President of the Republic Attends Ceremony Marking 26th Anniversary of Honorary and Protection Battalion
The President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Zoran Milanović attended a ceremony marking the 26th anniversary of the Honorary and Protection Battalion and Military Chaplaincy Day “Saint Valentine” at the 1st Croatian Guards Corps Barracks.
In his address to members of the Honorary and Protection Battalion, President Milanović emphasized that they were chosen according to clear and measurable criteria. “The others are good, but based on all the criteria, which are clear, transparent and known to everyone, you are better and remain elite,” said the President of the Republic.
“In your case, elitism is not gained by birth or origin but through work and learning and that is what I was referring to in my inauguration speech; that I will advocate, stimulate and promote professionalism and patriotism,” said the President, also joking at his own expense that “patriotism is not when you jump off the ‘Patria’ [armoured vehicle] onto concrete.”
President Milanović said he was pleased that the Battalion is equipped with helmets and rifles made in Croatia. “I would like us to build airplanes. We will be building ships and I will advocate that, so that we are as visible as possible. Here, we will conduct our own policies and those of NATO and our allies, but our policies too,” said the Commander in Chief.
“I don’t know any case in recent history in which so many people owed so much to such a small number of people, Croatia’s defenders in 1991 who came from a relatively poor, disarmed and pillaged country. We are referring to a few thousand people who held Croatia together during those times. Everlasting gratitude and glory to them, particularly those who were killed or wounded. To their families, we are eternally indebted,” underscored the Croatian President.
Members of the Guard Battalion from the Republic of Austria, who took part in the event, performed a ceremonial drill alongside the Honorary and Protection Battalion. The ceremony featured a symbolic awarding of berets and members of the Honorary and Protection Battalion were decorated, promoted and given incentives.