Milanović thanked the veterans for all they did for the free and independent Croatia and recalled that they went to war barehanded.
Every Croatian warrior will say that those from Zagorje were the best fellow fighters, as organised and brave men, he said.
“Thirty years ago, this was a job only for the brave, the bold, for the small number of good men, the few right guys, that’s you.”
Milanović said it was necessary to talk about the war for the sake of young people, so that they did not forget the war’s lessons and all the horrible things that occurred.
“We see that there are those in the region today who act as if they overslept these 30 years… as if nothing is clear to them. They haven’t told their children enough of the truth. The truth sometimes hurts. However, it shouldn’t hurt us and you, Croatian soldiers and veterans,” he added.
The 103rd Brigade’s wartime commander, Žarko Miholić, said more that 11,000 inhabitants of Krapina-Zagorje County were in war units, including almost 7,000 in the 103rd Brigade, which had eight dead.
State secretary Špiro Janović, speaking as the prime minister’s and the war veterans minister’s envoy, said the best Croatia had in 1991 went to defend their country. “What was the best in ’91, and that’s you, is the best also today, and that’s why you are the pledge for this country to be even better, prouder, braver and more honest.”
Krapina-Zagorje County head Željko Kolar veterans were greatly contributing to society also today, when there were new challenges.
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