4th Guards Brigade celebrates 28 years

The legendary 4th Guards Brigade, a unit from the Homeland War, marked their 28th anniversary on Sunday with ceremonies in Split and Knin.

A central part of the day's celebrations included the renaming of the "King Zvonimir" military barracks in Knin, in honour of the famed brigade. Defence Minister Damir Krstičević said the "King Zvonimir" barracks had been named in recognition of the city's thousand-year-old history, while the new name honours the 4th Guards Brigade for their role in liberating Knin during Operation Storm.

Minister Krstičević, a commander of 4th Guards Brigade during the Homeland War, said the unit, who don iconic red berets, enjoyed a military reputation of "victory, patriotism, professionalism, and heroism." And for this, he said, the entire country was proud. "We are the symbol of Split and Dalmatia," he concluded.

"First of all, this is an emotional time; a time where we think of our fallen friends and veterans," said Mirko Šunov, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces and himself a wartime leader of the 4th Guards Brigade. "We will always remember them, their names, and the things they accomplished," he said, "It is our duty to them and their families to give thanks and praise; while keeping their memories alive."

More than 7,000 soldiers fought with the 4th Guards Brigade; 195 fell in battle, while 4 are still listed as missing.

Source: HRT