Central ceremony of CAF Day

The ceremony brought together the entire civil and military leadership, President and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Ivo Josipovic, Parliament Speaker Luka Bebic, Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor, deputy prime ministers and deputy Parliament spekaers, Defence Minister Davor Bozinovic, Minister of Family, Veterans’ Affairs and Intergenerational Solidarity, Tomislav Ivic, Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Drago Lovric, former defence ministers and chiefs of General Staff, the first commander of the Croatian National Guard General Martin Spegelj, veterans’ associations, including disabled veterans, military representatives of the military-diplomatic corps, representatives of city and local authorities and many citizens of Zagreb.
Twenty honorary salvos in honour of the 20^th CAF anniversary were fired from Medvedgrad, from the Altar of the Homeland and marked the entrance of echelons to the stadium.
At this historical place on 28 May 1991, a first review of units of the National Guard was held and 720 Croatian “Zenga” gave solemn oath to the first Croatian President Dr. Franjo Tudjman. Today, 20 years after, 14 echelons with more than 1200 veterans, members of the Armed Forces and the Interior Ministry lined up. Among them were those who were twenty years ago the first time lined up on the same place. First in the series was echelon with the wartime flags of 148 troops which defend the sovereignty of Croatia, followed by the Croatian Homeland war veterans.
The echelons were inspected by President Ivo Josipovic and report was given by Lieutenant General Slavko Baric, Deputy Chief of General Staff. After the national anthem, minute of silence for all Croatian soldiers who gave their lives for free, independent and democratic Croatia followed.
Members of the Armed Forces at the beginning were welcomed by the Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Drago Lovric, who said that Croatian soldiers on the same site showed a willingness and determination to defend freedom and democracy, and stressed that we should be proud on our past. He recalled the difficult moments of the war, but also on the fair and legitimate operations Flash and Storm in which the Croatian Armed Forces victoriously finished the war. “The Croatian army was built on professionalism, mutual trust and unity that characterize it today as well, and the Homeland War is a symbol of the true value of the Croatian Armed Forces”, he said. General Lovric then said that currently 469 members of the Armed Forces have been deployed in international peace support operations around the world, on what we should be very proud.

Defence Minister Davor Bozinovic also congratulated the 20^th CAF anniversary to soldiers and war veterans and said: “You have fought for and defended the Homeland, liberated the last part of it. From poorly armed defenders with a big heart you have grown up in well-organized units that conducted its main task, defending the country, honourably. Today, the CAF has been proud member of NATO, they are a reliable partner of Croatian citizens, appropriately structured organization, but CAF will always live the spirit of patriotism which gathered you on 28 May 1991, and the love for the Homeland”.
Special congratulations to the Croatian war veterans, especially disabled war veterans and all Croatian soldiers were sent by the Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor. Prime Minister on that occasion said: “You, despite the victims, gave us the freedom. You have successfully responded to the given tasks thus creating modern Croatian history. You are witnessing how the Homeland War was just”. She also added that the Armed Forces in time of peace continued to build and develop its abilities, and now grown into a respected armed forces which with their professionalism made a significant contribution to Croatian accession to NATO. In the end, she said to all members of the CAF: “Continue your mission and be inspired with the memory of all veterans who gave their lives for our Homeland to live.”
On behalf of the Croatian Parliament, Parliament Speaker Luka Bebic congratulated all the present and recalled that 20 years ago we believed in our veterans, and today we are proud of what they did in defending and building of the Croatian state. “We are a country that deeply respects the peace, and Croatian army is a defensive army. Courage, loyalty and patriotism is what adorns Croatian soldiers and policemen. We have achieved our freedom and want to help those who strive for it”, Bebic said.
When congratulating to all members of CAF, President Ivo Josipovic particularly pointed out “The courage, bravery, respect, honour, determination, selflessness … the qualities that we associate with our armed forces and Croatian war veterans. But today I would like to particularly emphasize the proud, because we are particularly proud of what Croatia has become in these last 20 years. Croatia from the ashes grew to a respectable member of NATO, and the freedom that you have brought is the greatest thing that you could give”. He added that Croatia today need not to fear for its future, and especially recalled on killed Croatian soldiers whose sacrifice we should never forget.
President Josipovic then handed to the first Commander of the National Guard retired Gen. Martin Spegelj a decoration Order of Queen Jelena with Sash and Danica. Thanking for the decoration, General Spegelj said that he wanted to share the award with all the guards members who were 20 years ago lined up at the stadium and those who were at that time already defending the Homeland. “The Croatian army has made hundreds of small and large victories and won the war and freedom. I congratulate you on the Jubilee. I am proud of our professional military. Croatian soldier is the best soldier that I know”, General Spegelj said.
The ceremony continued on “Jarun” recreational centre with program, which included the demonstration of the skills of the Special Operations Battalion and Special Police of Ministry of Interior, acrobatic program of the group “Wings of Storm” and ceremonial program of Honorary Battalion. Many visitors toured weapons display, combat and non-combat equipment of CAF and police, and about a hundred stalls of veterans’ cooperatives.

VIDEO

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AUDIO

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