President Milanović at 30th Anniversary Ceremony of Formation of 13th Home Guard Regiment Karlovac
The President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Zoran Milanović attended this evening the 30th anniversary ceremony marking the formation of the 13th Home Guard Regiment “R” Karlovac and decorated its members.
After viewing photographs of the Regiment members killed, the President stated that all of them dreamed of a Croatia, but their dream was suddenly and brutally interrupted, yet “thanks to the defenders and the liberators we have our state”. “We have something most sacred, but also an instrument that helps us to be independent, free, independent within the scope of what is possible, in the integrated world in which we live, in the European Union, where we have to fight for our interests and our rights. And that instrument – is our state”, he noted.
The President reminded of the first time Croatian home guards were mentioned following the Croatian-Hungarian Settlement when the home guards were led by Croatian officers who answered to the Croatian Parliament and the emperor in Vienna, but the climax of the home guards’ contribution was in the Homeland War. “Next to the professional brigades – the striking force of the Croatian Army liberating and breaking through – an equally important role was played by the Croatian home guards. Not only in the outskirts of Karlovac where you literally defended your homes, but also in the mountains of Bosnia and Herzegovina where the Croatian soldiers perished to the last day, paving the way for Croatian freedom, at Kupres and in all those regions that also mean Croatian freedom. Without peace, stability, order, democracy and justice in those areas there is no free Croatia either. And that is the purpose of the Croatian state today – it serves as an instrument to guarantee equality to those people with peaceful means, but with determination, and if necessary, impudence and rudeness. Our fallen heroes did not hesitate before this task, and I think they would certainly agree”, President Milanović stated.
Our state has fewer and fewer inhabitants, that’s a deficiency, but not a tragedy if we clearly define and realize what our interests are, how far we can go, where we have to stand with our allies, and where as a state and a small nation we have to fight alone for some things because others do not listen to us and do not wish to hear us”, President Milanović said in concluding his address.
On the occasion of the 30th anniversary ceremony marking the formation of the 13th Home Guard Regiment “R” Karlovac, the President of the Republic Zoran Milanović made decisions on conferring decorations. For demonstrated prowess by its members in the Homeland War the Order of Nikola Šubić Zrinski is conferred on the 13th Home Guard Regiment “R” Karlovac. For outstanding service to the Republic of Croatia in war, the Order of the Croatian Trefoil is bestowed upon Miroslav Željeznjak. The Order of the Croatian Interlace, for outstanding contribution to the development and reputation of the Republic of Croatia and the welfare of its citizens, is bestowed upon Vilim Lulić, Nikola Bakale, Cvetko Tonkli, Mijo Banjavčić, Marina Bencetić, Damir Vlašić, Damir Tuškan, Rade Gaćeša, Miroslav Župec and Dragan Fudurić, and posthumously upon Vladimir Škrtić and Bruno Majoli. The Homeland War Memorial Medal for participation in the Homeland War is conferred on Dubravko Stavljenić.
Also speaking at the ceremony besides President Milanović were the Assistant Commander for Political Activity during operations of the Regiment Krunoslav Perković, the Mayor of Karlovac Damir Mandić, Karlovac County Deputy County-Prefect Vesna Hajsan Dolinar and delegate of the Deputy Prime Minister and of the Minister of Croatian Veterans’ Affairs retired Major General Dragutin Repinc.
The Special Adviser to the President for Homeland Veterans Marijan Mareković attended the ceremony alongside President Milanović.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Marko Beljan