DELIVERY OF HELP VALUE MORE THEN $18,000 FOR “IVO ANDRIC” SCHOOL AND HALYARD OPERATION MEMORIAL SERVICE

Pranjani, Gornji Milanovac, 28 May 2018 – Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine together with Lifeline Chicago Humanitarian Organization members officially delivered the reconstructed kitchen and dining room to the primary school "Ivo Andric" from Pranjani. Their Royal Highnesses also attended a holy liturgy at the Church of the Lord of the Ascension and laid the wreaths on the monument at Galovica Field Memorial to the people who helped in the realization of the Halyard Mission.

The donation for the school, value more than 18,000 dollars was achieved thanks to Lifeline Chicago Humanitarian Organization whose patron is HRH Crown Princess Katherine, and Pittsburgh Tri State Area. 

“I am very glad that we are here today with you in Pranjani. It is our special honor that we have our friends and donators from Lifeline Chicago here with us today. I'm happy to see that all the work has been done and that now you have a new school kitchen and the dining room, and all that thank to the Lifeline Chicago donation. I founded Lifeline with few friends 25 years ago in Chicago. For all these years many projects have been successfully done, we built new schools, kindergartens, we helped hospitals and homes for children without parental care. I am also glad that our people in the diaspora respect the tradition. Thank to Halyard Mission and saving the American pilots in the Second World War, we are returning back to Pranjani where everything started. Lifeline and its donors want to help this lovely people from this part of Serbia, whose kindness is remembered from the time of the Second World War. I am glad also that there are many people in diaspora who have a big heart, who want to help our country and who never forget their homeland. My husband HRH Crown Prince Alexander and I will continue to help as much as we can”, said HRH Crown Princess Katherine.

The official delivery was also attended by Mr. Zoran Pantovic, director of the primary school "Ivo Andric" from Pranjani, Mrs. Jadranka Dostanic, deputy of the Mayor of the Municipality Gornji Milanovac, Lt. Col. John Cappello, President of the Halyard Mission Foundation, Serbian Chetnik Freedom Fighter Nick (Beli) Mihajlovich and Lifeline Chicago representatives – Dr. Milena Tatic Bajich, the President, Mrs. Sonja Ogrizovich, the Secretary and Mrs. Melanie Sever, the Treasurer of Lifeline Chicago.

The Halyard Operation that took place in 1944 was the largest rescue operation of downed American and Allied airmen in history.  More than 500 U.S. airmen were rescued, cared for, and protected by the people of Pranjani and Gornji Milanovac area. The historic markers, written in Serbian and English, give through pictures a brief insight into this incredible chapter in the history of World War II.