President of the Republic Presents Honorary Rank of General and Decorations to Croatian Defenders for Contribution to Homeland War
“Time passes, the war ended long ago, however, we do not redress injustices with such ranks, but simply bring things into a harmonious, sound order. Congratulations to all those promoted! These are honorary ranks of general, which by the nature of things are few and will become fewer and far between simply because time passes”, the President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Zoran Milanović stated today at a ceremony during which he presented honorary ranks and decorations to Croatian defenders for their contribution to the Homeland War.
He thanked the Croatian defenders for everything they have done for Croatia. “You first defended Croatia. This is our territory, our borders that existed before 1991 and that the international community recognized as such. And then, with equal difficulty, you liberated Croatia. You also liberated Bosnia and Herzegovina. You did it in brotherhood in arms with the Americans and some other states, including the Bosniak forces, the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This made it possible to make peace, to impose peace by force of arms and to reach an agreement that functions in some way in Bosnia and Herzegovina today”, President Milanović said ahead of presenting the honorary ranks and decorations to Croatian defenders.
The President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Zoran Milanović presented the honorary rank of Brigadier General to retired Homeland War Croatian defenders for extraordinary service in the Homeland War. The honorary rank of Brigadier General is bestowed on: Vjeran Rožić, Miodrag Demo, Tihomir Budanko, Milan Perković, Mario Bradara, Ivo Filipović, Petar Zelenika, Jadran Topić and Ilija Vrljić.
The Order of Duke Domagoj with Ribbon, for demonstrated bravery and prowess in the Homeland War, immediate war danger or in exceptional circumstances in peace is bestowed on Kornelije Brkić.
The Order of Ban Jelačić, for exceptional successful command of Croatian Armed Forces units, for extraordinary military service to their organization and development, and to units and other organizational units of the Croatian Armed Forces is bestowed on: Robert Štefančić, Miroslav Papić – posthumously, Ivan Šoštarić, Boris Lisac, Herman Sušnik and Ivan Lerga – posthumously.
The Order of the Croatian Trefoil, for extraordinary service to the Republic of Croatia in war, immediate danger of war or extraordinary circumstances in peace is bestowed on: Željko Sokol, Stjepan Oreški, Miljenko Kauzlarić, Emiljko Štimac, Mladen Mauhar, Nebojša Mance – posthumously, Duško Hobar, Walter Cvjetan, Atilio Katalinić, Milorad Drača, Zdravko Nemet, Zoran Tamarut – posthumously, and Branislav Isakov.
The Order of the Croatian Interlace, for extraordinary contribution to the development and standing of the Republic of Croatia and the well-being of its citizens is bestowed on: Milivoj Diklić, Dinko Žilić, Nenad Toplak, Damir Lisac, Željko Zbašnik, Darko Kolenc, Marijan Mohorić – posthumously, Zoran Štimac, Ivan Troha, Stevo Kabić, Branko Novak, Ivica Jakšić, Nenad Hodap and Mario Bradara.
Thanking President Milanović for the recognitions, honorary Brigadier General Tihomir Budanko said that they are not a mere reflection of their military past “but also a reminder of the time when led by our love for the homeland we defended what was most valuable – life, freedom and dignity of the Croatian man”.
“The Homeland War was a time when ordinary people became soldiers, defenders of their homes and their homeland. We were not divided, we were brothers regardless of all the differences, we were united in one – the fight for a free and independent Republic of Croatia”, honorary Brigadier General Tihomir Budanko noted, concluding that today, thirty years later, defenders see this recognition as a confirmation that the sacrifice, the work and the loyalty to the homeland never cease to be appreciated.
Attending the ceremony in the Office of the President of the Republic apart from family members, comrades-in-arms, friends of the promoted and decorated individuals, and representatives of the local authorities were the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces Lieutenant General Tihomir Kundid and the Adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Croatian Veterans’ Affairs and his delegate General Ivan Pokaz.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Dario Andrišek, Tomislav Bušljeta