Day of Croatian Navy celebrated in Ploce

Reveille of the Navy Orchestra in the early morning, laying wreaths in front of the monument of Croatian soldiers, cruise of the “Sibenik” Missile Gunboat trough the Neretva channel during which, in accordance with maritime tradition, in memory of the all deceased sailors, a wreath into the sea was laid, were a sort of an introduction to the central ceremony that was held at the Passenger coast in Ploce.

The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor, envoy of the President and Commander-in-Chief Zlatko Gareljic, Croatian Parliament Vice Speaker Frano Matusic, Defence Minister Branko Vukelic and other ministers, Deputy Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Slavko Baric, Commander of the Croatian Navy Rear Admiral (UH) Ante Urlic, and other senior civilian and military officials, military attaches accredited in Croatia, representatives of local authorities and church, and residents of Ploce.

Ceremonial naval deployment was inspected by the Minister of Defence Branko Vukelic, who was also given the submission of the Deputy Commander of the Croatian Navy Rear Admiral (LH) Tihomir Erceg. The ceremony continued by the state anthem and a minute of silence for all deceased Croatian soldiers.

Congratulating the Croatian Navy Day and its 19th anniversary, the senior civil and military officials reminded on the history of the Navy, a role it had during the Homeland war, and emphasized the importance that it has nowadays in the preservation of safety at sea.

“The Croatian Navy is the main authority and guarantee of the protection of Croatian interests at sea”, said Navy Commander Rear Admiral Ante Urlic, “and is ready to defend Croatia from all threats”. Its members, he recalled, has been participating in international operations, and by NATO membership Croatian Navy has become even stronger and equally with the navies of other countries participated in the preservation of world peace and security.
Vice Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, Frano Matusic pointed out the immeasurable role of Navy in the Homeland war, and even today in peacetime Navy has been very important and “we are all proud of the fact that we are in safe hands when it comes to defending our sea, land and our coast”.

On behalf of the President to all members of the Navy on their 19th Anniversary greetings were sent by Zlatko Gareljic. He pointed out the role of the Croatian Navy in our recent past, and recalled its first Commander Sveto Letica Barba. “By marine resources, human resources and above all the fact that Croatia is a maritime country, Croatia is a rich country”, Gareljic said. He noted that Croatia respected and promoted the principle of indivisibility of security, that the Croatia has been participating in international operations and that it has been modern and well-established to the extent that it was recognized by our allies and partners. Gareljic also said that we should not reduce the level of defence budget, and the modernization of Navy should continue, as well as the training of naval personnel.

When addressing the members of the Croatian Navy, Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor pointed out that there would be no free Croatia without free Adriatic Sea. “Before 19 years you were painstakingly freeing Croatian Adriatic coast and islands. You broke naval blockade, won the battle in front of Split, connected Dubrovnik with the rest of Croatia, and participated in the glorious liberation operations”, said PM Kosor adding that it was always a Croatian man, his professionalism, determination and patriotism that major force. PM stressed that the government highly appreciated the achievements of Navy and would continue to support key projects to modernize and equip the Croatian Navy. “Continued equipping and modernization with the unquestioned expertise of our sailors, NCOs and officers and our capabilities to preserve safety at sea are growing”, the Prime Minister concluded.

On occasion of the 19th anniversary, distinguished members of the Navy received the promotions and commendations.

Local citizens and everyone who came to the celebration could visit the Navy ships and weapon display of the Navy, and on the MOD stand they could introduce themselves with the projects of attracting new personnel into the Croatian Armed Forces.

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