American Serb History 101

Visit the U.S. Embassy in Serbia site below to learn so much more about this great event!

https://rs.usembassy.gov/our-relationship/day-when-the-serbian-and-u-s-flags-flew-together-over-the-white-house/

 Serbian Culture and Heritage

The Day the Serbian Flag Flew Over the White House July 28-1918-2018

Wednesday-July 25th

12:00 P.M.- Opening Prayer for the House of representatives by His Grace Bishop Irinej of Eastern America at the U. S. Capitol Building.

Click the link below to hear the Bishop's speech:

http://www.spc.rs/eng/bishop_irinej_delivers_opening_prayer_us_house_representatives

3:30-5:30 - Reception at the U.S. Capitol-House Visitor Center 201 co-hosted by the Serbian American  Congressional Caucus, the Embassy of Serbia and the WWI Centennial Commission.

Thursday-July 26th

 1:00-5 :00- Academic Symposium at the National Press Club sponsored by the Serbian National Defense Council of America.  The Speakers were: His Grace Bishop Irinej of Eastern America and Ambassador Djerdj Matkovic.

Professor Dr. Krinka Vidakovic-Petrov was the Keynote Speaker. She was followed with a Panel Discussion led by Dr. Branko Mikasinovic as Moderator, Prof. Dr. Gordon Bardos, Prof. Dr. Julian Schuster, Hon. Branko Terzic and Rev. Dr. Vasilije Vranic.

Friday-July 27th

5:30-Reception  at the Carnegie Institution for Science, sponsored by the Republic of Srpska Office for Cooperation, Trade and Investment.

On the occasion of the hundredth anniversary of the Proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson, the Republic of Srpska Representative Office in America, together with the Committee for the Marking of the 100th anniversary, organized a reception for friendship in honor of this anniversary and the President of the Government of the Republic of Srpska, Zeljka Cvijanovic, at the Washington Institute for Science in Washington.

Former Congressman Bob McEwan recalled in his address the words of US President Woodrow Wilson, after the end of World War I, and stressed that Memory for one's nation is most important.

(Just click on the lower right hand corner of the photos to enlarge them.)

Mim Bizic holds her Teti Ljubica Bjelic's flag at the National Institute of Science after the speeches.

7:00 PM - Concert & Cultural Program at the Carnegie Instituion for Science sponsored by the Serb National Federation.  Performances by the String Quartet of the School for Musican Talents from Cuprija, Serbia, and the Serbian Singing Society "Lira" of St. Luke Serbian Orthodox Church of Washington, DC.

These 4 beautiful and talented musicians hail from Čuprija, Serbia.  They also entertained at the Gala Banquet Hall in the National Press Club.

His Grace Bishop Irinej thanks the St. Luke Lira Choir for their fine performance at the National Institute of Science.  They also performed at the National Press Club for the Gala Banquet.

What a marvelous job this famous Serbian actor and Director did reciting great passages from heart!

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Now, here's the BEST part of the whole evening, and I have to thank Rarko Dadovanovic for this!

Please take time to see and hear this! His Grace, our Bishop Irinej, tells WHY we celebrated this occasion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up3rnoh2Fn4&feature=youtu.be

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Saturday - July 28th

10:00 A.M. - Pan-Orthodox Hierachical Divine Liturgy with a Memorial Service at St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral National War Memorial Shrine in Washington, DC, followed by a luncheon sponsored by St. Luke's Serbian Orthodox Church.

A most inspiring service with almost 30 clergy, followed by a Luncheon hosted by St. Luke's.

Beautiful ladies from St. Luke's!  Prijatno!

7:00 P.M. - Gala Banquet at the National Press Club on the occasion of the Centennial.

These "Soldiers" sure looked impressive in front of the large WWI poster that featured President Woodrow Wilson and Prince Regent Aleksandar Karadjordjevich!

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How we all loved these three!

Branko Terzic served as Master of Ceremonies for the Gala Banquet.  He is shown here wearing his double headed White Eagle medal, the highest honor Serbia can bestow on someone.

An evening of first class entertainment!

 These two Visnick beauties are the pride of their mother and father (Joyce and Milan Visnick), but also all of us! 

The line up of talent shown here was superb! Click on the lower right hand corner to enlarge the photo!

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See you in church on Sunday!

 10:00 A.M. Hierachical Divine Liturgy at St. Luke Serbian Orthodox Church in Potomac, MD

Greeting His Grace, Bishop Irinej are the young girls from St. Luke's Parish in Washington, DC.

Grand niece, Amelia Bizic and her aunt Mim Bizic at St. Luke's Family Picnic, a beautiful ending to a great celebratory event.

12:00 P.M.-Family Picnic, hosted by the St. Luke Serbian Orthodox Church in Potomac, MD.

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Tamo Daleko 1918-2018

The visual-literary exhibit "Тамо далеко: 1918-2018"/ "Over There, So Far Away: 1918-2018,” celebrating the Centennial of the victory of Serbia in WWI, was on display during the academic symposium on Thursday, July 26, and at the Gala Banquet on Saturday evening, July 28, 2018.

Created by Mr. Marinko Lugonja and Mr. Marko Kentera, this exhibit was presented by the Office of Religious Education of the Serbian Orthodox Church Eastern Diocese in cooperation with the nonprofit organization Art Exchange.

Click on the link below to the Serbian Eastern Diocese to read more about the glorious posters and their purpose.

https://easterndiocese.org/news_180622_2.html

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Mihaila Tuba was the Main Greeter at the National Press Club on Thursday, July 26, for the Academic Symposium.

Joint Statement of the

SERBIAN NATIONAL DEFENSE COUNCIL OF AMERICA AND THE SERB NATIONAL FEDERATION

June 29, 2018 – Pittsburgh/Chicago

"The Presidents of the two oldest Serbian organizations in the United States, the Serbian National Defense Council of America and the Serb National Federation, issued today the following joint statement:

"Next month we will join Serbian-Americans from across the country in Washington, DC, under the Patronage of His Grace Bishop Irinej and the World War I Centennial Commission of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of President Woodrow Wilson’s declaration of a Day of Prayer for Serbia and the historic flying of the Serbian flag at the White House.

"This important milestone, which will be marked by a series of events, is an opportunity to reflect on the historic alliance and friendship between the United States and Serbia that saw us stand in defense of our shared values in both World Wars—from the Salonika Front to Operation Halyard. It will also be an opportunity to recall a time when our community helped shape, through its unique contributions and active involvement, policies and decisions that reflected those values. 

"In a time when so many of our people continue to face oppression and persecution, when so many still remain driven from their homes, when our churches and monasteries and cultural heritage remain under threat—it is once again important for the voices of Serbian-Americans to be heard in our Nation’s capital.

"We encourage you to be a part of this historic commemoration and look forward to seeing you in Washington, DC."

Nebojsa Zivkovic, President Serbian National Defense Council of America 

Nebojsa Zivkovic works hard!

and 

John Martich, President Serbian National Federation

 How to make a person feel like a million!  These guys fit the bill to the hilt! They added such an air of "authenticity" to the evening!



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Lloyd Theodore Poe is an American politician who has represented Texas's 2nd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives since 2005.

Co-chairing the Serbian Council in the US Congress, Congressman Ted Po of Texas handed the letter of Prime Minister of Serbia Ani Brnabic on Wednesday 25 July, 2018.

In a letter, Honorable Mr. Po requests to publish a document related to the trial and execution of the leader of the JVoO and the Chetnik Movement Dragoljub Draza Mihailovic.

We bring the text as a whole:

General Mihailovic played a key role in the rescue of hundreds of foreign pilots during World War II, including US missions. He and the people he commanded showed extraordinary courage in defending our pilots during the Halyard mission, so I believe that it would be honorable and memorable to make the public circumstances of his death honorable.

Americans will never forget the courage and companionship of the Serbs, especially Draza Mihailovic, shown during the Second World War. I hope that together we will be able to educate future generations of Americans and Serbs about our long historical friendship in order to survive in the years to come.

I want to thank you sincerely for your visit to Washington. In the spirit of friendship between the United States and the Republic of Serbia, I am pleased to present you with the request to disclose material related to the trial and murder of Draža Mihailović.

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 We were all so proud of the many roles John Buffalini played throught the five days in Washington, DC.

After a picnic lunch enjoyed by all at St. Luke's, we heard all about the plight and horrible, frightening conditions of the Serbian people living in Kosovo from this Representative.

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Most of the photos you see here were taken by me, Mim Bizic, but there are also some beautiful ones taken by Alex Kesic and others.

Thank you all!