21st anniversary of the tragedy of Vukovar and Škabrnja

Along with their fellow villagers and people from other Croatian regions, the tribute to Škabrnja victims were also paid by the envoy of the President and the Prime Minister, Defence Minister Ante Kotromanović, envoy of the Parliament Speaker Dragica Zgrebec and other government officials and representatives of local authorities.

The messages sent from the commemoration held at the Franjo Tuđman Square were that the victims from Škabrnja, Vukovar, and all victims from the Homeland War must never be forgotten and that they should always be remembered, that every nation has the right to freedom, and that those who defended themselves could not be subdued. By setting fire to houses and killing proud Škabrnja people who defended their homes, their country, the enemy was trying to destroy their longing for freedom. Unsuccessfully.

“We will never forget Škabrnja. Here in Škabrnja the heroes were fighting. Thank you all. You showed here who you are, how much you love your family, your Homeland, and how to fight for Croatia”, the Defence Minister said, adding that today we grieve, mourn, we remember all the deceased members of the Croatian Armed Forces and civilian victims of the Homeland War. Stressing that justice is attainable; Kotromanović recalled the eruption of joy, love and unity on Friday when the Croatian generals Ante Gotovina and Mladen Markač came back to Croatia.

Dragica Zgrebec stressed that people should remember and mark the days of suffering and victories.

Victims of the Homeland War have deeply indebted us, and we should be proud of them not just today, because as long as we remember them they would live forever, said Mayor of Škabrnja Luka Škara, while Marko Miljanić, first Commander of the Independent Škabrnja Battalion stressed that inhabitants of Škabrnja died at the doors of their homes, giving everything for Croatia and not ask for anything.

After the commemoration, all present headed in silence and full of respect to the local cemetery where numerous delegations paid tribute to those killed in the Homeland War by lighting candles and laying wreaths at the Central Cross and at the Memorial of the killed in the Homeland War.

As part of the commemoration, a Holly Mass was served in the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary by the Zadar Archbishop Monsignor Želimir Puljić, and the tribute to those killed in the war was paid by laying wreath at the Memorial mass grave.

Day of Remembrance of the victims of Vukovar was marked today, Sunday, November 18, with the whole-day program that began in front of the Vukovar hospital and continued with the Remembrance Column that after the march through the streets ended with wreath laying ceremony and with the Holy Mass at the Vukovar Memorial Cemetery of the Homeland War.

President Ivo Josipović, and delegatios of the Croatian Parliament and the Government, led by Josip Leko and Zoran Milanović, then CAF delegation led by Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Drago Lovrić, the delegation of the Police Directorate, 204th Brigade, Coordination of Veterans’ Associations of the Homeland War of Vukovar, representatives of Vukovar city authorities and of Vukovar-Srijem County and from numerous other Croatian cities and all counties jointly laid a wreath at the Monument at the Memorial Cemetery of the Homeland War in Vukovar.

Leading the Holly Mass for all the dead and missing at the Vukovar Memorial Cemetery, the Apostolic Nuncio to the Republic of Croatia, Msgr. Alessandro D’Errico, recalled the suffering of Vukovar and called for directing views toward the future and the strengthening of trust among nations and to build a common future of prosperity and peace.

This year’s program commemorating the destruction of Vukovar lasts from 10 to 24 November, and during those two weeks in Vukovar a series of events were held – photo exhibitions, concerts, scientific and professional meetings, cultural and sporting events.

Croatian Parliament passed in 1999 the decision to designate the November 18 as a Remembrance Day of Vukovar sacrifice in 1991, stating to pay tribute to all the participants of the defence of Vukovar – the symbol of the Croatian freedom in a dignified and appropriate way.

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