President Milanović Decorates ‘Tigers’ First Guards Brigade, Says Today We Dream of Success, Peace and Stability
The President of the Republic of Croatia Zoran Milanović presented decorations to members of the ‘Tigers’ First Guards Brigade and to members of the Special Police Unit Rakitje of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia, on their 30th anniversary of formation.
At a ceremony held at the Office of the President of the Republic, President Milanović said that today, thirty years after those difficult, glorious events in which very few people participated, we can slowly begin to seek closure, but without ever forgetting what took place.
“As in any great trouble, when people are seized with fear, disbelief, and when they do not know what to do, then in those days, weeks and months, and every time such anxiety possesses people, the fate of the majority depends on a small number of people – a few good people,” said the Croatian President.
“At that time, Croatia was practically being protected by people who were brave and bold enough, uncompromising and who did not allow themselves to be frightened. You were among those people. So thank you once again to all of you who are alive and a big, lasting thank you, from the heart, goes to all those who are no longer with us. Croatia will never forget them and has never forgotten them,” President Milanović exclaimed.
The President said that Croatia is a small but proud European country. “We know our limitations and capabilities, but we also have our plans, ambitions and dreams. We dream of success, peace and stability. We dream of good chances for a peaceful and calm life for our families, for ourselves and our nation,” said President Milanović. In his address, he also mentioned neighbouring countries with which we are trying to build normal and quality relations despite, as he put it, some minor misunderstandings. “And so it will be in the future. The rules are clear, the standards apply to everyone. We do not wish to harm anyone. We do not dream or rejoice in anyone’s failure. We are only asking for that little bit of respect and, if you will, understanding, which is the basic precondition for people to live together and agree on things,” he said.
“We are the only society in Europe that can describe itself as a generation that went through war – some, like you, have experienced it directly, but all Croatian citizens went through war indirectly. There is no other country in Europe that has experienced this, except for our neighbour, the destroyed, devastated and humiliated country of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said President Milanović, emphasizing once again that after thirty years the time has come to seek closure. “It does not mean end or oblivion. It means turning to the present that is not great. You are all wearing masks and that’s good. That is how we should continue, but we have to go through this crisis as humans, with a healthy mind and common sense – by not being intimidated, or insecure, more than any person should be, and by being aware that we are part of one huge puzzle where we do not, as individuals, have that much influence.” President Milanović ended his address with the verses from the song of the ‘Tigers’ Brigade: “Dear friends, Croatian heroes, ‘I u slavi i u krvi Tigrovi su uvijek prvi!’ [‘Both in glory and in blood the Tigers are always first!’].”
By the Constitutional powers vested in him and in accordance with the Law on Decorations and Recognitions of the Republic of Croatia, and on the proposal of the Decorations and Recognitions Standing Committee of the Republic of Croatia, the President of the Republic of Croatia made the decision to bestow the following decorations:
For their valour and heroism displayed in the Homeland War, the Order of Duke Domagoj with Ribbon is awarded to Bruno Bulić (posthumously), Drago Prša and Željko Tošić (posthumously).
For their deeds of valour in the Homeland War, the Order of Nikola Šubić Zrinski is awarded to Marko Dogančić, Zoran Gruber (posthumously), Jozo Milićević and Stevica Pavlini (posthumously).
For their extraordinary successful command of units of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia and for extraordinary military services in the Armed Forces’ organization, the Order of Ban Jelačić is awarded to Lieutenant Colonel Mihael Pintarić and Damir Šimunić.
For being seriously wounded in the Homeland War, the Order of the Croatian Cross is awarded to Željko Božić, Davorin Fiket, Damir Gregurić, Zdravko Ivanek, Franjo Kantoci, Damir Podvinski, Ivan Štefec and Branko Turek.
For their extraordinary services to the Republic of Croatia in a state of war, the Order of the Croatian Trefoil is awarded to Nikola Bogojević, Ivan Bošnjak, Stanko Butorac (posthumously), Miroslav Ćuk (posthumously), Stevica Davidović (posthumously), Marijan Đuran (posthumously), Damir Grabar, Alen Grđan, Zlatko Horvat (posthumously), Stjepan Ivanović, Predrag Jurčec (posthumously), Mate Juroš (posthumously), Ivica Kopecki, Marijan Kosić (posthumously), Damir Krsnik (posthumously), Dražen Levanić (posthumously), Duško Malić, Vlado Muraja, Josip Orešković (posthumously), Mario Šincek and Željko Vinković (posthumously).
For their valour and heroism displayed in the Homeland War, the Order of the Croatian Interlace is awarded to Vladimir Balgač, Mile Čulina (posthumously), Josip Knežević (posthumously) and Tihomir Vidmar.
Decorated ‘Tigers’ Damir Šimunić and Josip Širić delivered speeches on behalf of all those who received decorations.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Filip Glas i Dario Andrišek