A commemoration and a wreath-laying ceremony were held at the top of Sveti Ivan Hill overlooking Dubrovnik on Monday marking the 15th anniversary of the death of U.S. Secretary of Commerce Ronald H. Brown and 35 other passengers aboard the U.S. airplane Boeing 737 which crashed on 3 April 1996 en route from Tuzla to Dubrovnik.
Attending the ceremony, the U.S. Ambassador to Croatia, James Foley, said prayers should be said for the victims of the plane crash and their families and that good and noble things should be done in their honour.
The diplomat said this day was full of emotions and thanked Croatia for continuing together with the United States to observe the anniversary of Brown's tragic death.
He thanked to the Croatian authorities for their efforts invested in the renovation of the magnificent metal monument at the site of the tragic accident.
In attendance of today's ceremony were Croatian and U.S. officials, members of the families of the crash victims, and many friends.
The commemoration and the monument are symbols of strong friendly relations between the USA and Croatia, Foley added.
Wreaths were also laid by Croatian Foreign Ministry State Secretary Mario Nobilo, U.S. Deputy Under Secretary for International Trade Michelle O'Neill, other U.S. delegations and delegations of the City of Dubrovnik as well as representatives of local authorities.
Dubrovnik Airport Director Roko Tolic said the life of Ron Brown and other U.S. proud people, who came to help a war-stricken country, ended here but the implementation of their ideas continued.
Another commemoration will be held later in the day in Dubrovnik.
