CAPELLO: WE ARE COOPERATING WITH 20 MUSEUMS IN THE U.S. TO TELL STORY OF SERBS

BOLJANIĆ, SEPTEMBER 21 /SRNA/ - John Capello, president of the Halyard Foundation, said today in Boljanić near Doboj that they are working with 20 museums across 15 U.S. states to tell the story of the Halyard operation and the Serbs.

“This is a way to ensure that this story is learned, especially in the U.S., as well as among Serbs, and that people in America become familiar with the role of Republika Srpska,” Capello said at the commemoration of the 81st anniversary of the Halyard operation and the rescue of Allied pilots carried out by members of the Yugoslav Army in the Homeland. Capello pointed out that the Halyard operation is an exceptional example of military planning and demonstrates what can be accomplished when partners and allied forces work together, a perfect mission without a single mistake, exceeding expectations, in which all stranded pilots were rescued with no losses. “Today we are here to honor the rescue of the Allied pilots and to acknowledge the very important role played by General Draža Mihailović, who was the commander of the Chetnik forces. This is their story, and we are dedicated to sharing it continuously. It is the story of a successful military mission,” Capello said. He recalled that the rescued pilots spent years trying to find the Serbs who had assisted in their rescue, and that today, in Boljanić, descendants of those pilots are present. Today, Boljanić near Doboj commemorates the 81st anniversary of the Halyard operation and the rescue of Allied pilots carried out by members of the Yugoslav Army in the Homeland. A total of 500 Allied pilots were rescued in the Halyard operation, and 60 American aviators were evacuated from the improvised airfield in Boljanić.