The formal commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of Operation “Storm”

 The President of the Republic of Croatia as the Supreme Commander of the Croatian Armed Forces,   Kolinda Grabar- Kitarović congratulated the members of the Croatian Armed Forces the Victory and Homeland’s Gratitude Day and the Croatian Defenders Day as well as the 20th Anniversary of the Military and Police Operation “Storm“ and paid tribute to the fallen and missing Croatian defenders, members of the Croatian Armed Forces, the Police and the victims from the Operation Storm and the Homeland War. She also extended regards and congratulations to the members o the Croatian Armed Forces deployed in peace operations worldwide, and particularly in Afghanistan.
The President reminded of 4 August 1995 and underlined its immense importance as a “a brilliant and legitimate operation and a historic moment for Croatia“.

The President also stated that the members of the Croatian Armed Forces were a guarantee of security and stressed the importance of togetherness of Croatian citizens .
“The military parade held in 1995 was an introduction to the Operation  “Storm“ and I believe this Parade will signal an economy storm taking Croatia towards prosperity and stability. We should act proud and dignified and prove to the world our respect for the national as well as for and the other countries’ values“ said the President.

Minister Kotromanović extended for his part the congratulations to the members of the Croatian Armed Forces and to the Ministry of Defence staff  on the Victory and the Homeland’s Gratitude Day and the Croatian Defenders Day and the 20th Anniversary of the Military and Police Operation “Storm“ . In his address the Minister said “Twenty years on, the commanders who conducted the Operation “Storm“ will receive the decorations for the merit.  I wish to extend appreciation to them and to other members of the Croatian Armed Forces for the immense contribution in the liberation of the country and for the entire 20-year service“ said Minister Kotromanović.
The Minister underlined the two days commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the Operation. “We should use the opportunity of the two commemorative events – in Zagreb and Knin – to prove ourselves as a decent and patriotic nation nurturing the respect for own national values and for other countries as well’“ said the Minister.

The Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, General Drago Lovrić remembered the beginning of the Operation and its critical importance for the entire Homeland War and the situation in the former Yugoslavia and southeast Europe.
“Our Armed Forces, who waged the victorious operations,  grew from the resolute resistance to the agression and the love for their country“.
General Lovrić emphasised the strength of the Croatan soldiers as tireless humanitarians and patriots, defying fatigue and figthing the demanding and caotic situations by discipline.
“Today the Croatian soldiers take part in the building of peace ans stability, contributing to a better and safer world. There are no obstacles, challenges or enemies that the Croatian soldiers cannot overcome defending the national interests“ concluded General Lovrić
The Order of Duke Branimir with neck for outstanding service in promoting the international status and reputation of the Croatian state and its relations with other countries and the successful integration of the Republic of Croatia into NATO has been conferred on the Deputy Defence Minister, Višnja Tafra.

On the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the Operation  “Storm” the Order of Vice-Roy Jelačić has been conferred on a number of officers for distinguished command and merit in the establishment and development of the Croatian Armed Forces: Major General (Ret.) Vlado Bagarić, Brigadier General (Ret.) Mladen Mikolčević and  Zdenko Radulj, Staff Brigadier Ivan Čanić (posthumously), Colonels  Vlado Kovačević, Željko Nakić, Stjepan Grgac (posthumously), Colonels (Ret.) Željko Krapljan, Željko Perinović, Andrija Bunić, Josip Tomačić, Milan Perković, Ivan Pavić, Željko Dilber, Gorki Tičinivić, Ivan Peica and Joško Dragović, Lieutenant Colonels Dragutin Remenar, Ivica Sertić, Ivan Jenjić and Slavko Vlahov  (posthumously), Lieutenant Colonels (Ret.) Branko Glavaš, Vinko Jurin, Alojzij Hren, Bruno Čavić, Veljko Vičević, Ivan Majer, Vladimir Prugovečki, Mirko Godinić, Vladimir Katić, Josip Goršić, Ivo Andrić, Mijo Kirinčić, Mirko Vuković, Ivan Brajković, Ivan Ivković, Danijel Telesmanić, Josip Čerina, Mihael Budimir, Dragan Brkljača and Nediljko Sirić, Majors (Ret.) Fabijan Dumančić, Stjepan Kostanjević, Ivica Broz, Ernest Tušek, Ivica Ivaci, Ivan Lorković, Branko Pečevar, Nikola Zdunić, Luka Matanić, Josip Vicić, Davor Pavelić, Selimir Vukšić, Bruno Milin and Zvonko Marko, Captains (Ret.)  Vilim Šeperić, Božo Vuković and Ferid Fazlić and 1st Lieutenant (Ret.) Mato Mamić.
The President  promoted 85 members of the Croatian Armed Forces, among whom Brigadier General  Ivan Jurić has been promoted to the rank of Major General, and Commodore Tihomir Erceg to the rank of Rear admiral.
Lieutenant Colonels Perica Turalija, Miroslav Kuhar, Dean Kranjčec and Miroslav Zekušić were promoted to the rank of Colonel, and Lieutenant Commander François Buj to the rank of Captain (N).
Likewise, under the decision of the Chief of the General Staff 118 NCOs have been promoted to a higher rank.
The Minister of Defence issued the decision to confer award on one and commendation on  13 members of the Croatian Armed Forces, and the Chief of the General  Staff issued the decision confer award on two and commendation on five members of the Croatian Armed Forces  respectively.