HE WAS THE FRIEND YOU COULD WANT: Reporters from “Novosti” in the village of Donje Borinje, at the home of the late pilot Vasiljevic

The “Novosti” team was in their hometown, before knowing the fate of the driver and co-driver. Parents and several friends and family were already crying, worried, sad. However, no one wanted to believe the worst yet. The pilot was rumored to have allegedly catapulted himself into the Čolakovići settlement in Brasina. Everything was unverified, unofficially, which made the worry even greater and opened the way to dark forebodings, but they still nurtured a shred of hope for some time.

– Half an hour before the flight, Zvonko called me and told me to go out to the terrace, which would fly over our houses – his mother Mara told “Novosti”. – I was expecting it. He is our pride and joy in every way, both as a boy and as a man and as a pilot.

Father Dragan says he knows his son in his soul, but also his thoughts on flights and adds:

– Who knows how many times he told me that he would never, at all costs, leave anyone on a plane, and that he would catapult himself. He would never do that, he emphasized. I’m sure he didn’t do that even now, because he has strong morals, professionalism, and philanthropy.

In his hometown, as well as in nearby Loznica, Vasiljevic was considered a fan of socializing, especially sports. He played soccer recreationally and will be remembered as a Partizan fan. “Gravediggers” paid his last respects yesterday on social networks.

Zvonko’s uncle, Vidoje, was also a pilot, a lieutenant colonel in JNA aviation. The young Vasiljevic thus continued the military and pilot tradition of this honorable house in Donja Borina. Unfortunately, Vidoje also tragically died some twenty years ago, but not in the summer.