Formal ceremony marking 28 anniversary of CAF

Among the festivities marking the Croatian Army Day and the 28th anniversary of the establishment of the Croatian Armed Forces included a formal ceremony held in the Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall on 28 May 2019, which was attended by the President of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović as Supreme Commander of the Croatian Armed Forces, by the,Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Gordan Jandroković, by the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister RH Damir Krstičević, by the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces General Mirko Šundov, by the Commander of the Croatian Army Major General Siniša Jurković, ministers of the Croatian Government, members of the Parliament, former and present members of the Croatian Armed Forces, by members of the families of the fallen and missing defenders of the Homeland War representatives of the defenders’ associations and other senior invitees.

The ceremony saw the presentation of the award for the “Memorial Maj. Davor Jović – First for Croatia” competition to the best performing participants – Pvt Mara Pejić as the best female participant was presented with a HS 2000 pistol, and Cpl Nikola Knežević as the fittest member of the Croatian Armed Forces and the winner of the Competition was presented with the pistol and the badge “The Fittest Member of the CAF.

The President of the Republic in her address congratulated on the Croatian Army Day and on the 28th anniversary of establishment of the Croatian Armed Forces.

“Thank you for the honourable and self-denying service to Croatia, your homeland, fulfilling your daily tasks, developing capabilities and practicing, taking part in peace support operations and missions and assisting the civilian population in emergencies.

“We have assigned all the tasks to you with all trust, the trust you have always justified”. The President underlined the polls revealing the Croatian Armed Forces the most trusted institution by the Croatian people; it is to your honour and encouragement for further distinguished service and resolute striving for excellency in each task you receive”, said the President.

The Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Gordan Jandroković reminded of the historic line-up of four brigades of the Croatian National Guard – the core of the modern Croatian military – in the FC “Zagreb” on 28 May 1991.

“The Homeland War is the foundation of the modern Croatia and we are perennially grateful for the sacrifice of the Croatian defenders”. The Croatian Armed Forces have grown into a committed and reliable NATO ready to respond to any challenges. 

The Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević said “Celebrating proudly and dignifiedly the anniversary of the Croatian Armed Forces we are guarding the memory and the values built into our homeland”. The Minister reminded of the achievements of the Croatian Armed Forces during their development and emphasised: “The making of the Croatian Armed Forces was unique in the world”. 
The Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Amred Forces General Mirko Šundov recalled the glorious 28-year history of the Croatian Army, during which time it responded to all challenges and of the role it has today. “At home members of the Croatian Armed Forces are ready to assist citizens affected by crisis situations such as fires, earthquakes, emergency transportation and search and rescue at sea. The Croatian Armed Forces enjoy recognition and the citizens know that they can rely on the soldiers at any time. The Croatian Armed Forces constitute an importan component of the homeland security system”, said Gen. Šundov.

The ceremony featured a film on the occasion of the 28th anniversary of the Croatian Armed Forces and musical performances by Miroslav Škoro, the Croatian Navy’s Ensemble “Sv. Juraj” and the Orchestra of the Croatian Armed Forces.

[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”3456″ display=”basic_thumbnail”]