Citizens throughout the country celebrate the 31st anniversary of Operation Storm

Along with the central commemoration celebrating Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day, the Day of Croatian Defenders and the 31st anniversary of Operation Storm, in Knin on Wednesday, Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day celebrations as well as commemorations for all those who gave their lives for Croatian independence, were held throughout the country on Wednesday.

Among those attending the central commemoration in Knin today was disabled Homeland War veteran, Arsen Jakovac: "We were near Medak when at roughly 2 o'clock we were informed that Knin had been liberated, but we didn't believe it until we got to Knin and saw the flag on the fortress. My heart still trembles to this day."

Speaking from the top of Knin Fortress after the raising of the Croatian flag, Ivana Klarić Kukuz, the daughter of a fallen Croatian defender, reminded of the importance of remembering the heroic events of August 5th: "So that my father's name and the names of all Croatian defenders who gave their lives for their homeland are not forgotten. There is a sadness that I cannot hide, nor do not want to. But, through the years pride has overcome that sadness and somehow everything has fallen into place."

For Danijela Čevra, whose father was also killed during the Serbian aggression of the 1990’s, the visit to Knin held special meaning: "For my father. He was killed in Vukovar at Ovčara in 1991. For his colleagues who died, and all those who will never have the honor of coming here. For my children, my sister, my husband and my mother. I hope he sees us and that he is proud."

In memory of the 243 Croatian soldiers who gave their lives during Operation Storm, and two more that are still listed as missing, as well as for all Croatian defenders and civilians killed during the Serbian aggression, Military Ordinary Monsignor Jure Bogdan served Holy Mass in The Church of Our Lady of the Great Croatian Baptismal Vow in Knin on Wednesday morning.

"Operation Storm achieved its historical goal, the liberation of Croatian regions. But for Christian’s victory is not completed by the liberation of territory, it is completed when freedom becomes a space of justice, peace and love," Mons. Bogdan said in his sermon.

Victory Day celebrations and commemorations were held throughout the country, from the Altar of the Homeland in Zagreb's Medvedgrad and the Memorial Cemetery in Vukovar, to a veterans parade through the streets of Pula in Istra County. The president of Zagreb’s 145th Dubrava Brigade Veterans Association, Ladislav Plantić: "These past seven days we have been visiting the graves of our fallen comrades. So, emotions are mixed. But, today is a celebration, which makes it a little easier. I think every Croatian is proud on this day, because simply put from that day on nothing was ever the same again."

"As volunteers we forged the foundation for Operation Storm, and we were especially proud during those days of the operation because it was truly and exceptional and monumental military victory that finally brought us Croatian independence," noted the president of the Association of Disabled Homeland War Veterans from Vukovar-Srijem County, Stjepan Mađarac.

For Janko Žužić, the president of the HVIDRA Association of Disabled Homeland War Veterans from the City of Pula, August 5th is always an emotional day: "I'm flooded with emotions and memories of that day, because when we heard that our flag was flying atop the Knin fortress our joy knew no end."

Source: HRT