President Milanović Attends Ceremony Marking 30th Anniversary of Formation of 101st Croatian National Guard Brigade
The President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Zoran Milanović attended a formal session held on the 30th anniversary of the formation of the 101st Brigade of the Croatian National Guard/Croatian Army.
The ceremony was held at the Susedgrad Centre for Culture and Education in Gajnice. In his address, President Milanović remarked that he came to the anniversary event also because this is a unit from Zagreb. He added that he was touched and felt humble as he looked at slides with photos of people who are no longer with us, referring to the fallen members of the 101st CNG Brigade. “It makes you look down for a moment and wonder where you were. I was not in the war, I was in Zagreb, I worked for Croatia, but I did not carry a rifle. Glory and honour, what more can I say,” said President Milanović.
Moreover, the President underscored that we must stick together even though in a democracy it is not possible to think and speak in the same way. “Arguments can sometimes be productive, but it is important that we agree, that we realize – since there are not many of us – that there is no way for us to succeed and that we don’t stand a chance if we don’t have some basic level of harmony,” the President pointed out.
In reference to the birth of the Croatian state, President Milanović said that we shall forever remember all those who gave their lives in the war. “Let us remember these brave people. In every great story, in every great voyage and adventure, it always comes down to the few good and right people. They defended Croatia. All others were well meaning and observers. Long live our country, let’s give it everything we can, let’s give it a little more than that, but these people we must not forget!” President Milanović said concluding his address.
Also speaking at the ceremony apart from the President of the Republic and Commander in Chief were the President of the 101st Croatian National Guard Brigade Association Sergije Dražić, State Secretary in the Ministry of Croatian Veterans and the Prime Minister’s envoy Darko Nekić, and Member of Parliament and envoy of the Speaker of Parliament Ante Deur. Special Adviser to the President of the Republic for Homeland War Veterans Marijan Mareković joined President Milanović at the event.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Filip Glas