President Milanović Receives Members of Croatian Navy Dubrovnik Volunteers Association

The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović received today members of the Croatian Navy Dubrovnik Volunteers Association, on the eve of the anniversary marking the formation of the wartime unit.

The naval infantry unit from Dubrovnik was formed on 1 November 1991 and participated in the defence of Dubrovnik, Elaphiti Islands, the liberation of the Municipality of Župa Dubrovačka, Dubrovnik Littoral, Konavle and the hinterland. A group of individuals founded the unit on their own initiative, in response to the need for an organized defence of Dubrovnik under attack. Following the decision of the Commander of the Croatian Navy Admiral Sveto Letica, the unit formally became part of the Croatian Navy.

Some 1,100 members passed through the unit’s ranks and 14 fell in the defence of Croatia, it was said at the meeting with the President. Every year, members of the Association mark the date when the Croatian Navy in Dubrovnik was founded, remembering the events that took place in 1991. They discussed with President Milanović the wartime circumstances, including events related to the defence and the formation of the Croatian Navy in the Homeland War.

The following individuals participated in the meeting with the President of the Republic: the first wartime Commander of the Croatian Navy in Dubrovnik, Company Commander and Head of the Association Želimir Čizmić, wartime Head of Communications and Deputy Head of the Association Vlaho Lonza, wartime platoon Commanders Petar Srijemsi and Miho Pejdar, Head of HRM Župa Dubrovačka private Pero Matuško, wartime Commander on the island of Lokrum Ivica Matijaš and privates Miho Duper, Tonči Daničić, Boris Njavro, Stijepan Klešković, Žarko Rajković, Vlaho Mazarekić and Mario Čulić.

PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Marko Beljan