New members of Battalion “Pauci” receive berets
At the oath-taking ceremony for the members of the 3rd Mechanised Battalion of the Guard of the Guards Mechanised Brigade of the Croatian Army held in the Barracks of the 4th Guards Brigade at Dračevac in Split, the members of the 3rd Mechanised Battalion “Pauci” were symbolically presented with the red berets.
The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević.
The Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces Lieutenant General Drago Matanović, the Commander of the Croatian Army Major General Siniša Jurković,the Commander of the Guards Mechanised Brigade Brigadier General Tihomir Kundid,the Mayor of Split, Andro Krstulović Opara, by the representatives of the veterans associations and local authorities.
Minister Krstičević congratulated the new members of the “Pauci” Battalion and recalled the first beret awarding ceremony for the 4th Brigade and the Brigade’s members fallen fighting for the homeland.
“All members of the 4th Brigade came here to take their oaths of loyalty to the homeland as you are doing today. We should never discard their sacrifice, Red berets have always brought peace, freedom, they meant chivalry heroism and honour.
“The red berets stand for strength, courage, pride, honour, they combine patritiotism and readiness to sacrify and victory”, said the Minister.
Minister Krstičević also praised the opinion poll findings, suggesting the Croatian Armed Forces enjoyed the highest level of trust of young citizens of Croatia,”proving that the Croatian Armed Forces are the true guarantor of peace and security. You are the backbone of the Croatian Armed Forces and their biggest value; wear your red berets proudly and dignifiedly“ .The Minister announced the re-establishment of the Primary Leadership Development Centre.
Congratulating the trainees on successful completion of the specialist military training Lieutenant General Drago Matanović stressed the ceremony was an occasion to commemorate and extend gratitude to the fallen and missing Croatian defenders and respect to their families
“The war history of the your unit is an example of patriotism and selfless giving, you are successors of the legendary 4th Guards Brigade whose members fought fearlessly during the Homeland War, defying the much stronger aggressor”, said Lt. Gen. Matanović.
The Mayor of Split Andro Krstulović Opara praised the value and importance of the red berets.
“Your decision to serve your homeland in the Croatian Armed Forces is a sign of dignity, honour and valour”.
The audience was welcome by the chairman of the Association of the 4th Guards Brigade Hrvoje Pupić- Vurilj, who stated:
“Today begins your service to the homeland; take these red berets as the symbol to guide you and a remembrance of the soldiers who wore them before”.
The Military Chaplain f. Božo Ančić celebrated mass in the chapel “Sveti Križ” at Dračevac on the occasion.
“Dostojanstvo, čast i hrabrost pokazali ste svojom odlukom da budete pripadnici Hrvatske vojske i da služite svojoj domovini”.
Prisutne je pozdravio predsjednik Udruge 4. gardijske brigade Hrvoje Pupić- Vurilj.
“Neka vam današnji dan bude početak služenje domovini Hrvatskoj i neka vam crvena beretka bude znak vodilja i uspomena na one koji su je slavno nosili prije vas.”
Povodom svečanosti održano je misno slavlje koje je ispred kapelice “Sveti Križ” Dračevac predvodio vojni kapelan fra Božo Ančić.
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