Former Kosovo Liberation Army soldier Agron Kajtazi from Drenica was 16 years old when he made the decision to join the liberation war in defense against invading Serbia.
Former Kosovo Liberation Army soldier Agron Kajtazi from Drenica was 16 years old when he made the decision to join the liberation war in defense against invading Serbia.
He started the war with a hunting rifle, the day the legendary Prekaz was surrounded on March 5, 1998. 27 years later, he comes to Prekaz together with other comrades in the war to honor the sacrifice of the Jashari family and the legendary commander Adem Jashari.
He recalls for KosovaPress February 17, 2007, when Kosovo was declared an independent state.
Kajtazi: I wish we could celebrate that day for thousands of years
"I will never forget that day, I was busy waiting at that time for the prime minister who declared independence and we were waiting for him to come to Skenderaj, it was a cold day in terms of weather but so hot in terms of love for the country and the day and date that it truly left an impression forever and I wish that for thousands of years we will celebrate that day, that date and continuously celebrate February 17 with full love and respect and memory for all those who fell on this day", he tells KosovaPress.
As one of the young KLA soldiers, he tells how he decided to join the liberation war.
Kajtazi: I was one of the youngest soldiers in the 112th brigade
"During the war, I was one of the youngest soldiers in the 112th brigade, I was actually 16 years old when I picked up the rifle. But in reality, I was not the one who got that courage or that bravery, but a dough cooked over time by my family, by society, by the place where I live, they made me come out of myself, just like many other young people, who did not feel fear. Perhaps we are more afraid today of those days than we were then when we were afraid. In reality, we saw it as a way, necessary and sublime with a great pride that today even the mountain birds that live in nature feel like a burden on our shoulders, today they sing of our social value, of the value of the liberation war. It was not easy, but it was the right day and decision for the time when our country needed it," he says.
Amidst the emotions, the former Kosovo Liberation Army soldier says that February 17th is one of the most important dates for the country.
Kajtazi: We do not feel complete without the presence of the KLA leaders
"It is one of the most important dates of our country, of our Kosovo, because it sublimates all that centuries-old sacrifice, of our people, of the martyrs, of the martyrs. On a truly heavy and long sacrifice across generations, therefore today is a great celebration for our country, today is a day that we must honor those who made this celebration, this joy possible. We do not feel quite complete without the presence of the KLA leaders who are unjustly held in The Hague and are missing from this date today," he declares.
On the 17th anniversary of Kosovo's Independence, hundreds of citizens paid homage to the Jashari family at the "Adem Jashari" memorial complex. /Sh.Pajaziti/kosovapress (A2 Televizion)
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MUND TE LEXONI GJITHASHTU
