President Milanović Decorates Croatian Defenders: What you did for Croatia cannot and must not be forgotten
The President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Zoran Milanović bestowed decorations upon Croatian defenders from the Homeland War, the members of the 204th Vukovar Brigade, the 9th Guards Brigade “Vukovi” [Wolves], the 130th Croatian Army Brigade from Osijek, the members of the police force from Vukovar and Križevci, and the special purpose unit from Valbandon.
“Thirty years have passed, another 30 years will pass and the question is how many of us will be here. But what you have done and what you are doing these 30 years for Croatia cannot and must not be forgotten. Glory to all those who are not among us, so they are not forgotten and so we remain faithful to the Homeland,” said President Milanović at a ceremony in the Office of the President. Congratulating the Croatian defenders on their decorations and recognitions, President Milanović said they should have received the accolades earlier, but it is never too late to express gratitude for their honourable participation in the Homeland War. “This is a debt of honour, it is not an everyday event, it is something that will remain etched in memory,” President Milanović emphasized.
Major General Željko Živković (retd) thanked the President of the Republic on behalf of those who were decorated. “Today, we stand here together to share a moment of great honour and pride. These awards are not only a token of individual achievement, but a reflection of the spirit of community and commitment. We feel deeply honoured as we receive these awards, but we are also aware of the responsibility that comes with it. This award is not only our recognition; it is for every soldier who shared the challenging moments with us. Victory came as a result of teamwork and cooperation,” said Major General Željko Živković (retd).
For bravery and heroism displayed in the Homeland War, Milan Čanić was decorated with the Order of Duke Domagoj with Ribbon (posthumously). Zdenko Horvat, Siniša Jakševac, Zlatko Kovačić, Damir Kršić, Nenad Sinković (posthumously), Ivo Ramljak (posthumously) and Josip Kvesić (posthumously) were decorated with the Order of Nikola Šubić Zrinski for a deed of valour in the Homeland War.
Marinko Babić, Mirko Brekalo, Marko Cvitković, Ivan Ćurić, Željko Živanović, Zvonko Milas, Vladimir Urban (MIA), Vladimir Đukić (posthumously) and Franjo Kračak (posthumously) were decorated with the Order of Ban Jelačić for extraordinary successful command of units of the Croatian Armed Forces and for extraordinary military services in their set-up.
Milorad Beg, Goran Štipak and Žarko Lauc were posthumously decorated with the Order of Petar Zrinski and Fran Krsto Frankopan with Gilded Interlace as an honourable sign of the eternal memory of those who died for the Croatian state in war. For being seriously wounded in the Homeland War, Drago Korać, Željko Gobac and Zvonko Kovačić (posthumously) were decorated with the Order of the Croatian Cross.
For extraordinary services to the Republic of Croatia in a state of war and in an immediate threat of war, the Order of the Croatian Trefoil was bestowed upon Ivica Živković, Josip Lovrić, Jelica Pintar, Dragica Borovac and Željko Dodig, and posthumously upon Milan Jurišić, Nikola Tićak, Pavo Majdančić, Miroslav Lovrinić, Davor Grginović, Vjeko Pecirep, Dominko Lovrić, Stipe Krnić, Nikola Zdunić and Kristian Tonković.
For extraordinary contributions to the development and the reputation of the Republic of Croatia, as well as to the welfare of its citizens, the Order of the Croatian Interlace was conferred on Miroslav Pavrlišek, Dalibor Demetar, Ivica Govorušić, Ivana Hećimović Polimanac, Stjepan Crnčić, Stjepan Mekovec, Božo Mrvčić, and Frane Zorić (posthumously).
For their participation in the Homeland War, the Homeland War Memorial Medal was awarded to Mladen Živčić, Tihomir Kolar, Mario Crnjak, Vladimir Abel, Franjo Tibor, Elvis Josip Žunac, Slavko Ćošić, Hrvoje Začkaj, Robert Varga, Dražen Španjol, Darko Plantek, Ninoslav Marić, Robert Gergurec, Franjo Glavati, Aleksandar Černela, Miroslav Bužonja, Željko Blažević, Stjepan Crnčić, Stjepan Vilar, Dražen Drčić and Ivica Premužić.
For honourable and exemplary service, the Homeland Gratitude Memorial Medal was presented to Dario Magić. Nino Perušić was awarded the “Flash” Medal for his participation in the military and police Operation Flash, while Slavko Jakuš was awarded the “Storm” Medal for his participation in the military and police Operation Storm.
President Milanović was accompanied at the ceremony by the Adviser to the President of the Republic for Defense Ivica Olujić, Adviser to the President of the Republic for National Security Dragan Lozančić, Adviser to the President of the Republic for Foreign and European Policy Neven Pelicarić, Adviser to the President of the Republic for Education Jadranka Žarković, Secretary General of the Office of the President of the Republic Dinko Suton, Chief of Protocol of the President of the Republic Dragana Podner, Special Adviser to the President of the Republic for Homeland War Veterans Marijan Mareković, Assistant Head of the Cabinet of the President of the Republic Goran Grobotek, and Aide-de-Camp to the President of the Republic Colonel Vlado Čulina.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Tomislav Bušljeta i Marko Beljan