Celebration of 16th Anniversary of “Storm Operation” began in Knin

The day before the central ceremony, August 4, in Knin during the day veterans association represented their products whose stalls and information tent with the presentation of the project to attract new personnel in the afternoon visited the senior civilian and military guests.

Then at the Ante Starcevic Square sixteen children of killed Croatian defenders officially unveiled monument to Croatian Victory Storm ’95, and then the delegation of the Croatian Parliament, Government comprising of the delegations from of MOD, MOI, MOBMS, the Armed Forces and the Police Directorate and the County of Sibenik-Knin County and the City of Knin laid wreaths and lit candles in memory of all fallen Croatian defenders.

This national memorial to the Croatian victory was built with support from the Government and by the preliminary design of the sculptor Peter Dolica, architect Tonka Zaninovic contractor “Grdaitelj svratista” d.o.o. and A.L.U. d.o.o. foundry. The monument lists all units that participated in the Storm Operation, and significant operations carried out by the Croatian army in the Homeland war, and the monument was built in honour of all Croatian defenders and is a unique blend of art, architecture and Croatian history.
President Josipovic on this occasion said that the marking of Storm Operation and unveiling of the monument was one of the most important moments in the Croatian history, adding: “The monuments are part of our memories and our obligation is to future generations remember our glorious history.” Croatian Parliament Speaker Luka Bebic noted that this was not just a monument to Storm Operation, but that it was thanks to generations of Croatian people who have dreamed of a free and independent Croatia.

Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor with special respect welcomed Croatian defenders and families of killed soldiers and particularly noted: “To be able to respect others, we must first respect ourselves and our heroes” saying that she would not allow anyone to review our history and touch our sacred things. She expressed her wish that this memorial would become a national symbol of a sovereign and democratic Croatia, a place of pride from where we send a message that we knew how to defend peace and the future of generations to come.

Mayor of Knin Josipa Rimac said that this monument was a sign of truth and the message we were sending to everyone and in honour of all Croatian veterans. On behalf of children of killed Croatian soldiers Boris Herman said this was a magnificent monument to victory, but also a monument to victims, and that it was just on their responsibility to spread the truth and protect the reputation and honour of those victims and spread the truth about the Homeland War.
The statue was then blessed by Fr Provincial Zeljko Tolic saying the monument was a symbol of Croatian unity for all time.

Then in the Croatian Army Officer’s Club was organized a gala reception for wartime commanders of Storm Operation where Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor once again congratulated all the participants of Storm Operation and their commanders as well as expressing her gratitude to Croatian soldiers who were defending Croatia and have given their lives, emphasizing the role of the first Croatian President Dr. Franjo Tudjman, and recalling the thrill that was caused by the first raise of the Croatian banner on the fortress, after the liberation of the city.

At the newly refurbished main square in the evening the celebration continued with a concert of CAF Symphonic Orchestra and the Navy Band “Sveti Juraj”.