Victory Day and Day of National Gratitude, Day of Croatian soldiers and 15th Anniversary of Storm operation

Marking one of the most important days in recent Croatian history, this year was held under the slogan “All Together”. The ceremony started in the early morning by paying tribute to all killed Croatian soldiers and by lighting candles and laying wreaths at the cemetery in Knin. The ceremony of raising the Croatian flag with the intonation of national anthem followed on the Knin fortress with the first time participation of 32 veterans, representatives of the units involved in Storm Operation. The central ceremony was held at the city stadium “NK Dinara” where 13 echelons were lined up. In addition to all three CAF services, there were echelons of the Ministry of Interior, echelon of the Veterans Association of Special Police, echelon of the Association of Veterans’ Guard Brigade of Homeland War, echelon of the Veterans Association of the Home Guard reserve units as well as the echelon of wartime flags.
Ceremonial echelons were inspected by the President of the Republic while the submission was given by Major General Mirko Sundov – Director of the Croatian Military Academy “Petar Zrinski”, followed by the state hymn and a minute of silence in honour to all fallen Croatian defenders.

In their speeches, all the highest state officials pointed out the size and importance of Storm military operation and the historical role of the first Croatian President Dr. Franjo Tudjman.

Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor congratulated on behalf of the Government and pointed out that the August 5 was the date that would be forever engraved in our memories as the day of the greatest pride. She paid tribute to 174 killed and 1430 wounded Croatian defenders in Storm operation inviting everyone that their belief in the Croatian victory would be our strength in times of new challenges. Prime Minister said in Knin that no one would revise the history of Croatia or delete historical truths. “We had a right to defend and liberate and defend our homes. We will not let anyone to touch our sacred things, and the Storm operation is one of them. ”

On behalf of the parliament members, congratulations on the anniversary were sent by the Parliament Speaker Luka Bebic: “Celebrating the Storm Operation, we celebrate you, your courage, determination and professionalism, your success and immense patriotism. Croatia is already 15 years living in full freedom, peace and stability marching towards the future, thanks primarily to you, veterans”. He stressed that the unity and the common goal was crucial in the Storm operation, which eventually led to the military triumph. He expressed disbelief that even today we were still confronted with attempts to discredit our fair, defensive and liberation Homeland War and to challenge the legitimacy of the Storm operation. But this, as the Parliament Speaker said, we will never allow anyone to do it.

Croatian President and Commander in Chief of the CAF, Ivo Josipovic once more emphasized that the Storm operation in a military sense was excellently prepared and the crown of Croatian victory. “Storm represented the largest military operation on European soil after the World War II. It was conducted by all the rules of warfare engagement and in compliance with all international conventions”, President Josipovic said, adding: “History teaches us that we need to do all for Croatia to be a modern and democratic country worthy of veterans who have defended it. We can be proud of our past and we can build future only together.”

Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor then handed over the donation in the amount of 2.5 million kunas for building a “Storm 95” monument of the Croatian victory in the Homeland War, which will be located on a central square in Knin. The central ceremony completed with an air show of the “Wings of Storm” acrobatic group, which, exactly on this site, five years ago, had its first official appearance. They completed the program by MISSING MAN element or flight in formation from which they singled out one plane and in this way paid tribute to all the fallen and missing Croatian defenders.

After the central ceremony at the city stadium, high guests attended the Mass for the Homeland in the Church of Our Lady of the Great Croatian Testament. As part of the celebration, dozens of veteran’s cooperatives presented their products, and citizens were able to visit the information tent with a presentation of the voluntary military service and Kadet projects.