President Milanović at ceremony marking Municipality Day and anniversary of the defence of Nuštar: A few good people defended Croatia
The President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces attended today a ceremony marking the 31st anniversary of the foundation of the Municipality of Nuštar and the 33rd anniversary of the defence of Nuštar.
On that occasion, President Milanović recalled the courage and determination of the few defenders of Nuštar and of Croatia. “Nuštar was defended by about 300 brave people who succeeded in defending their community from the overwhelming enemy. And that’s why for five years I have been repeating that Croatia was defended, indeed defended by a few good people”, he noted, underlining that precisely such people, with their unselfish commitment and courage, secured freedom for all of Croatia.
President Milanović referred to the present-day challenges Croatia faces, especially in the context of tapping European funds. He called on local authorities and residents to make use of all available opportunities thanks to membership in the European Union. “Fight with all your strength for the money that comes from European funds, that money is as much ours as it is German, let there be no dilemma”, he noted, adding that Croatia must be equal in the European community and take advantage of all opportunities for economic and social progress.
Ahead of the ceremony, the President of the Republic paid tribute to the fallen defenders of Nuštar by laying a wreath and lighting a candle at the monument to the defence of Nuštar. The extent of the destruction and the ferocity of the fight for Nuštar are indicated by the fact that 91 defenders were killed in Nuštar, 280 of them were wounded, while 56 Nuštar residents lost their lives in the Homeland War.
Speaking at the ceremony apart from President Milanović were the president of the Municipal Council of Nuštar Darko Čuljak, the head of the Municipality Hrvoje Drinovac, the head of the Municipality of Baška Toni Juranović and the mayor of Vinkovci, member of the Croatian Parliament and delegate of the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Ivan Bosančić.
Ahead of the ceremony in Nuštar, President Milanović laid a wreath and lit a candle at the monument to the fallen “Sokolovi” (Hawks) in Vinkovci on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of the formation of the 5th Guards Brigade “Sokolovi”.
This brigade was formed on 5 October 1992 in Vinkovci, which is mainly composed of troops from Slavonia, which is why it is known as the “Slavonski sokolovi”. During the Homeland War, a total of 77 members of the Brigade were killed, while around 300 of them were wounded.
Alongside President Milanović were the Special Adviser to the President for Homeland War Veterans Marijan Mareković and the Aide-de-camp to the President Vlado Čulina.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Marko Beljan