ST. PAUL, MN – Governor Mark Dayton will travel this week to Zagreb, Croatia to recognize and celebrate 20 years of partnership between the State of Minnesota and Croatia. Governor Dayton will depart from Minnesota on Tuesday, June 28, 2016, and will return to the state on Sunday, July 3, 2016. 

 

"Our partnership with Croatia has produced tremendous benefits over the past twenty years, strengthening national security, enhancing economic ties, and growing civic relationships between Minnesota and Croatia," said Governor Dayton. "I was pleased to host President Grabar-Kitarović in St. Paul in January, and I am honored to have been invited to visit Croatia, to celebrate the anniversary of this important partnership."

 

The State Partnership Program between the Minnesota National Guard and Croatia has strengthened national security, as well as economic and cultural ties between Minnesota and Croatia since its inception in 1996. In January 2016, Governor Dayton hosted Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović in St. Paul to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this partnership.

 

During the Governor’s visit, the Minnesota National Guard will be working to remodel and restore the Primary Dubovac Elementary School in Zagreb. Governor Dayton will visit the school, and will meet with key military and government officials throughout the week. A full itinerary for the Governor’s visit is outlined below.

 

 

• Governor Dayton departs for Amsterdam, Netherlands

 

• Governor Dayton arrives and overnights in Amsterdam, Netherlands

 

• Governor Dayton travels from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Zagreb, Croatia

• Attends 4th of July celebration hosted by U.S. Ambassador to Croatia, Julieta Valls Noyes at the U.S. Embassy

 

• Visits Dubovac Elementary School for an official ribbon cutting ceremony with U.S. Ambassador to Croatia Julieta Valls Noyes

• Participates in military ceremony celebrating Minnesota’s 20-year partnership between the Minnesota National Guard and the Croatian military; ceremony will include Minnesota and Croatian military leaders

• Visits Domobranska Barracks to attend “Serving Our Troops” meal

 

• Visits Croatia’s Presidential Palace for a reception with President Kolinda Grabar Kitarović; Governor Dayton will receive an award on behalf of Minnesota – the Croatian Award for Foreign Support to Croatia; 

• Visits Croatia’s Ministry of Defense for a Bilateral Meeting and attend reception to discuss Minnesota’s partnership with Croatia

 

• Governor Dayton departs Croatia, arrives in Minnesota

 

The following delegation of Minnesota National Guard representatives will accompany Governor Dayton and General Nash on the visit to Croatia:

 

• Ms. Jennie Maes, Senior Aide to the Governor 

• Mr. Linden Zakula, Deputy Chief of Staff

 

Minnesota National Guard Headquarters 

• Major General Neal Loidolt, 34th Infantry Division Commanding General 

• Colonel Kevin Olson, Director of Communications 

• Major Clay Forbes, International Affairs Officer

• Captain Eric Lewanski, Aide De Camp to Major General Nash, 

• Command Sergeant Major Doug Wortham, Senior Enlisted Advisor 

• Mrs. Lori Wortham

• Staff Sergeant John Angelo, Photographer/Public Affairs

 

Former Minnesota National Guard Adjutant General 

• Commissioner Larry Shellito  

• Mrs. Evonne Shellito

 

Former Minnesota National Guard Bilateral Affairs Officers 

• Colonel (Retired) John Pearson

• Colonel (Retired) Greg Scofield

• Mrs. Deb Scofield

• Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Ron Sackett

• Mrs. Nikolina Sackett

• Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Jody Gunlock

• Mrs. Diane Gunlock

• Major Christopher Lotzow

• Mrs. Gwendolyn Lotzow 

 

“Serving Our Troops” 

• Mr. Pat Harris

• Mrs. Laura Harris

• Ms. Nancy Hass

• Mr. John Tinucci

• Mrs. Carrie Tinucci

• Mr. John Marshall

• Mr. Matt Anfang

• Mr. Ted Davis

• Mrs. Andrea Casselton

• Mr. Ted Johnson 

• Mrs. Lisa Johnson

• Mr. Todd Hurley

• Mrs. Kim Hurley

• Mr. Pat Flynn

• Ms. Marguerite Harvieux

• Dr. Cyrus Mahmoodi

• Dr. Elham Mahmoodi

• Mrs. Kandis Angelo

• Mr. Dennis Hall

• Mr. Matthew Lacy

• Mr. Peter Skinner

 

Governor Dayton’s visit to Croatia is the culmination of events commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the State Partnership Program between Minnesota and Croatia. The State Partnership Program supports U.S. national interests and security cooperation goals by engaging Croatian partners via military, socio-political and economic conduits at the local, state and national level. The Minnesota National Guard supports Croatian contributions and capabilities for peacekeeping, humanitarian relief and search-and-rescue operations. This partnership has assisted in the development and interoperability of Croatia's Armed Forces. 

 

Since the partnership was formed in 1996, Minnesota and Croatia have participated in more than one-hundred bilateral military and civilian engagements. The program has created partnerships that include the efforts of many organizations and individuals such as private firms, civic organizations and non-profit agencies to name a few. The state partnership is a mutual alliance with planning committees in both Minnesota and the Republic of Croatia who work together in a cooperative effort to improve and enrich the lives of everyone it touches. Croatian military leaders have credited this State Partnership Program with helping their country prevail as North Atlantic Treaty Organization member in 2009 and into the European Union in 2013. 

 

The Minnesota-Croatia State Partnership Program has greatly progressed from small military exchanges to overseas deployments of Operational Mentoring Liaison Teams to Afghanistan and much more. The partnership fosters mutual interests and establishes long-term relationships across all levels of society.