20th anniversary of defending Dubrovnik

Solemn academia of Dubrovnik Defenders ’91 was held on 5 December 2011 with cultural program and awarding plaques to units. Envoy of the President and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces, Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Drago Lovric has paid special honour to all defenders of Dubrovnik. He stressed that no one could destroy and obliterate the courage and sacrifice of Dubrovnik defenders. “We are proud to commemorate all those who gave Dubrovnik the most important thing they had – their lives and their health” – General Lovric said and added that because of the tradition and values ​​of Dubrovnik citizens, Croatian President Ivo Josipovic expected from them to continue to be promoters in the development of democratic values ​​based on tolerance, multiculturalism and good neighbourly relations.

One of the worst days in the history of Dubrovnik, 6 December 1991, will be remembered as the day when the Serb-Montenegrin troops attacked Dubrovnik from all arms, killing 19 soldiers and civilians, and another 60 people were wounded. On the historical centre of the city fell several thousand grenades, nine palaces completely burned down, and 461 buildings were badly damaged.

The central ceremony in front of the church of St. Vlaho was held on 6 December 2011. On the eve, President laid a wreath at the memorial cross at the veteran cemetery Boninovo and visited the memorial room of soldiers killed in Sponza Palace. President and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Ivo Josipovic said that we all proudly remember all fallen for the freedom of Dubrovnik and Croatia and reminded that freedom has no price either in silver or in gold, and, unfortunately, not in people’s lives. The President posthumously awarded Miljenko Bratos, a key person to prepare defence in 1991, and awarded the Charter of the Republic of Croatia to the city of Dubrovnik and its defenders.

War commander of the Dubrovnik retired Major General Nojko Marinovic said that from the 194 defenders who died in the Homeland war in the first three months, during the siege of Dubrovnik, 94 were killed. “Thanks to all of Dubrovnik citizens who believed in my leadership and command” – he said.

Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Drago Lovric expressed his satisfaction that he witnessed the lining up of brave and unselfish men who brought freedom to this city, and preserved the life and soul of your city. “I want to pay honour to Dubrovnik defenders, who have shown determination and defended their town. You have shown and proved yourself and others that Dubrovnik’s culture, your pride and defiance lives forever.”

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