President Milanović Attends Swearing-in Ceremony of Soldiers Undergoing Voluntary Training in Požega
The President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Zoran Milanović attended a swearing-in ceremony of the 31st generation of soldiers enrolled in voluntary military training. At a ceremony held at the “123rd HV Brigade” Barracks in Požega, 191 soldiers took the oath.
In his address, President Milanović congratulated the soldiers on taking the oath and expressed satisfaction with the fact that the army is being staffed by people who willingly became its members.
“It’s not a small decision, it’s a big decision and it’s a harder path. A lot in life is a matter of choice, but not everything. The Croatian path – the path of our state, our identity, our creation, emergence, rise, stumble, and ascent – was a harder path compared to almost all the nations that today comprise Europe. That is a fact. Our path was mostly clean, correct and proud,” said President Milanović. He added that because our path was more difficult, we must not get discouraged but become emboldened and strong, with faith in today and knowing that tomorrow will be better.
“You have sworn on the Croatian Constitution, it is the foundation of the social agreement of the people living in Croatia. The oath emphasizes two values that you will inherit – freedom and equality. Without freedom, there is no man and everything starts with freedoms and rights. But on the other hand, there is also the community to which you owe because it provided you with a framework, gave you encouragement and the opportunity to create and advance yourselves, to be better people. Equality is just as important and it is no coincidence that it was included in the first declarations of human rights, in what is in many ways the foundation of the modern world in which we live and of Europe to which we belong. However, there is also hierarchy and responsibility, especially in the military. Every modern society, democratic and healthy society, is based on the principles of equality. Equality and freedom – you will spread them around the world wherever you go. Be faithful to your homeland, be healthy, fight for yourself and for Croatia,” President Milanović told the soldiers.
The following individuals attended the swearing-in ceremony of the 31st generation of soldiers alongside the President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces: Minister of Defense Mario Banožić, Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces Admiral Robert Hranj, Adviser to the President of the Republic for Defense and National Security Dragan Lozančić, Special Adviser to the President for Homeland War Veterans Marijan Mareković.
PHOTO : Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Marko Beljan