It is the Day of the Croatian Army and the 34th anniversary of its establishment

It is the Day of the Armed Forces, the Day of the Croatian Land Forces and the 34th anniversary of the establishment of the Croatian Army! It is celebrated on May 28, the day when in 1991 the ceremonial review of the National Guard Corps was held at the NK Zagreb stadium in Kranjčevićeva Street and when the first brigades of the ZNG (National Guards Corps) were presented to the Croatian public.

Ceremonial held at the Croatian Army Hall

A ceremony was held at the “Zvonimir” Croatian Army Hall attended by the President of the Republic and Supreme Commander of the Croatian Armed Forces Zoran Milanović, the envoy of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Ivan Anušić, the Chief of General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Tihomir Kundid, and other high-ranking state and military officials.

“Personnel revitalization, modernization and equipping, and the development of new capabilities are three key pillars in the continued development of the Armed Forces, so that they can continue to be sovereign in the implementation of their primary tasks,” said Lieutenant General Tihomir Kundid, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia in his address.

“The Croatian Army is a part and symbol of the Croatian people that is respected, appreciated, and that in the crucial moments of the creation of the Croatian state played a key role in both defense and the creation of state institutions. And therefore, the gratitude of all of us to members of the Croatian Army, police, Croatian defenders, special reverence for the fallen Croatian defenders and their families, and care for Croatian war invalids of the Homeland War - is a permanent task of all state institutions, including the government of the Republic of Croatia,” said Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.

Tribute to fallen defenders

In memory of all the fallen, missing and deceased Croatian defenders, wreaths were laid at the Mirogoj cemetery in the memorial park at the "Voice of the Croatian Victims - Wall of Pain" monument, in front of the Central Cross in the Alley of Fallen Croatian Defenders of the Homeland War, at the grave of the first Croatian president, Dr. Franjo Tuđman, and at the Common Grave for Unidentified Victims of the Homeland War at the Crematorium.

“In the 90s, we gathered as volunteers and practically bare-handed or poorly armed, we went with our heart and will, desire and love for Croatia. To finally establish our own independent state and we managed to do that. Unfortunately, with great sacrifices. Our struggle lasted for 5 full years. We have grown into a serious, strong and powerful armed force today,” said Minister of Defense Ivan Anušić.

Reception at Pantovčak

A ceremonial reception will be held at the President’s office on Pantovčak in the evening. The President of the Republic and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Zoran Milanović will present decorations and promotions to members of the Armed Forces.

On Saturday, a traditional exhibition of weapons and military equipment will be held at the Jarun lake in Zagreb.

Minister Anušić's congratulations

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Ivan Anušić sent a congratulatory message to members of the Croatian Army, Croatian veterans and defense system employees on the occasion of Croatian Army Day and the 34th anniversary of its establishment. He highlighted the continuous development of the Croatian Army – from an unarmed unit in the Homeland War to a modern, efficient and respected military force, equal within NATO.

He stressed the importance of investing in people and equipment, mentioning projects such as the Rafale, Bayraktar, HIMARS and Leopard 2A8, and announcing an increase in defense spending from 2 to 3.5% of GDP. He expressed special gratitude to soldiers in peacekeeping missions around the world, saying that their expertise and dedication strengthen Croatia's security and reputation.

Congratulations from the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces General Kundid

The Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Tihomir Kundid, congratulated all members of the Croatian Army on Armed Forces Day, Croatian Land Forces Day and the 34th anniversary of its establishment. He recalled the historic formation of the National Guard Corps in 1991 in Kranjčevićeva, which marked the beginning of the creation of the victorious Croatian Army.

He highlighted the sacrifice of those killed, missing and wounded in the Homeland War as the foundation of a free Croatia and stressed the importance of permanent remembrance of these values. The Croatian Army, he added, has developed into a modern and capable military force, which is recognized and appreciated in international missions and operations. He especially thanked all members for their professionalism and loyalty to the Homeland.

Source: HRT