The ceremonial program in Gospić includes a commemoration, Mass, and concert, while wreaths have already been laid and candles lit in Koprivnica for all fallen defenders.
Croatia is marking Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day, Croatian Veterans Day, and 31 years since the military-police operation "Storm." The main celebrations are scheduled for August 5, 2026, in Gospić, but tributes to the fallen are already being paid in other parts of the country. In Koprivnica, wreaths and candles were laid on Monday, August 3.
The Lika-Senj County, in partnership with the Ministry of Croatian Veterans, the City of Gospić, and the Coordination of Associations from the Homeland War, has prepared a detailed schedule for August 5. Veterans will gather at 8:00 AM at Zrinski and Frankopan Square, from where they will depart for Ljubovo at 8:30 AM.
At Ljubovo, a commemoration is scheduled for 9:30 AM at the "Victor" monument. Upon returning to Gospić, wreaths will be laid and candles lit at noon at the Monument to Croatian Veterans and Civilian Victims of the Homeland War, as well as in front of the bust of Dr. Franjo Tuđman at Alojzije Stepinac Square. This will be followed by a Mass for the Homeland at the Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary at 12:30 PM.
For citizens, from 2:00 PM in Kolakovac Park, there will be food distribution and entertainment for all ages. The ceremony concludes with a concert by the band Vigor at Stjepan Radić Square at 9:00 PM, as reported by GS Press Lika.
In Koprivnica, wreaths have already been laid and candles lit at the Monument to Croatian Freedom. Tributes were paid by delegations from the Koprivnica-Križevci County and the City of Koprivnica, representatives of the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of the Interior, the Regional Unit of the Ministry of Croatian Veterans, associations from the Homeland War, as well as families of fallen veterans.
After the official part, a requiem Mass was held at the Parish Church of St. Nicholas the Bishop for all fallen, missing, and deceased Croatian veterans, as reported by Podravski list.
