wish I had them now.My late Aunt and Uncle Cheda and Charna Manojlovich had a radio show called Serbian Melodies for 15 years and it seems everyone around the country knew them.  I bet your parents did too!  Savo Subotich, St. Clair Shores, Michigan.

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From my Japanese friend, Fumi, earning her Doctorate degree in Languages from Essex Univeristy in England, while living in Portugal! 

I am very happy every time I receive your messages, Mim! Thank you for sending me the greatest website! It was a very good surprise to see your stunningly professional website, and I have so far read about your amazingly successful career stories, which have really encouraged me to pursue mine. I  am very proud of you, Mim!! :-)

Sorry for my late reply, as I have been busy in getting used to my new life and studying to finish off my thesis at the same time.  I am now (temporarily,
though) living in Portugal near Coimbra University, Portugal. I have recently moved here, but I
am flying back to the UK every month to see my PhD supervisor. Anyway, now I really want to finish my thesis as soon as possible.  Take care and please give my best regards to your family!

Beijinhos (kisses in Portuguese)
Fumi
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What an amazing website!!!   It's a gift not just to your church but to anyone interested in Serbian history.  Your love and enthusiasm for your Serbian heritage makes the reading all the more interesting!  How wonderful that your knowledge can now be shared with people all over the world!  Good job! Congratulations, too, on your latest honor (SNF Person of the Year 2007-08).  I love the fact that while you are technically retired, your amazing resume continues to grow!  Forget the athletes, our scientists need to study you to see how to produce more Mims!  I'm really enjoying the website.  I've already got more saints to pray to, and recipes to try!  Jean F., Sewickley, PA. 

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I sent your website on to a few people and the response has been great!  Georgine Stolsolovic, Chicago, IL

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 Just looked at your Serbian History 101 with Baba Mim site.  It is absolutely grand and I commend you on the outstanding job you did with it.  I will certainly pass the link on to everyone I  know.
Paul Bielich, Detroit, MI

P.S. - Thanks for including the SSF in with the "Serbian organizations" section.

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Just wanted to compliment and commend you on your superb website!  Your research, information, and the amount of time devoted to this site are certainly appreciated!  too often, we Serbs neglect to commend our own for their talents and work.  Your labor of love is a gift to all of us.  I am glad my sister mentioned Cici Adam receiving the award at the first presentation;  he would have loved this site, also.  As a past SSF Board member, Sloboda singer/officer, I want to thank you too, for mentioning our SSF as we have been in the forefront of preservation of our music on this continent.  Zivela, Mim!  Know your efforts are NOT in vain!  Very sincerely, Ljubi Ostoich Hayden, Lansing, IL.

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Great website.  I cannot believe you remembered Dusan's deklamacija.  We are at Shadeland now.  What fun.  It is hard to believe that my child is a camper. I feel like it was only yesterday I was a camper myself.  Tracy K., Monroeville, PA 

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Just thought I'd drop a line.  My Kum Mimo Papich just emailed me about your delightful website. As for me, I'm living in Salt Lake City now.  My novel is more than 80% done and should be finished before the end of summer.  I'm at 400 pages and winding down.  As you probably guessed, it's about a Serbian mining family out west.  Keep up the good work!!  Have a good time at 3-day! I saw you were being honored. God bless you.  Puno congratulations.  You deserve it.  I just wish I could be there.  I think you'll see my Kum Mimo, also a Shadeland camper, there.  Rich Kulics, Salt Lake City, Utah.

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My daughter Zora sat on my lap (she's 4) and watched the video on the Draza Mihailovich website page with me. She asked me why I was crying when it was a nice story.  Holly Jovanovich, from the north side of Chicago.

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Congratulations on being selected SNF Woman of the Year!  You truly deserve it. Also, your website is awesome!!!  Thanks for all you do for the Serbs.
 God grant you many, many years! Sincerely,
David, Donna, & Nikola Vranesevic, McKeesport, PA

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Have fun this weekend – a well deserved honor for you.  Everyone in the South Side is proud. Stephen W., Pgh. PA 

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I have not yet taken the opportunity to say "CONGRATULATIONS!!!!" to you.  Nobody deserves this award more than you do.  Your family must be so proud of you - I know your "choir family" is.  Cheryl L., Aliquippa, PA

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Saw your website and it brought tears to my eyes. Your hard work, expertise and knowledge of Orthodoxy and Serbian heritage is outstanding.  God bless you a million times for your labor of love.  I will pass it on to all of my Serbian relatives and friends. Dad is here rambling on about the Bizic family and all the good times. Keep up all the good work and God Bless!  Sara Jane Studen, xoxooxo, Pittsburgh, PA

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Just wanted to tell you I perused your website this morning and you deserve all the highest accolades for taking the time, effort, interest and appreciation in maintaining this wonderful resource center you have put together.  I know how much work goes into what you are doing, and so many people do not take the time to even show thanks or appreciation for what some of us endeavor to perpetuate our heritage.  There is a wealth of knowledge there and enjoyment.  Bless you for your hard work. Martha K.S., Monroeville, PA

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Kuma Mim;  Your talents are obviously limitless!  I viewed your website this past weekend and am amazed with the wealth of information that the site provides.  And, I believe that it's fair to say that, knowing you, you are far from done.

With this website, you have done more to publicize the positive aspects of the Serbian people and Orthodoxy than those Serbian organizations that should be doing so (e.g. SNF, SUC, SNDC, etc.).
Congratulations again on being named this year's "Serb National Federation's Person of the Year".  It is an honor that is well deserved and long overdue. 
I have always been, and continue to be, proud to call you Kuma.    Kum Bob S., Moon Twp., PA

(Please visit the FAMOUS SERBS page, scroll down and see how Kum Bob has helped make this site better!  God bless him!  He's ONE in a million!) 

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I have been at work in the Hague for the past few weeks, since my defense team is currently presenting our case and I have fallen behind on personal email.

I have looked at your website and it's fantastic! It has so much information on it. I have passed it along to my brother, who lives in Boston, and I will also forward it to some other Serbs to get their input on it. But thank you for putting together such a great site that we can now pass along to other Serbs.

I am looking forward to meeting you and thank you for taking the time to come up to Buffalo for the wedding. I hope everyone has a wonderful time and as you said, that it's like an old-fashioned svadba.

Please email again with any questions or just to chat. I am always happy to share my experiences at the Hague.  Aleks B., the HAGUE, Netherlands

(We're ALL so proud of our Aleks!  God bless her!) 

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This is a lot of Valuable work that you are doing to keep Serbian people informed and inspired to participate in their heritage.  Nobody has the photos and logged memories of past events that you have collected, because of your " Serbian Obsession".  I say this in a kind way.  If you weren't driven to collect these historical memories, so much would be lost that is of value.  Thank you for your efforts.  It's a big job.  All of these articles and photos are of good, hard working people who make things continue to happen.  Bless all of you!  Vangie M., Pgh. PA

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Good site!  Nice meeting you and hope you enjoyed your trip to Trebinje.  Hope to see you again and to have all of you as our guests.

Vaso and Tanja

Best Regards from TVIKO-real estate & tourism

(Read more about Trebinje and Tanja's writings on the Kosovo Men's Choir page.....) 

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 I checked out babamim.com and I LOVE it!

Sladjana Milicevic, Erie, PA

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 What a great website!  It was very nice meeting you on the plane yesterday.  All the best.  Rick

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Hi Mim!  Thank you for sharing all of your information on the trip.  And bless you for this website.  I'm passing it on to all the Coso/Bajich families and my kids!  Tijana Zelich, Ohio

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9/5/08 Mim.... it seems that every time I visit your site, I see something different from my previous visit.I know that it is impossible to see everything with one visit, that is what makes it so wonderful.
 
While reading comments from your many, many admirers I saw that Aleks Bojovic left a message and it mentioned that you would be at her wedding last week.  If you were there, I am sorry I missed you.   Maybe the next time.
 
Anyway, give my regards to Rose Ann and all the best to you and your family.
 
Maybe we ought to put you on the ticket with Sarah when she runs for president. 

Stevo Baich, Lackawanna, NY

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Dear Mim:
 
I'm ashamed that I didn't write earlier to congratulate you on the great honor bestowed on you by the Serbian Federation. It is so deserving as I know your devotion to the Serbian tradtitions and customs. I envy that feeling although I share a love of my parent's homeland but no one works as hard or fights as hard to keep and preserve those ttraditions in our great country as you. We both are loyal Americans but certainly are proud of our heritage.
 
Love, Gino Piroli, Aliquippa, PA

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I checked out the website.  It’s awesome.
Rightly so, Serb everywhere should be proud of their “Mim.”
Keep up the good work.
Erv, Pittsburgh, PA

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Hallo Babamim, we met on the plane from Belgrade to Frankfurt, if you remember. I saw your web address, it is great. First time I see some nice things about our country, and not only the bad comments about us.  Thank you for that.  We've been 12 days in USA, we had a great time and it is a very beautiful country. I especially liked Miami.  So, i just wanted to say hallo. it was nice talking to you. Warm regards from Natasa (Belgrade).

(Natasha's Belgrade Choir/Bistrick Orchestra appeared at the Library of Congress and performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC)

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Sep 20, 2008

God bless you, Milana Bizic!!!
 
People like you are as hard to find, as a golden penny lost in a stack of hay.  This is a rare gem found only through our custom of story-telling and passed on from generation to generation.  That is why you were able to locate the place where St. Sava was born, and the church where he was baptized.  Yes people write, now a day, but we held on from the twelfth century, through the entire period of Turkish occupation, passing the information relevant to our people  from generation to generation,.  And it held on until someone finally recorded it in written form.
 
Our Jennifer , bless her, has forwarded your site to me this evening.  I have only had time to skim through all titles and content, but I will religiously go through everything you have here.  I have noted, and it is understandable, some minor Serbian language errors.  If you want me, I will correct them for you and send them via mail, or email.
 
I am so proud to know you, Milana.  And am sorry we missed you last time we went to Pittsburgh.  I am forwarding this to everyone I  know.
 
My very best wishes to you.  Be proud of yourself, as much, as  I know you are of our heritage.
 
In exchange I will send you something from my thesis on Milos Obilic and Tzar Lazar.
 
Respectfully yours,
 Marta Trklja, Canada

I am very proud of you Milana, and you sure deserve any reward you get.
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Hi Mim, You have a wonderful website. The trip pictures (Kosovo Men's Choir in Serbia, etc.) are great.  Look forward to seeing you tomorrow night for the concert in Kent State, Canton. Regards, Steve Turcola, Ohio

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It is just beautiful. I can imagine how much time, knowledge, energy and love you  need to have to keep it like that and to continuously add more information.  I will for sure recommend your website to others.  Deacon Dragoslav.

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May the blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ be upon you!

Dear Milana, 

I was just looking through your web work.  It is well done. 

As a side note and update to the "Tid Bits" under Montana,  The Butte web page link now has a "360 deg. Moving View" on the bottom tab on the left of the home page.   holytrinitybutte.org  A person can "Scrub" (move curser and move the view)  around the inside of the Church.

It gives a GREAT Look at our tradition of "Iconography" which is so little known in the West, But so vital for our experience of Faith, and it's ongoing continuity.

You may want to consider having a tab in your page on "ICONS".   But I will leave that up to you.  You do great work without my suggestions....

In CHRIST !

Fr. Russell Radoicich
Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church
Butte Montana

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WOW... you continue to raise the bar in everything that you do!!  How blessed our community is to have you, is all I can say.

Milana Milosh, Aliquippa, PA (+Sam and +Veda Milanovich's daughter.)

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Oct. 29, 2008

I can't tell you how thrilled I am to make your acquaintance. Your personal page on your website is quite something. You certainly have lived a fulll and meaningful life. I know your (late) father is proud and smiling down from his new home.

My, oh my. The internet is a treasure trove, if one just knows how and where to search.

 Your web site is incredible. So full and rich and alive. As a reader, I can feel the love and energy you pour into it. As one who is responsible for the upkeep of an agency website, I understand the time, effort and hard work you must devote to keep your site so current and informative.

Update 11/12/08

Mim, you are amazing-- a walking Serbian history encyclopedia. By the way, I took your advice & ordered David Martin's latest book, published in 1990. His bio bespeaks his credibility, so I'll feel confident of the veracity of what I read.

Cindy Lou Johnson, granddaughter of Lou Christopher

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What a web site!  Since I don't speak the language your site makes me sorry that I didn't attend Serbian School.

You're right about Eli Popovich being forced by our government to be the laison man for our government with Partisans. He had to do it.  Cruel fate as some Serbs thought he was a turncoat. No way.  He was with the OSS and the CIA for years.

George Musulin, Vic Lumovich and Mike Rajasich would come see me play when I was in Washington, DC. I was mute for hours as they spoke about their duties in Yugo with the Halyard movement.

"Fala!" for a great lesson in Serbianism and of course the Krajina where both of my Dedas were from.

Regards and thanks,  Eli Grba 

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Dear Mim, I'm happy to see you still active in education.

Our Petnica Center is still very highly ranked and recognized by similar Gifted organizations throughout Europe as one of among very few leading ones. 

Please, let stay in touch. I am curious about your work and I do wish to establish better links with more Serbian people in the States who are interested in Education.

I hope that political relations between Serbia and the US will be improved after Bush.  Best wishes,

Vigor Majic, Director, Petnica Science Center, Valjevo, Serbia.

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Arthur ("Jibby") Jibilian with 512 flags behind him, each one representing an American airman saved by Draza Mihailovich & his Chetniks.  Metcalf Field, Toledo, OH  6/15/2008

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Mim, what a beautiful website!  I shared it with Fr. Serge, Mimo, and my niece Jennifer in North Carolina.
What a woman! I'm proud to be your friend.  Keep up your labors of love because we all benefit from them.  Elaine M. (Galveston, TX) 

I extend sincere congrats for a most informative and well-documented website. I would be delighted to provide additional items of interest for your archives, should you so desire.  David V., (Wash., DC)

(You bet!  This is how all of our young children will learn more about their wonderful Serbian/American heritage!) 

POMAZE BOG!!!  Thank you from the bottom of my heart, the apple does not fall far from the tree.  Whenever I hear from you or see your picture and read your articles, I always think of your father and the times I was lucky enough to spend with him.     I am forwarding your site to my sons Milan, Mateja & Mihailo (twins), as well as others, so they can recall the many stories that their +Deda told them about.  They always listened in rapture.  Especially about (1st Lt. Artillery) +Deda's time with + Lt.Col. Draza, before the war.  Respectfully, Milenko,  Chicago, IL  

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This a beautiful web site, did you do  all this yourself, if so I may hire you to do a website for my new business. I also wanted my dear friend Tom (Greek Orthodox) to visit your site, of particular interest, your Father publishing American Serbian Life magazine in the forties. Tom has a friend that is the publisher for Greek Life magazine. You’re the best! Love, Denn (Pgh PA)

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 About going to Ypsilanti (see Draza page).  I  once lived there and went to school there!  Also, congratulation on being named SNF Person of the year.  We in Aliquippa are all proud of you.  Nikola, Aliquippa, PA

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I am so glad that we have people.... ever vigilant, ever proud but most importantly ever faithful. Father Serge, Galveston, TX

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 Thanks for sharing! You certainly lead a most exciting life these days. I passed this along.  Joe, Sewickley, PA

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Your new links are outstanding. Truly professional. What truly great sources of information. I just can't get over how good they are. So glad you are bringing attention to our brothers and sisters via the Internet.
Please, please keep up the good work. George

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 I love your website. That's one heck of a good job!  The airplane ride was the icing on the cake!  Marti, MD & FL

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I love your website!  Just saw it today for the first time after Sam Subotich and Arthur sent an e-mail.  Great job, and thank you for putting quaility information on the internet!
 Aleksandra, Barrington, IL

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Have forwarded this to fellow Serbs far and near! Don O., Pittsburgh, PA

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THIS is beautifully done!  You certainly are so talented and creative in all that you do!
Thank you for sharing this. I was so impressed with your
composition, content, the layout, the color, and the photos, especially of
the 4 children from Kansas City!  You certainly wrote an extensive and thorough article on Draza. Your enthusiasm and literary contributions on Serbian History is a superb
addition to Mankind!

I just finished reviewing your slides taken at Shadeland ... I loved all of them especially ending with the Powell Family ...
what a remembrance for all of us who were in attendance ... thank you again!  I know that your parents from up above have to be extremely proud of you and how you have carried the TORCH for Serbianism -- its history, its language, its orthodoxy,  its literature, its culture including art, music,etc.
 
As a companion traveler, your "eye" to capture exciting photos with meaningful, substantive scripts are awesome for me to experience ... simply said:  you continue to teach me on every trip enriching my mind, soul, and heart  .... puna hvala my friend Mim ..With love and blessings, Dr. Natalie Pavlovic, Pittsburgh, PA

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History of the Aliquippa church is absolutely excellent. I only go back, in memory, to Fr. Tomich and the church in Logstown. What a wonderful trip down memory lane. One that will be frequently repeated.  Thank you for bringing the historical past to our present day for many to enjoy.  You are uniting Serbs. As the website expands, so will the unity of fellow Serbs. You were guided to do this Mim. Keep at it. It is just wonderful what one person can do. Especially one that is SUPERB!  Your work will lead to a greater understanding of our people's courage, strength, and valuable contributions.  I get shivers up my spine when I think about our people!  May their faith propel them into the future filled with blessings from our Father in Heaven!  I continue to promote this deserving website! George Vrgich, Monroeville, PA

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This is Savo Subotich from St. Clair Shores, Michigan.  It was really nice to meet you at
Metcalf Field.  See how we Serbs always will find
another Serb at an event.  Your web site is
beautiful!!! We are ALL better off because of people
like you!

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Congratulations on a super, super website.   You have labored many hours in compiling it,  but we feel you considered it a labor of love. We can't think of anyone who would have done what you have.   Zivela Mim na mnogaja Ljeta. George and Mickey M., Weirton, WV

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We can't begin to tell you how much we loved your website.  It is a tremendous job well done and very interesting.  How proud we are of you and your hard work. Thank you for keeping that wonderful Serb spirit alive and sharing our Serbian pride with the world.

Milan and Rosalyn Opacich
Schererville, IN 46375  

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Love your new website.... How far we have come from our early Internet days.  Bob F., Sewickley, PA

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 From Dorothy Paunvovich, Schererville, IN

(Please be sure to visit this site not to read about me, but to see the wonderful things that are being done in Indiana with the Folk Dancers, Serb Fest coming up, Recipes and ways to make Strudel, etc! Grateful, MKB)

Wow! I love you website and have posted it on my blog. I wish we lived closer so we could share ideas for the museum and other projects. My son loves APPLE computers too and has converted so many friends. Here's the link:  http://www.localbizblogs.com/stsav

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"BabaMim" has done an outstanding job on those pages about Jake Allex. And yes, we are very lucky to be Serbian! Sending info about George Fisher and Texas. Mimo M., Galveston. 

(See Famous Serbs page)

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Great site!  It's really a very informative website. I bookmarked it.  I am originally from St. Sava's of Gary/Hobart/Merrillville, but have lived 9 years in Phoenix with my husband, Jovan and 2 children.  I was checking Dorothy Paunovich's local bizblogs at my old St. Sava Merrillville site and came upon your website.  I love that Draza stuff.  My faher-in-law was a Chetnik, +Nikola , and I used to dance in the only Chetnik folkore group in the USA, Dinara.  Denise Kangrga, Phoenix, Arizona

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I remembered the web address and the site is fantastic!  You did an outstanding job! Rudlley Mrvos, Pittsburgh, PA 

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Just to add to your info on the National Heritage awards given in Washington, DC annually, my uncle Adam N. Popovich was in the first group of "National Ethnic Treasures in the early 70's.  He was also honored by the State of Illinois that same year for his contributions to the ethnic heritage of our state. Thought you would like to know.  Excellent site.  Your website is absolutely beautiful. The pictures and history are a fitting tribute to the wonderful colony of Aliquippa. It is always such a pleasure to visit. The SSF Festival this past Memorial Day was  excellent and it was so heartwarming to see the entire community come together to help the choir..The food....well, let's just say that the girls from Detroit and Lansing loved it!  Continued success with the site!  Aliquippa is fortunate to have an in-house historian that also possesses great techo-skills!!
Martha Ostoich Tesich, IL

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You are wonderful! Thank you for all you have done and what you continue to do for our people. You have definitely inherited your father's flair for writing.  I have always said when I leave this Earth, I want you to write the article for the SRBOBRAN.   Morbid? I think not,  just telling the truth! Anyway, thanks again for everything you do.  My grandfather was a priest in Aliquippa once, but died in 1937 there.  He was also in Lackawanna, Farrell,  and Kansas City that I know of.  Again, thank you for all those years of great articles and for your website.   Stevo and Lana Baich

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This is a great website.  You put a lot of work into it.  I'll pass it along.  See you at the wedding.  JT, London, England.

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Holly, thanks for sharing this...and Milana and Jennifer (Boresz of WTOL), you don't know me, but I want to say thanks for getting this story (see Draza Mihailovich page!) out there. It made my day. I actually cried (joyful tears) listening to the video and seeing the global TV photos on the web site. Honor is the key word here. We Serbs have our honor, our fighting men have been honored, and we honor the Halyard men who never gave up the fight.

Patty Martinovich
Vancouver, BC, Canada (formerly of Chicago!)

++++++++++++++++++ Our congratulations!  You have contributed to the Serbian movement in so many ways.  All Serbs are deeply indebted to you for your unwavering passion and commitment to all that is Serbian.  May God send special Blessings to you on this historic occasion! All the best,
Roy C.

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I'll see you at Kennywood and give you a great congratu - latory HUG!!Love, Cissy R., NJ

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I would like to tell you that your web site is very good, no, it is excellent and that we are proud of you, especially Teta Nena! I stopped writing for a moment and went to your web site to see it again. I was fascinated  that you found that old SRBOBRAN issue with St. Sava's Hymn in Serbian Cyrillic!  Stojanka, Belgrade.

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 Your special day gave me the perfect reason to commend you on the outstanding website.  If each Serbian American would learn 50% of the information contained on it, one would be so aware of our heritage.  I loved the version of "Kol Slaven." You were savvy with computers long before it was commonplace.  Ziveli i mogaja ljeta!  George & Deb S. P., Pittsburgh, PA

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I visited your D. Mihailovich & Operation Halyard page and saw the two cover pages of your father's magazine, Am. Serb Life.  Our church has a copy of that magazine with Bishop Nikolai on the cover that we used for our 100th Anniversary ad booklet.  Bishop Nikolai consecrated our new church on that day (1948). Our copy of the magazine is in bad shape, but we we used the article your father wrote about our church for our book. Our church in Steubenville is really named Visoki Decani and looks like the one in Kosovo (one part of it), however, we go by the name of Holy Resurrection. It's sad to read about what's happening to our churches and monasteries in Kosovo. Also enjoyed those diary entries written by Nick Lalich. I had to make copies and send to my sister, Ann.  She took history in college and is so completely involved in Serbia's part, especially in the war that started in 1991.  Everytime I talk to her, I get a history lesson, even going back to the Congress of Berlin.  She connects past history to the present. We also want to congratulate you for being Person of the Year. We feel you deserve this honor and hope that "God grants you many, many more years!" Your articles in the SRBOBRAN are really informative and well-written. 

Mary & Nick Drazich, Steubenville, OH

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Mim,
I just wanted to tell you that your website is wonderful and loaded with very interesting information.  Thank you for taking the time to create such a site.  Hope to see you next weekend in Aliquippa!
 
Valerie Backo
Owner & Marketing Solutions Consultant. Hermitage, PA
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9/9/08  Thanks, Mim! It (MORE @ DRAZA) looks wonderful! I've been soliciting our membership for Chetnik photos, and as I receive any that might be worth sharing, I will forward them to you. I will do another blog directing people to your great website either tonight or tomorrow, as well as feature your site in the "Featured Blog Posts" section on the right. Your site is remarkable, and I learn something every time I visit. We have a meeting for our cultural committee tonight, so I'll have to get busy preparing..........Thanks again.......My son thinks you're so cool because he is an absolute die-hard Mac fan-there are no other computers allowed in our house, his apartment (Oakland), or with any of his circle of friends. He has probably helped sell 30 Macs in the last 8 years. Localbizblogs.com is being developed on Macs in San Francisco/Oakland by my son and his 2 friends. Once you get a Mac, you never go back! Fondly,...............Dorothy 

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 Hi Baba Mim! Thank you for sharing your website address with me at the Aliquippa Choir banquet last weekend.(9/13/08) I started reading it and have to say that it's great to have all of this information in one place. I've learned a lot already, and I look forward to reading more. I also would like to thank you for a wonderful weekend. I had a great time - you were all such wonderful hosts.

Mirjana (Mira) Milinkovic, Branko Radicevich Choir, Chicago, IL

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Mimi,
The website is incredible. I enjoy looking at it. I am sending it on to my
mother-in-law.....I'm sorry for not having done this before.

Take care.
Jennifer  Pittsburgh, PA

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Dear Baba Mim,
Good to see you another day in Aliquippa! Here is where you can find a book on Rudjer Boskovic.
Rade, President Helios Publishing

http://helios-scholar.com/page4.html

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I will never forget our (Kosovo Men's Choir to Serbia) trip and YOU!  If every Serb had 1/8 of Serbian Heritage and Orthodoxy in them as YOU have, what a place it would be!  I visit your site when I can, with working three days a week, taking care of Dad and our precious Grandson Anthony, my time is divided.  Have  a wonderful day!

Much love,
Mary Ann Rusnov, Ohio

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Very impressive website!  See you at the Midland Choir Concert.  Starts 4:00 PM at the Club on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008. Dinner and Dance follow.

Paula Esapovich, Midland, PA

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Hello, I have checked out your web site on several occasions as it truly gives historic perspective and has the warmth not contained in the books. Congratulations on your accomplishment. Take care. Your web site is wonderful. It's fantastic. The Butte part on the "Interesting Tidbits" page is especially good.

Sam, CA

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Your website is very interesting and inspirative. You can also find a lot of material on my website and you have my permission to use material you find interesting.  www.antikvame-knige.com

Pozdrav!  Filip Tomasevic, Belgrade.

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Dear Mim,
I enjoyed my tour around your website – you are quite the accomplished woman!  I am looking forward to meeting you and planning how we can work together. Alexis S. Macklin, Director of the Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center, Pittsburgh, PA

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I just stumbled upon your site researching info for our annual Phoenix SerbFest commemorative book. What a wonderful site! Could I use some of your info? Thanks, Mary Ivanovic Goulian, Arizona. ++++++++++++++++++

First let me say what a fabulous job you have done in conveying what it means to be an American Serb!  Bravo!  I have added a link to
your website on SerbBlog! 

Here's another name for your list, another Serb-American who just came to mind -- Donald Bellisario Sr., who produced Magnum PI, JAG and now NCIS.  His mother was Serbian and his father was Italian.  I read about Bellasario in an article on Sasha Alexander when she was on NCIS, saying that they were "both half-Serb and half-Italian". And one more:

Denise Hale, born in Belgrade and has been a paragon of San Francisco and international society for over 40 years.  Denise Hale has played a prominent role as a great supporter of cultural and charitable organizations, both in San Francisco and around the world. (She donated an Ambulance to Princess Katerina's Lifeline Fund that has her grandparents' names on the sides as it travels to help those in need throughout Belgrade.)

 (see SF Examiner article above.)

Formerly married to film director Vincent Minnelli, she later married  Department Store scion Prentis Cobb Hale. Twenty years later, in the early 1990's,  bothered by the fact that she and Mr. Hale had only had time for a civil ceremony, she and Prentis Cobb Hale reaffirmed their vows in a lavish wedding in St. John's Serbian Orthodox Church in San Francisco, complete with a tamburitza band and attended by international high society. They remained married until Mr. Cobb's death a decade ago, and Denise Hale has continued her role as a prominent member of San Francisco's genteel social set. All the best!

Melana Pejakovich, CA

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