Nick Bratkovich: Music

In World War I no other country lost a bigger percentage of her population to the war effort than Serbia. In honor of America’s ally, President Woodrow Wilson flew the Serbian flag over the White House for a certain period of time.

During World War II the Serbian Četniks under General Draža Mihaijlović saved the lives of over 500 US airmen shot down over Nazi occupied territory. It would have been certain death for these airmen had they fallen into enemy hands, but a large number of Serbs who took part in this rescue mission gave their lives so that the Americans could be saved. In recognition of their heroic and unselfish acts, President Harry Truman awarded the Legion of Merit to General Mihaijlović and his Četniks on March 29, 1948.

This album is dedicated to all the men and women of Serbia, who fought alongside the United States for the allied cause during both world wars. Especially to my great grandfather Vukašin who fought with the Serbian army during WW I, and my grandfather Jovan and my father Dan who fought with the Serbs during WW II. Through their pain and sacrifice, and by the grace of God, our family has been granted the privilege of a peaceful and prosperous life here in the United States of America.

With the exception of Marš Na Drini (March on the Drina River), a march from the World War I era, this album consists of the most popular Serbian national songs from World War II. Ravna Gora was a strategically important mountain located in Western Serbia where General Mihaijlović’s headquarters was located, hence the name for the album.