Solemn Academy held in MOD
On the occasion of Victory Day and the Day of Homeland Gratitude, the Day of Croatian Veterans and 15th anniversary of the “Storm” military operation, in the presence of President of the Republic of Croatia and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Ivo Josipovic, Minister of Defence Branko Vukelic and Chief of General Staff General Josip Lucic, a solemn academy was held in the Ministry of Defence on Monday, August 2. On that occasion, promotions, awards and commendations where handed to the MOD and Croatian Armed Forces employees. A total of 230 officers of which 154 in the lower, and 76 in the senior officer’s rank were promoted. Out of total number of promoted officers, 48 are women.
“Victory and Day of Homeland Gratitude symbolize and summarizes all operations that were held during the Homeland war, all efforts to ensure the citizens peace and stability in their own country, and for the Republic of Croatia a place in the international community where it belongs”, General Lucic said on that occasion. He stressed that we continued to build Croatian soldiers, NCOs and officers on the rich tradition from the Homeland war. He recalled that CAF members have been involved in international peacekeeping operations over 11 years, by which Croatia has established as reliable partner of the international community.
Congratulating Victory and Day of Homeland Gratitude, and the Day of Croatian Veterans, Minister Vukelic recalled the events from the early August 1995. “Then we showed ourselves and the world the victorious Croatian force. We showed that there are no impossible tasks, that the just aspirations on the free Croatia were coming to true. In this historic task, many of you here have given invaluable contribution. You showed how to love, how to defend, and how to win. The Homeland will always be grateful”, Minister Vukelic said. Speaking about further development of the Croatian Armed Forces Minister Vukelic said that the Ministry of Defence tried to do everything to implement its strategic projects, to raise standards in equipment, and in daily life of CAF members. “We know very well that you are our most valuable asset, and that the investment in achieving the desired standards is investment in security and stability”, Defence Minister Vukelic concluded.
“These days we remember one of the most important dates in our history, the day when the victorious Croatian Armed Forces together with members of the Ministry of Internal Affairs won one of the most brilliant victories in our history”, President Josipovic said. In particular, he recalled those killed and missing Croatian soldiers who with their lives and health have given the greatest contribution to victory in the Homeland War. “Without them there would be no Croatia”, President Josipovic said. When congratulating promoted, awarded and commended MOD employees and CAF members, President Josipovic stressed that learning, training, work and achievements were the basic conditions for advancement. “Excellence will be a criterion for advancement and success, but also the criterion by which the society will evaluate you and me, the Armed Forces and the Commander in Chief”, the President said, adding that this was the case because people care about the most important tasks of the Ministry of Defence and Commander in Chief. He stressed that the Croatian soldier enjoys a great reputation, not only in the country, but also in the international community, and thanked all members of the Armed Forces who, by participating in international missions gave a great contribution to the reputation of Croatia in the world. He stressed that knowledge is the strongest weapon that some people may have, and concluded that the military is and must be the nursery of knowledge.