Croatia marks Remembrance Day for victims of Vukovar

Croatia marked Remembrance Day for victims of the Homeland War and victims of Vukovar and Škabrnja. The entire country paid tribute to the hero city - Vukovar today. The heroic resistance of the city's defenders lasted 87 days, and on this day members of the Yugoslav People's Army and Serbian paramilitary units entered Vukovar. They tortured and killed women and children, the wounded and the defenders. The crimes committed by the Greater Serbian aggressors at Ovčara had not been seen in the history of modern warfare. Two thousand 719 soldiers and civilians died, and the fate of 374 people is still unknown. All of them were honored in a column of memory from the Vukovar hospital to the Memorial Cemetery, where roses were laid next to the crosses yesterday.

A river of people walked in the column from the Hospital to the Memorial Cemetery. Traditionally at the head of the column with the flag of the 204th Vukovar brigade, was Ante Dugan “Samurai.”

“Once again this year I am leading the column, normally in the echelon of all these flags, and at the head of the column is the flag of the 204th Vukovar brigade,” said Dugan “Samurai.”

Members of the HOS unit from Vukovar were also at the head of the column with other veterans and the families of victims.

“I am glad, but our unity and life together with our brothers in arms makes me even happier. They are the same as us from all brigades, professional and reserve, police and all other units of the Croatian Army. That makes me happiest and is the most important, the love among us and understanding,” said Vukovar HOS commander Zvone Čurković.

The Vukovar column is the central event of commemorations on the Day of Remembrance. This year many Croatian flags could be seen, many military unit flags including many HOS flags. People from throughout Croatia came both young and old.

From the year 2000 no statements are given during the procession of the column as it was decided that heroism of the defenders and all victims are the focus of attention and that all participants are the same from the first to the last.

The entire state leadership was in Vukovar today, numerous politicians from the governing and opposition parties. Vukovar mayor Ivan Penava repeated some of his previous statements, especially about the Independent Democratic Serb Party and their announcement that they will not be in Vukovar or Škabrnja today.

The last commander of the defense of Vukovar, Branko Borković, said that politicians should remain silent on Remembrance Day, but journalists' questions cannot be avoided.

Namely, in recent days topics of debate among politicians included posters created for today's day, members of HOS units that would be at the head of the column of remembrance and requests that members of the Independent Democratic Serb Party do not come to Vukovar to throw a wreath into the Danube.

“Everything I said in the past few days stands, and I think much was said that shouldn't have been said, but today, aside from the politics, we stand in this line,” said Vukovar Mayor Ivan Penava.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said that all Croatian veterans deserve respect.

“Members of HOS also defended Croatia, in the end we said that many times. It was said in legislative framework and it was said in respect for all Croatian veterans. What is most important is that Vukovar must not be a place of division but a place of unity and all are welcome in the column, like they have been all these years,” said Plenković.

Due to accusations from the Homeland Movement and Ivan Penava, members of the Independent Democratic Serb Party did not come to Vukovar today. Penava said that no one divided people according to nationality, but remained in his stance.

“I thank them for listening to me, it’s better that they avoid Vukovar, they only provoke,” said Penava.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković noted that members of the Independent Democratic Serb party had been in the column of remembrance several times before and he doesn't see what has changed from then until now.

Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković noted that much was said in the past few days but today is a day when statements should be made carefully and responsibly.

“We are here today to mark a sacrifice and bow to those who died. Anyone who wants to make something else of this with politics, takes it upon their own soul,” said Social Democratic Party President Peđa Grbin.

Source: HRT