President Milanović at ceremony marking establishment of 7th Guards Brigade Brigade “Pumas”: You were like mountain lions when Croatia was being liberated
“This glorious brigade was the only brigade formed in a region that was far from the battlefield, all others were closer or on the very battlefield. Primarily sons and daughters from the Croatian Kajkavian region joined the brigade, and by participating in the war, tghey showed all that Croatia represents”, the President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Zoran Milanović stated at a ceremony marking the 31st anniversary of the establishment of the 7th Guards Brigade “Pumas” in Varaždin.
“I was told that when the brigade was formed there was contention as to whether it should be called pumas and what exactly are pumas. Some other brigades were named after big cats, however a positive irony of fate would have it that the “Pumas” should prove themselves at their peak in the mountainous crags of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the last phase of the war”, he said, explaining that puma is another name for mountain lion.
“You demonstrated to what extent you were mountain lions in the areas where Croatia was being liberated, namely in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and this must never be forgotten because it enabled the signing of the peace agreement, which to this day is still and will remain in force. Without it there would be no peace in BiH”, President Milanović underlined, referring to the Dayton Peace Agreement which ended the war in BiH.
No air force and no bombing of enemy positions would bring victory without the Croatian soldier on the ground. You can be proud because the “Pumas” made a huge contribution and their fighters laid down their lives”, President Milanović added, and congratulated the members of the “Pumas” wishing them to be successful and ambitious in their goals and achievements, and loyal to the Homeland as they have been to date.
Speaking at the ceremony in addition to President Milanović were the commander of the 2nd Armoured Mechanized Battalion “Pumas” Major Krunoslav Slabinec, State Secretary and Envoy of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Zdravko Jakop, and the Chief of the General Staff of the CAF Admiral Robert Hranj.
Prior to the ceremony President Milanović laid a wreath and lit a candle at the memorial to the fallen Homeland War defenders in St. George’s chapel. Berets were also presented to the new members of the “Pumas” Brigade.
Alongside President Milanović was the Special Adviser to the President for Homeland War Veterans Marijan Mareković, the Adviser to the President for Defense Ivica Olujić and the Aide-de-camp to the President Vlado Čulina.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Tomislav Bušljeta