Croatian Army and Armed Forces Day Commemoration

attended by the President of the Republic as Supreme Commander, Ivo Josipović, the Defence Minister, Ante Kotromanović, the Chief of the General Staff, General Drago Lovrić, representatives of the Government and of the Parliament of the Republic of Croatia, representatives of religious communities, of the academic community and of the diplomatic corps accreditated to Croatia, the present and former members of the Armed Forces and other invitees.
The President of the Republic of Croatia and Supreme Commander of the Croatian Armed Forces, Ivo Josipović extended his congratulations to their present and former members, defenders, disabled veterans and members of the families of the fallen defenders, saying «You are the pride of Croatia – you are its creators and merit our deep gratitude. The Croatian Armed Forces were victorious in warttime as they are today, in peace. You waged the war for the freedom and independence bravely and with dignity, while in peace time you participated in a number of peace operations worldwide, and are today overcoming the disastrous flood», stated the President.
He also pledged support to the Government’s determination to invest into equipment and modernisation of the Armed Forces and to improve their members’ living conditions, because the Armed Forces justify the funds invested into them. Reiterating his appreciation to all members of the Croatian Armed Forces, the President expressed his pride over being their Supreme Commander.

The Defence Minister Ante Kotromanović extended his congratulations to members of the Croatian Armed Forces and addressed the flood disaster in Slavonia, where Croatian soliders have had an important part. “In Slavonia and in the flood-hit areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina the Croatian Armed Forces have demonstrated capability, solidarity and courage; as defenders before and as builders today. We owe them gratitude for their commitment and pride”, said the Minister, who emphasised that the Armed Forces were well-organised and capable, multiplying any investment into them, and announced the enhancement of the amphibious and helicopter capabilities of the Armed Forces, as well as further reforms and investing into the manpower.

The Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, General Drago Lovrić, recalled the historic line-up of the first units of the Croatian military, at the “Zagreb” Football Club Stadium in Kranjčevićeva 23 years ago, and the events, the operations and great victories won by the Croatian soldiers in the Homeland War. The strong sense of ethics, courage, patriotism and sacrification of the wartime were reconfirmed in the post-war period through building of the Armed Forces organisation and the participation in the international peace operations; and now again, providing relief to the disaster-stricken population. The members of the Croatian Armed Forces have demonstrated their honourable sense of duty, courage and capability from Slavonia to Afghanistan, and from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Kosovo, evincing the commitment to humanitarian aid, risk taking and swift decision making», stated General Lovrić, who also announced a balanced development of all services of the Croatian Armed Forces and investment into human potential as the priority for the future.

Pursuant to the Decision of the President of the Republic 127 members of the Armed Forces have been promoted, among whom the Commander of the Army, Major General Dragutin Repinc, promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General, the Commander of the Coast Guard, Navy Captain Marin Stošić, received the promotion to Commodore; Brigadier General Drago Matanović to the rank of Major General, and Colonels Blaž Beretin and Miroslav Kovač to the rank of Brigadier General.

The commemoration ceremony featured the presentation of prizes to the winners of the competition “2014 Fittest CAF Member” – the winner, Sergeant First Class Pero Bertović of the Military Intelligence Battalion of the Croatian Army, was presented with the badge and the trophy; the presentation of a documentary, titled «Croatian Armed Forces in NATO-led Operations», produced by the Public Affairs and Publishing Service of the Ministry of Defence, which was followed by the performances of the Symphonic Wind Orchestra of the Croatian Armed Forces (conducted by Major Miroslav Vukovojac Dugan), the Orchestra of the Hungarian Home Guard (conducted by Lt.Col. Tibor Kovacs) and the Croatian Navy Vocal Ensemble «Sveti Juraj».
An exhibition of the Croatian military equipment manufacturers was organised on the occasion.
Outside the Hall, the Orchestra of the Croatian Armed Forces performed its musical programme, and the Honorary Battalion demonstrated honorary and exercise drills in the centre of Zagreb.

YouTube 

{video}isaf-kafor_14{/video}

{module [404]|626}