ZAGREB, March 10, 2018 – Defence Minister Damir Krstičević said on Saturday that the eastern town of Vukovar was a symbol of resistance, defence and victory in the Homeland War, and paid tribute to all Croatian defenders, saying they deserved credit for the fact that the people of Croatia live in peace and freedom.
He was speaking at a commemoration on the occasion of Vukovar Defenders Day, which is observed as of four years ago in memory of 10 March 1991, when about 2,500 unarmed defenders from the former municipality of Vukovar gathered in Bogdanovci.
The commemoration was held under the auspices of President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, whose envoy Ante Deur said the 1991-95 Homeland War “is the foundation of the Croatian state, and Vukovar and the defence of the town something most sacred.”
He called for remembering the sacrifice of all killed and missing defenders, and extended support to the families of the missing.
“We remember 10 March 1991, when unarmed units lined up in Bogdanovci with Tomislav Merčep at the helm, organised by the HDZ. At that time and in that state, it took immeasurable courage to line up in front of the eyes of all the services and informants,” said Vukovar mayor Ivan Penava (HDZ).
Vukovar County prefect Božo Galić said a better Croatia must be built on the foundations of patriotism and the courage of the defenders, and that it must be fought for in the workplace, in harmony and togetherness.
