President Milanović Congratulates Croatian Army Day and Expresses Gratitude to All Those who Fought for Croatia
The President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Zoran Milanović congratulated Croatian Army Day and the 34th anniversary of the formation of the Croatian Army to all the members of the Croatian Armed Forces. At a formal reception held on this occasion in the Office of the President of the Republic, President Milanović congratulated all the awarded, decorated and promoted members of the Croatian Armed Forces, and expressed gratitude to the Croatian defenders for all they have done for Croatia.
“To all those who fought for Croatia, exposed themselves, and risked everything they had, I once again express my deep gratitude,” said the President of the Republic, highlighting in particular the role of the Croatian police, particularly members of the Ministry of the Interior. “The Croatian police are the fabric from which the Croatian Army was created, today a strong and resilient body, different from 30 years ago, stronger and better armed than it was then,” the President stated, recalling that the Croatian police were formed within the institutions of the civilian Croatian government, democratically elected in the 1990 elections, and were presented at the ceremonial formation of the first generation of the Croatian Guard on 5 August 1990.
“This was the first generation of true Croatian police officers. This was followed by the ceremonial formation of the Croatian National Guard (ZNG) on Kranjčevićeva Street on 28 May 1991, which was not yet formally the Croatian Army but the Croatian National Guard, and it was the Croatian police that gave it momentum. This should be emphasized every time because it is the crucial fabric from which the Croatian Army emerged.
Based on his Constitutional and legal powers, on the occasion of Croatian Army Day and the 34th anniversary of the formation of the Croatian Army, the President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Zoran Milanović issued Decisions on Decorations, Promotions and Commendations, and presented two decorations.
For extraordinary contribution to the development and standing of the Republic of Croatia and the well-being of its citizens, the Order of the Croatian Interlace is bestowed on Lieutenant Colonel Đuro Stanić, and the Homeland War Memorial Medal, for honourable and exemplary service, is bestowed on Lieutenant Colonel Ružica Brkljača.
The President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces promoted a total of 119 active duty officers, four military specialist officers, and one active duty officer received an extraordinary promotion.
Commodore Damir Dojkić is regularly promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral. Lieutenant Colonel Ivica Pocrnić is promoted to the rank of Colonel Legal.
Nine Lieutenant Colonels are regularly promoted to the rank of Colonel/Captain (N) (including two female Lieutenant Colonels to the rank of Colonel). Promoted are: Lenka Perić, Vlado Pavlinec, Neven Pejković, Marinko Rubić, Joško Tadić, Krešimir Kršinić, Tomislav Kravaica, Nada Periš, Jurica Vukušić.
Thirty-one Majors/Commanders (N) (including eight female Majors) are promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel/Commander (N). Thirty-five Captains/Lieutenants (including five female Captains to the rank of Major) are promoted regularly to the rank of Major/Lieutenant Commander (N). Twenty First Lieutenants (including five female First Lieutenants) are promoted to the rank of Captain/Lieutenant (N).
Twenty-three Lieutenants/Lieutenants Junior Grade (including four female Lieutenants to the rank of First Lieutenant) are promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant. Furthermore, two First Lieutenants Military Specialists are promoted to the rank of Captain Military Specialists, and two female Lieutenants Military Specialists are promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant.
On behalf of the decorated and promoted, the Commander of the Croatian Navy, Rear Admiral Damir Dojkić, addressed the gathering, emphasizing that the ceremonial act of awarding decorations and promotions by the President of the Republic is a reward and recognition for the work, dedication and responsibility that the decorated and promoted invest in serving the homeland every day.
“These awards are not just a symbol of honour, they are a sign that honest work, perseverance and faith in the right path never go unnoticed. Guided by a sense of duty and love for the homeland, we move forward. Your recognition is a strong incentive for us to be even better and more dedicated, and to continue to be a solid support and shield for the security of our country. We feel pride and even greater responsibility. May our achievements be a beacon for all those who come, those who are just dreaming of their steps in the army, so that they know that dedication and honesty are not just words but values that are lived and that, as today, are recognized and valued,” Rear Admiral Damir Dojkić stated in his speech.
Attending the ceremony in the Office of the President were the delegate of the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament and Deputy Chairperson of the Defence Committee Ante Deur; the delegate of the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister and State Secretary in the Ministry of Defence Tomislav Galić; the delegate of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Croatian Veterans’ Affairs and Adviser to the Minister Retired General Dragutin Repinc; the Chief of Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces Lieutenant General Tihomir Kundid; the Director of the Military Security and Intelligence Agency Brigadier General Ivan Turkalj; the Deputy Director of the Security and Intelligence Agency Hrvoje Omrčanin; Vice rector and Coordinator of the University of Zagreb Tomislav Josip Mlinarić; the Rector of the Defence and Security University Ivica Lučić, General Police Director Nikola Milina, the Assistant to the Director of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces for Medical Services Major General Boris Zdilar; Branch and Command Commanders, Heads of Directorates, Deputy Commanders and Commanders of Armed Forces units, first Armed Forces NCO, first NCOs of Branches and Commands of the Croatian Armed Forces, Special Adviser to the Minister of the Interior Retired General Mladen Markač; members of the General Police Director’s Board; former Defence Ministers of the Republic of Croatia Luka Bebić, Damir Krstičević and Ante Kotromanović; former Chiefs of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces Retired Admirals Davor Domazet Lošo and Robert Hranj; the President of the Croatian Generals Association Retired General Marinko Krešić; representatives of Homeland War Defenders Associations and Associations of Veterans of Ministry of the Interior units and of the Croatian Armed Forces.
Alongside President Milanović at the formal reception were the Head of the Office of the President Orsat Miljenić, the Head of the Cabinet of the President Bartol Šimunić, the Adviser to the President for Defence Ivica Olujić, the Adviser to the President for National Security Dragan Lozančić, the Adviser to the President for Foreign and European Policy Neven Pelicarić, the Adviser to the President for Homeland War Veterans Marijan Mareković, the Adviser to the President for Human Rights and Civil Society Melita Mulić, the Adviser to the President for Education Jadranka Žarković, the Secretary-General of the Office of the President Dinko Suton, the Special Adviser to the President for the Economy Velibor Mačkić, the Assistant Adviser to the President for Foreign and European Policy Ivan Mutavdžić, the Assistant Adviser to the President for the Economy Martina Ciglević, the Commission to the President for Sports Tomislav Paškvalin and the Head of the Military Office in the Cabinet for Defence and National Security Brigadier General Ivica Kranjčević.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Filip Glas, Marko Beljan