Poštovana/i čitateljica/čitatelju,
moje ime je Ratko Dragović – Klek, autor sam pet knjiga i fotomonografije koje možete pročitati, pogledati i proživjeti, a koja su autentično svjedočanstvo hrvatskog dragovoljca i branitelja Domovinskog rata i ratnog vojnog invalida.
Ukratko o meni:
Rođen sam 1970. godine u Čakovcu u Međimurju (Hrvatska).
Moj ratni put započinje u travnju 1991. godine, kada se prijavljujem u Ministarstvo unutrašnjih poslova RH te u srpnju 1991 bivam primljen u 1. A brigadu ZNG “Tigrovi”. Za vrijeme Domovinskog rata, do 1995. godine bio sam u 1. A brigadi ZNG „Tigrovi“, 7. gardijskoj brigadi „Pume“ i 156. domobranskoj pukovniji (Makarska) gdje sam prošao sve razine i obnašao dužnosti od gardiste, zapovjednika pješačke desetine, zapovjednika pješačkog voda, zapovjednika izvidničkog voda, zapovjednika pješačke satnije, zamjenika zapovjednika pješačke bojne, načelnika stožera te ujedno i zamjenika zapovjednika gardijske brigade, zapovjednika pukovnije, zapovjednika Zbornog mjesta, zapovjednika Operativne skupine te stožernu dužnost na razini Zbornog područja u Oružanim snagama Republike Hrvatske.
Tijekom Domovinskog rata dodijeljeni su mi činovi poručnika, satnika i izvanredno bojnika 1992. godine, čime sam postao najmlađi bojnik Hrvatske vojske, sa svega 22 godine. Dvije godine kasnije, 1994. unaprijeđen sam u čin pukovnika Hrvatske vojske, čime također postajem jedan od najmlađih pukovnika Hrvatske vojske.
Zbog zasluga u Domovinskom ratu dodijeljena su mi državna odlikovanja Red Nikole Šubića Zrinskog i Red hrvatskog trolista te odličja Spomenica domovinske zahvalnosti i Spomenica Domovinskog rata. Tijekom Domovinskog rata, na Južnom bojištu sam stradao od protupješačke mine, čije posljedice osjećam i danas.
Dear Reader,
I am Ratko Dragović-Klek, the author of five books and photo monograph that offer an insightful portrayal of my experiences as a Croatian volunteer and defender during the Homeland War (1991-1995), as well as my journey as a war invalid.
Allow me to provide a brief overview of my background:
I was born in 1970 in Čakovec, Međimurje (Croatia).
My involvement in the war began in April 1991 when I applied to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Croatia. By July of the same year, I had joined the 1st A Brigade of the ZNG “Tigrovi” (later 1st Guards Brigade “Tigrovi”). Throughout the Homeland War until 1995, I served in various capacities within the 1st A Brigade of the ZNG “Tigerovi”/1st Guards Brigade “Tigrovi”, the 7th Guards Brigade “Pume,” and the 156th Home Guard Regiment (Makarska). My roles included Guardsman, Commander of the Infantry Squad, Commander of the Infantry Platoon, Commander of a Reconnaissance Platoon, Commander of an Infantry Company, Deputy Commander of an Infantry Battalion, Chief of Staff, Deputy Commander of the Guards Brigade, Commander of a Regiment, Commander of an Assembly Post, Commander of an Operational Group, and Staff Duty at the level of an assembly area in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia.
During the Homeland War, I received promotions to the ranks of Lieutenant, Captain, and extraordinary Major in 1992, becoming the youngest Major in the Croatian Army at the age of 22. In 1994, I was further promoted to the rank of Lieutenant colonel, making me one of the youngest Lieutenant colonel in the Croatian Army at that time.
In recognition of my service during the Homeland War and subsequent engagement, I was honored with the Order of Nikola Šubić Zrinski, the Order of the Croatian Trefoil, as well as the Homeland Gratitude Memorial and Homeland War Memorial awards. Tragically, during the conflict, I was injured by an anti-personnel mine on the Southern Front, and the repercussions of this event persist to this day.
Sincerely,
Ratko Dragović-Klek