A sports gathering was held in Podstrana ahead of the 31st anniversary of Operation Storm. Veterans revealed a sad fact, in the last month alone, they buried eight comrades.
Around a hundred Croatian veterans gathered on Sunday, August 3, 2026, in the Mutogras recreational zone in Podstrana for a sports gathering as part of the 'Operation Storm 2026 Celebration.' The main organizer of the sports segment was Captain Dragan Maretić, a member of the legendary 4th Brigade of the Croatian Army and president of the Committee for War Veterans of Split-Dalmatia County. The gathering, supported by Split-Dalmatia County and the Municipality of Podstrana, was marked by camaraderie, but also sorrow over the dwindling number of comrades.
While fierce battles were fought on the field in bocce, briškula, trešeta, and šijavica, the word 'old-timer' was often heard among the veterans. A special atmosphere was provided by the red sombrero of veteran Pajo Pavlović from Sinj, which served as a 'bowl' for drawing slips of paper with team names. However, despite the years and illnesses, the spirit of unity has not faded.
Marko Rogić, secretary of the Veterans' Association of the 72nd Military Police Battalion, shared the concerning data with a touch of nostalgia. 'These gatherings are great, but there's also sadness when we meet and realize there are fewer and fewer of us. In the last month alone, we buried eight comrades,' Rogić told Slobodna Dalmacija.
Colonel Ivan Mršić of the 4th Brigade shares similar thoughts, adding: 'We're getting older, slowly but surely. But we get together, and that's what matters most.' His words are echoed by other veterans, who have even dropped five-a-side football from the sports disciplines due to age.
'You've got to have a bit of fun, and yes, we're old. That's why we removed five-a-side football from the categories,' the warriors said.
The competitive part brought together eight teams in bocce, with special attention drawn by the only woman in the tournament, Ivanka Drviš, secretary of the Veterans' Association of the 156th Brigade Makarska-Vrgorac. Her team, consisting of Tonči Radalj, Josip Grabovac, and Ivica Lendić, put up a good fight but ultimately lost by a narrow margin of 8:7. 'We held our own, but then lost by a single point, 8:7!' Drviš said.
Playing for the Split-Dalmatia County team was Damir Gabrić, head of the County Administrative Department for Croatian Veterans, Civil Protection, and Human Rights. 'How are we doing? Great, it's tough, but we from the County don't give up,' Gabrić said, adding that they suffered a defeat against the veterans of the 4th Guards Brigade. He was joined by Captain Dragan Maretić, Colonel Mirko Čondić, and Captain Milan Klarić.
The most successful were the 'Fourth Brigade' veterans. The team of Zlatko Madir Goldi, Željko Janković, Mario Lendić, and Milan Mujan took first place in bocce, with Janković also named the tournament's best player. Second place went to HVIDR-a Sinj (Jure Župa, Luka Kokeza, Marko Plazonja, Joško Romić Jota), while the bronze went to the hosts from the Podstrana Association (Ivan Lisica, Mladen Perišić, and Mayor Mijo Dropuljić).
In šijavica, Mirko and Zora Čondić triumphed, while in briškula and trešeta, the best were Slavomir Deak and Žarko Čokljat.
Mirko Ramljak, coach of the Coordination of Veterans' Associations of the City of Split team, didn't chase the bocce ball under the sun that blazed until 8 PM. 'I'm the coach! The players are Ante Glavina, Boris Listeš, and Veljko Listeš!' Ramljak justified his role, throwing a 'provocation' at the county politicians who wanted to play only after the sun went down.
Ante Lučić, nicknamed Paraga, a member of the HOS '9th Battalion Rafael Vitez Boban,' explained the essence of such gatherings: 'To see each other, chat a bit, and remember those war days.' Residents of Solin recalled the heat during 'Operation Storm': 'It was this hot during the Storm too, but back then we didn't complain; nothing bothered us. And look at us today, we've aged...'
Zdravko Galić, vice-president of the Podstrana Municipal Council and head of Split's HVIDR-a, emphasized the importance of such gatherings for exchanging information among comrades. 'We need these gatherings to exchange a word or two with comrades and ask about their health. And no politics, please!' Galić said.
Still, many quietly commented that even 35 years after Operation Storm, the state is not as they had hoped. County Prefect Blaženko Boban, although announced to play for the Split-Dalmatia County team, did not play because he was in Imotski with Prime Minister Andrej Plenković. His deputies Ante Šošić and Stipe Čogelja were present and warmly welcomed.
After the sports segment, the gathering continued with a concert by klapa 'Cambi,' Alen Nižetić, and the band 'No name.' Guests also arrived from Livno, members of the veterans' association 'Sektor Korićina' with president Božo Križan, and everyone recalled the war days and the heat that didn't bother them during 'Operation Storm' on August 5, 1995.
