Vucic Awards State Medal to Ohio National Guard Commander

U.S. Major General John. C. Harris, Aleksandar Vucic (BETAPHOTO/MILAN OBRADOVIC)

On Sept. 8, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic presented U.S. Major General John. C. Harris, the commander of the Ohio Army National Guard, with the Order of the Serbian Flag second class. The decoration was bestowed upon Harris for his contribution to strengthening Serbian-U.S. cooperation, friendly relations and overall bilateral ties, and, in particular for solidifying the partnership between the two countries’ armed forces, Vucic said.

The Serbian president recalled that the 15th anniversary of successful collaboration between the Army of Serbia and the Ohio National Guard was marked last year, adding that said cooperation entailed many joint endeavors such as strengthening the capacities of the Jug base near Bujanovac as well as projects related to military medicine, peacekeeping operations, religious service and providing aid to local administrations in states of emergency.

Vucic highlighted the Ohio National Guard’s assistance in renovating numerous schools and daycare centers in Serbia, adding that the Guard “played a great and important role” in renewing the friendship Serbia and the U.S. built during the First and Second World Wars.

Following the award ceremony, Major General Harris said that it was an honor to receive the decoration from a man “who tirelessly works to make this world a better place for everyone.” “In my country, we say that trust is built in drops and lost in buckets. I want to continue building trust, drop by drop. The Ohio National Guard is dedicated to further building trust for our peoples, our armies, our children, and our children’s children,” Harris said.