Ministers Bozinovic and Ivic on the military-police pilgrimage in Lourdes
“Military pilgrimage is a special kind of service to peace. Here Croatian soldiers, police officers, veterans, disabled veterans with friends from other countries send a message that peace is not something that is itself a default, but something that require continuous work. Here the foundations of cooperation are built, to which Croatia is devoted. Soldiers and police officers serve to peace and security, and Lourdes can just inspire them in this”, Defence Minister Davor Bozinovic said, who with the Minister of Family, Veterans’ Affairs and Intergenerational Solidarity Tomislav Ivic visited participants of the 19th military-police pilgrimage to Lourdes that participate on the 53rd international military pilgrimage.
The Minister was satisfied with how CAF members were received in Lourdes. “Croatian soldiers have brought peace to Croatia, and now serve to peace throughout the world, and rightfully belong to the family of peacemakers”, Bozinovic said.
Minister of Family, Veterans’ Affairs and Intergenerational Solidarity Tomislav Ivic was proud that in Lourdes Croatian delegation was together with the disabled veterans, Croatian soldiers and policemen. “Here at the site of the apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes we pray for all fallen Croatian soldiers and their families, for our country and for strength to prevail the challenges that await us”, Ivic said.
During their stay in Lordes, ministers Bozinovic and Ivic met with the disabled veterans, visited members of the Croatian Armed Forces located in the international military camp and participated in other activities of the pilgrimage.
This year’s 53rd international military pilgrimage to Lourdes takes place under the motto “United in One Father and One Prayer”. It lasts until 22 May 2011 and among the pilgrims from many countries around the world, about 800 of them are from Croatia.
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