15th anniversary of the “Flash” military operation
By reveilles performed by the CAF Orchestra in Okucani through the streets, by paying the honour to all fallen Croatian defenders and by solemn aligning of the CAF and Police, a 15th anniversary of the “Flash” military operation was commemorated on May 1, in which only in about thirty hours back then occupied territory of Western Slavonia was liberated.
On that occasion, the President of the Republic of Croatia and Commander-in-Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Ivo Josipovic, a delegation led by the Parliament Speaker Luka Bebic, the delegation of the Government led by the Prime Minister Kosor together with representatives of the associations from the Homeland War, followed by representatives of the Croatian Armed Forces led by Chief of General Staff General Josip Lucic and the delegation of the police directorate headed by the Director-General Oliver Grbic and representatives of counties and municipalities of Brodsko-Posavska County and Okucani municipality laid wreaths at the Central Cross in the Memorial Park of Croatian Knights in Okucani.
High civil and military guests and citizens then gathered at the football stadium Psunj – Sokol where a line-up ceremony of CAF members, members of the Ministry of Interior and volunteers was held and where the highest state officials addressed the present.
On behalf of the Government Prime Minister Kosor thanked for the brilliantly performed Flash Operation. She particularly thanked those who were killed in the operation because they built their lives into the foundations of the Croatian state. She thanked forty-two families whose members were killed and hundred and sixty two participants who were wounded in the operation noting that it is our permanent commitment and obligation to take care of them. “Flash was a decisive response of the Croatian state to aggressor, it showed maturity and ability of Croatia and its armed forces and freedom-loving aspirations of the Croatian people”. PM reminded that in just 36 hours, 500 square kilometres of the Croatian territory was liberated, highway connecting the central Croatia and Slavonia unblocked, and the path towards a final victory over the politics of hate and destruction was opened. He reiterated that the Homeland War was just, defensive and liberating, and Flash Operation was a brilliant action.
Prime Minister also mentioned the current economic situation and the measures taken by the Government and stressed that this was once again the time for bold and decisive, and that we should not give up, but to draw strength from our victories.
On behalf of the Croatian Parliament, the Flash Operation’s participants were welcomed by Parliament Speaker Luka Bebic pointing out that Croatia, on its territory, won a victory and defended its homeland and added: “Today we are no longer alone but we are a member of NATO and we have become a member of NATO as we won our freedom thanks to our own capabilities and no one can lessen the winning spirit that is alive even today”.
“All of you deserve our greatest gratitude and you’ll have it,” said to members of the Croatian Armed Forces President of the Republic and Commander-in-Chief Ivo Josipovic recalling the historical role of the first Croatian President Franjo Tudjman and all participants in the operation which, as he said, was conducted in compliance with all international laws. Referring to the current economic situation, the President said that in implementing economic reforms we need unity and determination as in the war and ended saying: “Thank you for everything you have done to defend our Homeland, freedom and prospects that you provide to us.”
The central ceremony of marking the 15th anniversary of the “Flash” operation ended with a short parachute program of the Special Operations Battalion.
The president then visited the weapons’ display in use in the Croatian Armed Forces and MOD info stalls, where he was presented with projects of attracting new personnel – Cadet and voluntary military service.
For all killed Croatian soldiers and civilian casualties in the war, a memorial service was held in the Sv. Vid Church led by the Military Ordinary Josip Jezerinac.