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|  Pictured above: Croatian Chief of Defense, Gen. Josip Lucic, Maj. Gen. Drago Lovric, Maj. Gen. Josip Stojkovic, Brig. Gen. Dragutin Retinc, Brig. Gen. Mate Paden, Lt. Col. Kresimir Trspenjak, Maj.Vesna Ivekovic smile for the camera with Itasca State Park Naturalist Connie Cox and Park Manager Matt Snyder at the Headwaters of the Mississippi.  Minnesota National Guard Adj. Gen., Maj. Gen. Larry Shellito, left, poses with Croatian Chief of Defense, Gen. Josip Lucic at the Headwaters of the Mississippi River at Itasca State Park | Croatian military personnel visit Mississippi headwatersThe stars shone brightly over the Mississippi headwaters on Oct. 24, but they weren't the celestial variety. Six army generals – one American and six Croatian – plus three additional military personnel visited Itasca State Park to see the headwaters of the mighty Mississippi River. The visit was part of a familiarization tour hosted by the Minnesota National Guard and guided by Col. Brendan McAloon. For more than 10 years, the Minnesota National Guard and the Republic of Croatia have had an ongoing partnership, which was initiated by the Department of Defense through the United States European Command in an effort to assist countries like Croatia to advance their global status. Through the partnership, the two countries conduct troop exchanges, allowing soldiers to travel to the partner country for military familiarization during which they experience the other culture, make new friends, and strengthen the bond between the two nations. The trip to Itasca fulfilled the life-long dream of Croatian Chief of Defense, Gen. Josip Lucic, to visit the headwaters of the Mississippi. Park staff photographed the occasion as five military officers mounted the rocks and forded the river. “They were just having a ball,” according to Matt Snyder, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ Itasca State Park manager. “It was good to see them enjoying themselves like that.” Prior to the successful headwaters crossing, Itasca State Park Naturalist Connie Cox gave the group a brief lesson on the park’s geography and history. The soldiers ended their tour with a visit to the Jacob V. Brower Visitors Center, where the soldiers were able to peruse and purchase souvenirs of their visit to Minnesota. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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