20th anniversary of Skabrnja suffering
The 20th anniversary of Skabrnja suffering and Memorial Day of Skabrnja victims, both civilians and soldiers who were killed or died during the Homeland War was commemorated today, November 18, by laying wreath at the Memorial mass grave and at the Central Cross on the local cemetery.
Croatian President, in his letter, which was read by his representative, Lieutenant General Slavko Baric, called 18 November 20 years ago the saddest day in history of Ravni Kotari and suffering of Skabrnja and other smaller places as an unprecedented war crime. “The suffering of your village and the heroic resistance of veterans will remain forever enrolled in Croatian history”, President of the Republic of Croatia wrote in a letter. He noted that it is our permanent commitment insisting that war criminals are brought to justice. “Punishing the guilty would not heal the wounds, but would certainly alleviate them”.
Josip Friscic, the envoy of the Croatian Parliament Speaker remembering the Skabrnja victims said that the village has been renovated, but that “the wounds of the heart and soul do not cure with this projects and programs. The cure for them is justice. Criminals have a name and eventually the hand of justice will reach them”, Friscic said.
On behalf of the Prime Minister, her envoy Minister Bozidar Kalmeta, paid tribute to Skabrnja victims and their families. “Once a year we commemorate, but every day we remember the suffering of Skabrnja, heroic place, killed innocent heroes, destroyed and burned houses and churches”, Kalmeta said, adding that the love of our people for the homeland and the family was stronger than any force. He said that free, independent and democratic Croatia, which will soon become a full member of the European Union owe it to the veterans who have paid tremendous sacrifice.
Mayor of Skabrnja Luka Skara, Commander of the Independent Battalion Skabrnja in 1991 Marko Miljanic and Zadar County Prefect Stipe Zrilic also talked about Skabranja sacrifice.
In commemoration of the 20th anniversary in the church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary concelebrated Mass was served led by the archbishop of Zadar Msgr Zelimir Puljic. “Today we gathered to remember all those who gave their lives for the homeland, their families, to remember Croatia in those days when we were left alone to win”, Msgr Puljic said.
Vukovar and Skabrnja are the symbol of suffering and the painful reminder of all the victims who fell for the free and independent Croatia. He also said that today Skabrnja was making progress, it was opening to life, which was a sign of eternal victory over suffering and war.
After laying wreaths at the cemetery, the children of deceased soldiers released 98 doves in memory of the deceased and killed soldiers and civilian victims in Skabrnja whose names have been engraved on the memorial.
Representative of the President General Baric and representatives of the Croatian Parliament visited Tomica Karlic whose four sons, of whom three were Croatian soldiers, were killed during the Homeland War.
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