A former Serbian National Defense official is urging Chicago’s Serbian-American community to protect the organization’s historic headquarters after a recent fire. He warns that the damaged building could face an uncertain future.
Hadži-Miloš Marinković, a former vice president of the Serbian National Defense (SNO), issued an open letter published by Serbian Times on November 3.
His appeal follows a fire that damaged the organization’s headquarters in Chicago on October 30. No injuries were reported, and authorities are still investigating the cause.
Former Official Raises Concerns About Building’s Future
Marinković expressed concern that the fire could renew discussions about selling the Serbian National Defense property.
In his letter, he claimed that some members of the organization’s current leadership had previously supported selling the building and relocating its activities.
He specifically named current president Predrag Bursać among those he believes have favored such a move.
However, Marinković did not present evidence that a sale had been approved or was underway.
He also stressed that he was not suggesting anyone had deliberately started the fire.
Instead, he warned that the damage could create an opportunity for decisions that would permanently change the organization’s future.
Marinković compared the situation with the former Serbian House in Chicago, whose sale he described as a loss for the community.
He also raised concerns about the building’s maintenance and criticized decisions made by previous organizational leaders.
These statements reflect Marinković’s position and have not been independently established.
Serbian-American Heritage at the Center of the Appeal
The Serbian National Defense is one of the oldest Serbian organizations in the United States.
Its Chicago headquarters has served as a place connected to Serbian-American cultural and community activities.
For Marinković, preserving the building is about more than repairing fire damage.
He believes the property represents an important part of the community’s history and should remain available to future generations.
His letter also referred to disagreements within the organization over political positions and internal leadership decisions.
However, the immediate concern remains the condition of the headquarters following the fire.
Chicago fire officials previously confirmed that nobody was injured. Investigators have not announced a final cause.
Meanwhile, no confirmed decision to sell the property has been reported.
Marinković maintains that the damage, although substantial, can be repaired.
His appeal calls attention to the future of a historic Serbian-American institution and the importance of preserving its place in Chicago’s community life.
